When I kept a diary, I realised that it was all moanings and depression, and I think that is quite common. Claire Tomalin commondepressiondiary Change image and share on social
Everyone finds their own version of Charles Dickens. The child-victim, the irrepressibly ambitious young man, the reporter, the demonic worker, the tireless walker. The radical, the protector of orphans, helper of the needy, man of good works, the republican. The hater and the lover of America. The giver of parties, the magician, the traveler. Claire Tomalin ambitiouscharlechild share on social
Essentially, I spent most of my childhood with my mother and my older sister, and I suppose I had rather a romantic vision of how things might be if there were men around; I saw myself in a country house with six children and a garden. That has never been achieved - and I still regret it. Claire Tomalin achievechildchildhood share on social
'Philomena' was even better than I had expected. I was so pleased to see the evil Irish nuns thoroughly exposed, and I thought Judi Dench gave a flawless performance, as did everybody else. Claire Tomalin denchevilexpect Change image and share on social
I would like to have a more social life than I have. Claire Tomalin lifesocial Change image and share on social
Historians will handle a much wider range of sources than a biographer and will be covering a broader spectrum of events, time, peoples. Claire Tomalin biographerbroadcover Change image and share on social
When I wrote about Mary Wollstonecraft, I found that here she was, in the late 18th century, going to work for the 'Analytical Review.' What was the 'Analytical Review?' It was a magazine that dealt with politics and literature. Claire Tomalin 18thanalyticcentury share on social
It's a difficult thing to lose a child, a grown-up child. Claire Tomalin childdifficultgrow Change image and share on social
I think it's about as likely Jane Austen was gay as that she was found out to be a man. Claire Tomalin austenfindgay Change image and share on social
After Shakespeare, Dickens is the great creator of characters, multiple characters. Claire Tomalin charactercreatordicken Change image and share on social