# Philippa Gregory says 18th-century novels taught her how to write

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/philippa-gregory-i-read-100-of-the-best-18th-century-novels-the-perfect-authors-apprenticeship/
- Published: 2026-10-30T10:00:50+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-30T10:17:18+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/oct/30/philippa-gregory-i-read-100-of-the-best-18th-century-novels-the-perfect-authors-apprenticeship
- Topics: Culture, UK, World

## Key points

- Gregory studied more than 100 18th-century novels for her PhD.
- Austen and historical fiction shaped her early reading.
- She praises Dickens, Iris Murdoch and Molly Keane.

## Summary

Philippa Gregory describes how reading shaped her as a writer, from childhood stories to historical fiction and works of social history. She says studying more than 100 popular 18th-century novels for her PhD gave her a practical apprenticeship in novel-writing, teaching her about structure, character and pace.

Gregory recalls Alison Goudge, Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer among her early influences, and says EP Thompson’s history helped her see how writing can reveal hidden pasts. She later came to appreciate Dickens, particularly *Dombey and Son*, rereads Iris Murdoch’s *The Sea, the Sea* for comfort, and has recently discovered Molly Keane’s *Good Behaviour*.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.