'A Christmas Carol' has been described as the most perfect of Dickens's works and as a quintessential heart-warming story, and it is certainly the most popular. Claire Tomalin carolchristmasdicken Change image and share on social
I have been left-wing always, from childhood. Claire Tomalin childhoodleavewing Change image and share on social
Simon Russell Beale is an incomparable speaker of Shakespeare and a superb all-round actor. Claire Tomalin actorbealeincomparable Change image and share on social
The thing I love about Rome is that is has so many layers. In it, you can follow anything that interests you: town planning, architecture, churches or culture. It's a city rich in antiquity and early Christian treasures, and just endlessly fascinating. There's nowhere else like it. Claire Tomalin antiquityarchitecturechristian share on social
I sometimes think that, since I started writing biographies, I've had more of a life in books than I have had in my real life. Claire Tomalin biographybookhave Change image and share on social
I have been fascinated by Dickens worshippers who strenuously deny that he did anything wrong in relation to his wife, even though the record is clear that he did. Claire Tomalin cleardenydicken Change image and share on social
'Words and Music' on Radio 3 is always a treat. Actors read passages of poetry and prose interspersed with music, and nobody tells you what it is. Later you can look it up online, but at the time you can't cheat. Claire Tomalin actorcheatintersperse share on social
As he approached his 28th birthday in February 1840, Dickens knew himself to be famous, successful and tired. He needed a rest, and he made up his mind to keep the year free of the pressure of producing monthly installments of yet another long novel. Claire Tomalin 28thapproachbirthday share on social
Poetry was one of the things that interested me most as I was growing up. I used to write it in my head all the time. I still think the very greatest pleasure in life is to write a poem. Claire Tomalin greatgrowhead Change image and share on social
Today's children have very short attention spans because they are being reared on dreadful television programmes which are flickering away in the corner. Claire Tomalin attentionchildcorner Change image and share on social
