I thought it was a glorious thing to be a critic and to be a literary editor, and one was really doing something that mattered: to keep up standards, to take books seriously. Claire Tomalin bookcriticeditor Change image and share on social
I'm interested in history, in trying to relate the past to the present and to understand how people thought about their problems and pleasures. Claire Tomalin historyinterestpast Change image and share on social
The book doesn't end when you finish writing it. Claire Tomalin bookendfinish Change image and share on social
I enjoyed the whole process of learning and was always happy when autumn came and school or college started up again. Claire Tomalin autumncollegeenjoy Change image and share on social
I fell in love with Shakespeare when I was 12, and I read the whole works. Yes, I was precocious. Claire Tomalin fallloveprecocious Change image and share on social
Most writers can tell stories of how their books failed to be made into films. Claire Tomalin bookfailfilm Change image and share on social
Biographers search for traces, for evidence of activity, for signs of movement, for letters, for diaries, for photographs. Claire Tomalin activitybiographerdiary Change image and share on social
I was working at the 'Evening Standard' when I heard that there was a job going as deputy literary editor on the 'New Statesman.' I remember thinking, 'That's perfect.' It was three days a week, and I had children, but I could make that work - so I applied for it and got it. Claire Tomalin applychildday share on social
Dickens was a part of how the whole celebration of Christmas as we know it today emerged during the 19th century. Claire Tomalin 19thcelebrationcentury Change image and share on social
I've behaved badly in my life. I hope I haven't behaved as badly as Dickens! In a way, if you're a woman, you're not in a position to behave as badly, because you don't have the economic power. Claire Tomalin badlybehavedicken Change image and share on social
