Novelist Philippa Gregory credits reading 100 of the best 18th-century novels as the perfect apprenticeship for her writing career, The Guardian reports. She says the deep dive into period literature taught her the importance of writing about history and informed her approach to historical fiction.
In an interview discussing her formative reading experiences, Gregory reflected on how early exposure to both classic and modern works shaped her storytelling instincts, including her late discovery of Charles Dickens and a childhood favorite that sparked her love of Gothic-influenced historical tales.
Key Facts
- Philippa Gregory read 100 of the best 18th-century novels as an apprenticeship.
- She discovered Molly Keane as an influential writer.
- Gregory came to Charles Dickens later in life.
- The books taught her the importance of writing about history.
- Her earliest reading memory involves reading text instead of pictures at age three.
The Books That Taught Her Craft
Gregory described her early literacy as unusually advanced, recalling that by age three she preferred reading the text of bedtime stories rather than looking at illustrations. From that point on, she read voraciously on her own, borrowing four books a week from the library. This self-directed reading habit laid the groundwork for her later decision to study 18th-century novels intensively, which she calls the ideal training for her own authorship.
A Lifelong Love of Historical Fiction
One of her most impactful childhood reads was Alison Goudge’s The Little White White Horse, a blend of history and Gothic fantasy that she describes as realistic, charming, and frightening without being nightmarish. That early fusion of history and imaginative storytelling influenced her enduring focus on historical fiction and has even become a family favorite passed down to her own children, reinforcing the generational appeal of well-crafted historical narratives.
What Happens Next?
Gregory has not announced any upcoming titles tied to this reading reflection, nor indicated whether she plans to write about her apprenticeship experience directly. Readers interested in her evolving views on historical fiction will need to follow future interviews or public appearances for further insight.
What We Know — and What We Don’t
Verified by the source:
- Gregory read 100 of the best 18th-century novels as an apprenticeship.
- She cites discovering Molly Keane as influential.
- She came to read Dickens later than many.
- These books taught her the importance of writing about history.
- Her earliest reading memory was preferring text over pictures at age three.
Still unconfirmed:
- The specific titles of the 100 novels she read.
- The exact time period when she completed this reading project.
- Whether she has plans to reference this experience in future books.
- Direct quotes from Gregory beyond paraphrased recollections.
Why It Matters
For readers and writers alike, Gregory’s account underscores how immersive engagement with literary classics can serve as a form of artistic education. Her emphasis on historical fiction also highlights ongoing interest in how authors interpret and reimagine the past through narrative, a genre that continues to draw broad readership.
What To Watch
Future interviews or memoir-style writings from Gregory may offer more detail about the specific novels that influenced her. Until then, her comments remain a personal reflection on reading as education.
Novelist Philippa Gregory says reading 100 classic 18th-century novels was her ideal writing apprenticeship.