Peter Ackroyd Q&A

I won too! I was sorry not to be able to make the talk, but it was fantastic to get the book. Can't wait to read it.

Thank you mumsnet for the tickets to see Peter speak tonight, really enjoyed it. So grateful to win- cheers! And Bettany Hughes chairing was rather fine too.

What, in your opinion, is the defining moment in history for London, if one exists?

Of course a ? Would have been the best form of puncuation after "without one taking over from the other?"

Apologies, tis very late..

Just getting in under the wire...

I would like to ask (with regards to Hawksmoor) how an author goes about combining fact and fiction without one taking over from the other. It was such a tremendous read, and also really got me into psychogeography and looking at churches with completely new eyes.

Thank you.

When I read history at university I was enthralled by Gibbons "Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire" and comparisons are being made with your latest work. Do you think these comparisons are correct?

How do you find the time to do all the research on your books and how long on average does it take? Having read quite a few I'm amazed at the detail and information they contain and always read them twice - once for enjoyment and then again to absorb them properly. Just like to say thank you - always a good day when I hear you're publishing a new one.

What is your view of the history taught in schools today and do you think books like 'To End All Wars? by Adam Hochschild should be required reading?

Did you watch the Royal Wedding?..What's your view of the Monarchy in the 21st Century?

Awesome.

As a foreigner from a small continental country, I was taught to see the history of my own country very much as part of a wider picture, as being connected to developments in the rest of Europe and the world. It strikes me that British history writing/teaching sometimes fails to see Britain as a country amongst others, connected to the rest of the world, and describes the country's history as something set apart from the rest of the world, or even above the rest of the world. What is your view?

As a William Blake fan just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed your work about the man and his poetry and have just ordered my father Thames:Sacred River; he is walking the length of the Thames and thought it would make an ideal companion.

However, that was entirely irrelevant to my question! My indulgent reading pleasures are Our Mutual Friend or Persuasion - what are your indulgent pleasures, reading or otherwise?

Ooh, I do love a bit of Ackroyd. So many questions to ask...

OK, here's one close to my heart, as my dp writes historical biography/social history:

How do you as a writer bring things alive in a way that speaks to a modern audience, without warping historical veracity? For example, I love reading historical accounts or historical novels that celebrate the existence of black or gay people in 18th century London - and it's important that people know that there WERE black and gay people in 18th century London, but the overall mass of these accounts can give quite a misleading picture.

So: how conscious are you of the judgements involved in selecting from your material in order to connect with the concerns of a current reader? Are there any conflicts or compromises, or is this one of the joys of creative discovery?

What a verbose question: I think it's clear that I am myself no Peter Ackroyd...

I love history but feel that, compared to continental and American friends, I am quite ignorant of English and British history I believe that this is a result of what history is taught at school and how (I was one of the bored, disengaged pupils referred to in this thread )

Do you think that the History curriculum in UK schools needs a complete overhaul and, if so, do you have any suggestions?

I love History BUT don't you think we could all learn so much more from it then we already do? What do you think it the best way to help everyone learn from history?

Also I like Flyn's question and would like to hear more.

Thank you.

Thank you Peter. Excellent.

By what age had you read all of Dickens? Where did you start? Do you have a favourite? (Really hoping you won't say Pickwick.) You must have lived and breathed him for a period - didn't you find yourself absorbing his language and attitudes for that time so they become part of your own expression and personality? Did that stay with you?

Which is your favourite museum in London? Is it the Museum of London?- I'm always surprised by how overlooked this museum is in favour of the South Ken ones.

And if you choose one museum, could you let us know your absolutely favourite artifact in it?

Is there a risk (and a pleasure) in being caught up with the fascinating research when you are meant to be writing? How do you discipline yourself to 'keep within the lines'?

Many children drop history at school as it's "boring" and has no relevance to them (I'm a history graduate, so I totally disagree!) - what period in English history do you think should be taught at school to persuade more children that actually it's a totally fab subject and far more relevant than they think?

Loved Hawksmoor. Read London The Biography and Thames Sacred River over the years following Hawksmoor.

It gave me a so far lifelong interest in Psychic Geography. Do you have any plans to cover that subject further as a non-fiction in the future?

How much do you think English history has been shaped by religion? I would suggest it has played a central role (and continues to play a significant role even now) in English culture and tradition, but I would be interested in your thoughts.

Did you see/will you be seeing the play "Jerusalem"? Any observations?

How will London and londoners respond to the olympics? Will it matter if we don't 'medal' well? What does history tell us about the impact of sporting tragedies on the metropolis' psyche?

I'm quite grumpy about all the money that's been spent on quite a dull sporting event, and suspect I won't be the only one given the dire financial straits we're told the country is in. In many ways, not so different to the last time London held the games.

Really loved London Orbital.

Peter, I read Chatterton quite some time ago and enjoyed it very much. How, initially, did Chatterton the character come to life in your imagination? Did something physical spark it off - perhaps a biography of him, or the painting itself - or did you make a conscious decision to write something around Chatterton?