News

The Writer Abroad

My next book, The Writer Abroad, is being published by British Library Books in February 2017. I’ve just received my first author copy and it looks beautiful, with such a gorgeously tactile cover. It is an anthology of historic travel writing and shows how much our view of the world has changed as travel and … Read more

“India would have inspired Dickens”

I’m excited to be speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival this month. I’ve just been reminded of an interview I did for The Times of India, when I was travelling there in 2011. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/India-would-have-inspired-Dickens/articleshow/8333050.cms

Radio NZ interview 7 Jan 2017

This weekend I was interviewed (by the magic of Skype) by Lynn Freeman on Radio NZ. We talked about my book Charles Dickens and his Circle. You can listen to it here, wherever you are in the world. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-weekend/audio/201829405/charles-dickens’-great-great-great-granddaughter

Charles Dickens and the Women Who Made Him

My article for The Guardian, on Charles Dickens and the women in his life. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/apr/06/charles-dickens-and-the-women-who-made-him

Malton Dickens Festival

In December, we had another successful Dickens festival in the pretty Yorkshire town of Malton – where Charles Dickens’ younger brother, Alfred, lived. This photo is from our Saturday night panel at the Milton Rooms, on stage with Professor John Bowen (York University) and the brilliant Miriam Margolyes, both of whom gave superb performances. The … Read more

Walking Dickens’s London

Download my walking tour of London in the footsteps of Charles Dickens https://voicemap.me/tour/london/charles-dickens-from-furnival-s-inn-to-doughty-street  

Front Row on BBC Radio 4

An amazing review of Bitten By Witch Fever on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row. It starts just after minute 15. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08558np

Huffington Post’s Top 8 History Books

My new book for Thames & Hudson, Bitten By Witch Fever, was chosen by the Huffington Post as one of their eight best history titles of 2016. It traces the story of arsenic in the Victorian home, a poison which was used widely to create vibrant colours for wallpaper, furnishing textiles, clothes and even food … Read more

Guardian Books Podcast

Listen to my podcast for Guardian Books, talking about arsenic in the Victorian home and my latest book, Bitten By Witch Fever, with Claire Armitstead. It starts at minute 3. https://www.theguardian.com/books/audio/2016/dec/23/ruth-padel-and-lucinda-hawksley-books-podcast?CMP=share_btn_fb