In the Reith Lectures this year Hilary Mantel discusses what is at the heart of good historical fiction, our relationship with the past, and the central elements in a historical novelist’s attempt to bring the past alive for us today. As Mantel herself says ‘The reason you must stick by the truth is that it is better, stranger, stronger, than anything you can make up.’
Below are links to the complete series of her lectures, the podcasts as well as transcripts.
and, if you don’t have time to listen or read the lot, in summary
Catherine Meyrick 
We caught parts of them when we were in the car, listening to the radio. Fantastic.
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Yes, they were wonderful and provide so much to think about for anyone with a love of historical fiction whether they are a reader or a writer. I have enjoyed some of Hilary Mantel’s contemporary fiction too – Eight Months on Ghazzah Street is a particularly chilling novel.
It seems, unfortunately, that we be waiting a while yet for the last Cromwell book
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I am missing pages 1 and 2 of the transcript for 2017.
Hilary Mantel interviewed by Sue Lawley.
Page 3 starts :- Two Catherine’ brothers.
I would love to have the first two pages – but how
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I presume you are referring to the first lecture, The Day is for Living. I scrolled down to the Lecture transcript and found no problem with the lecture opening at page one. I am using a desktop, not a phone – perhaps that is the problem?
I can’t really help any further as the lecture is on the BBC website. I only provide the link to it.
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Thank you for responding s quickly. I use a laptop so I shall try again. Thank you again
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Dear Catherine
Thanks again. I have now the proud owner of the two missing pages. Simple when you know how. Thanks again Michael Stichbury
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Glad to have been able to help, Michael. It is an excellent series of lectures.
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