A Chat with Paula Byrne
In my latest interview, I’m in conversation with the bestselling author, Paula Byrne, about her latest biography, Hardy Women.
Click the play button below to listen to my conversation with Paula Byrne.
An acclaimed biographer, Paula Byrne has written about many famous writers, including Jane Austen and Barbara Pym. As a huge fan of Paula’s wonderful books, as well as Thomas Hardy’s novels and poetry, I was engrossed by Hardy Women.
In this book, Paula examines the life of the Dorset novelist from cradle to grave, but she takes the fascinating approach of looking at Hardy’s life through the lens of the women that influenced him and the famous fictional heroines that he created.
Paula reveals the complex relationship Hardy had with women, and in our conversation we dive into further detail about his relationship with his first wife, Emma Hardy, and Hardy’s obsession with his most famous character, Tess Durbeyfield.
Knowing that my Seasons of Story community has been reading Under the Greenwood Tree, Paula also told me a bit about the women who inspired Fancy Day’s character, the grim reality of a teaching career for Victorian women and the ways in which Under the Greenwood Tree had autobiographical elements for Hardy.
I hope you enjoy our conversation!
Episode links:
Hardy Women by Paula Byrne
Six Weeks by the Sea by Paula Byrne
Thank you for listening! If you know a friend who loves classic literature, then do spread the love and share this interview with them ❤️
Please note: affiliate links used for Blackwells.
