The novelist has a responsibility to adhere to the facts as closely as possible, and if they are inconvenient, that's where the art comes in. You must work with intractable facts and find the dramatic shape inside them. Hilary Mantel adhereartclosely share on social
Much historical fiction that centers on real people has always been deficient in information, lacking in craft and empty in affect. Hilary Mantel affectcentercraft Change image and share on social
What really disconcerts commentators, I suspect, is that when they read historical fiction, they feel their own lack of education may be exposed; they panic, because they don't know which bits are true. Hilary Mantel bitcommentatordisconcert share on social
When you get fat, you get a new personality. You can't help it. Complete strangers ascribe it to you. Hilary Mantel ascribecompletefat Change image and share on social
I once dreamed a whole short story. Wrapped in its peculiar atmosphere, as if draped in clouds, I walked entranced to my desk at about 4 A.M. and typed it on to the screen. Hilary Mantel atmosphereclouddesk Change image and share on social
I would have been a disaster as a career politician. I would never have toed a party line. Hilary Mantel careerdisasterline Change image and share on social
Hindsight is the historian's necessary vice. Hilary Mantel hindsighthistorianvice Change image and share on social
Insights don't usually arrive at my desk, but go into notebooks when I'm on the move. Or half-asleep. Hilary Mantel arriveasleepdesk Change image and share on social
I dislike pastiche; it attracts attention to the language only. Hilary Mantel attentionattractdislike Change image and share on social
When I was thin, I had no notion of what being fat is like. When I worked in a department store, I had sold clothes to women of most sizes, so I should have known; but perhaps you have to experience the state from the inside, to understand what fat is like. Hilary Mantel clothedepartmentexperience share on social
