What’s OnTwo Scottish writers introduce scintillating new historical novels, both of which foreground forgotten figures and bring to life hidden stories from the past. Sara Sheridan is author of more than 20 novels including her recent reimagining of Enlightenment Edinburgh, The Fair Botanists. Its hotly anticipated follow up, The Secrets of Blythswood Square, turns its attention to 19th Century Glasgow, and the scandalous secrets held in and around the city’s most speculated upon neighbourhood. Ever fascinated by the lost stories of historical women, and having previously written a novel based on the life of Mary Shelley, Glasgow-based author Lesley McDowell’s latest release, Clairmont, recasts the famous literary friendship between Lord Byron and the Shelleys from the perspective of Mary’s 18 year old step-sister.
Sara and Lesley chat to BBC radio and TV presenter Bryan Burnett about how they transform the people and places we know (or think we do) into fiction, and bring to life the characters who reside behind closed doors.
