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History, Mystery & Hidden Manuscripts: The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton w/ Jennifer N. Brown (E210)
Description
In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Jennifer N. Brown. Jennifer is the Dean of Arts & Sciences at Bentley University, where she is also Professor of English and Media Studies, with a specialization in medieval literature written for and by women. She has published a lot on this topic but The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton is her first novel. She lives in the Boston area with her husbnad, their two children, and two miniature dachshunds.
Episode Highlights:
- The real history behind Elizabeth Barton and the lost manuscript
- Writing as both a historian and a novelist
- The freedom fiction offers compared to academic writing
- Balancing historical accuracy with compelling storytelling
- Writing across dual timelines (historical + modern)
- How present-day perspectives shape historical fiction
- The role of empathy in both history and reading
- Letting go of perfection and knowing when to finish a book
Connect with Jennifer:
Some links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.
Books and authors mentioned in the episode:
- Orlando by Virginia Woolf
- Heart the Lover by Lily King
- Flashlight by Susan Choi
Book Flight
- The French Lieutenant’s Woman by John Fowles
- The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish
- Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
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