Episode 10
Jeanette Winterson, Dame Jacqueline Wilson and The Countess of Carnarvon join Mariella
An eclectic mix of ladies in literature join Mariella this week, as author Jeanette Winterson, former Children's Laureate Dame Jacqueline Wilson, and The Countess of Carnarvon talk about their latest books.
Also on the show, we talk to Lee Evans and Andrew Marr bout why people queue for hours for book signings, Brian Sewell pays a visit to the Book Doctor, and we ask whether book critics can really affect an author's chance of success.
THE BOOK SHOW – THURSDAYS 8pm ON SKY ARTS 1 HD
Stepping into the spotlight first is northern novelist Jeanette Winterson, who proves that real life can be stranger than fiction. At age 25 she released her first autobiographical novel, Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit, about a girl who's adopted parents expect her to become a missionary, and when instead she falls in love with a girl they attempt to have her exorcised. Now, 26 years later, Jeanette has written the book's non-fiction companion. She divulges details on The Book Show about her adoptive mother's tyrannical reign and how books became a refuge for her.
From one challenging childhood, to another who is famous for writing about them. Dame Jacqueline Wilson has made her name writing about emotional issues such as abuse, adoption and grief in her popular children's literature, and with her latest book she has once again returned to the Victorian-era story of Hetty Feather. She talks to Mariella about why she decided to deviate from her usual contemporary setting, and whether writing for children gets harder as she gets older.
Our final guest runs affairs at Highclere Castle in Berkshire, the magnificent setting of the hit television series Downton Abbey. The Countess of Carnarvon, fascinated with her Carnarvon lineage, delved into the details of her predecessors in his latest book to discover the remarkable story of Lady Almina and The Real Downton Abbey. The Countess opens a window on life in the castle during the same period as the TV show.
Fitting with the theme, Downton’s very own Elizabeth McGovern (Lady Grantham) swaps pomp for pop to perform with her band Sadie And The Hotheads.
VIDEO: Sadie and The Hotheads perform One Thing Leads To Another
