Sarah Dunant's Blog, page 4

west and now east

i think Lewis and Clark did it the other way around, yes but I finally arrive in the East.  First Washington and a great NPR interview with Lianne Hanson, then Miami – Book and Books and one hell of smart audience firing on al cylinders – thank you Miami Now New York City To all those of you have met en route during the nine city tour greetings. I have had some great conversations about history, women, religion, story teling, and just what a dark delicious but sometimes terrifying place the past

vatican and sacred hearts

Dear Anne Muirhead …… woke up to your comment in Kansas City.   The aim to somehow recreate the experiences of these women so many centuries ago, both psychological and religious,  made this the toughest book I had ever written, so if in some way it rang true to you then i am utterly delighted. And oh yes, I have been following the story of the Vatican's move to curb the activities of American nuns with great interest and talk about it wherever I go. One does not write history in order to commen

kansas city, Kansas city here I come

a gerat blues track i seem to remember, but since i only get to stay a day it is more like Kansas city here I go. Two great gigs (Thank you Rainy Day books, you keep reading alive)  and a lot of big sky and flat land in between. If only one got to stay anywhere longer than 36 hours…Lindsey look forward to meeting you in Atlanta and thank you for your kind words about  SACRED HEARTS . Talking so much about something that took such a chunk out of one's life and soul seems rather strange after a wh

sun in san francisco

All tours have low points and i am very much hoping 3 hours in cars in LA with a 6. am start the next morning marks the spot. i seem to remember a Jackson Brown lyric that fits here. "the only time that seems too short is the time that we get to play" by which, of course,  he meant music, and I would mean talking history, women, religion, art – all the stuff that makes life interesting, And yes, music though in this case polyphony and Palestrina.

thank you to all who have come to listen and join

seattle via the gulf islands

first thing to note. It's hot. Seattle sings in the sushine.  i got here yestrday after a fantastic weekend at the Denman island Writers and Readers festival. If you don't know about it and you live anywhere in British Columbia then check it out. The most beautiful place, the kindest most hospitable people and the most stimulating discussions – religion, spirituality ( not always the same thing) politics,  16th century nuns , writing you name it . And all around the  forests and the water – the

Vancouver with half a voice

I love this city so much.  There is such a deep sense of relaxation to it. Any place where you can see mountains and water at the same timne is good for the soul.   Not that I am seeing much of it.  Tv am studios, books shops and the odd glimpse of a view out of car window.  But I will be back for pleasure.

On Monday I did a great gig in Ben Mcnally's books In Toronto, but in a huge itlaian restaurant, where of course people yelled and shouted, as italians love to do.  I had brought a cold stowed

On the road but with no rock star entourage

Hi Margot. Thank you for that.  Sacred Hearts will be in your hands soon enough. Please let me know what you think.

Meanwhile I have been hurtling around Dublin on the opening of this mad international tour.  Such a friendly city, coping well with a recession which is as low as the boom was high.  Also reeling from revelations of abuse within the Catholic church, all now documented in a new public report. So there was much talk about religion an how each and all religions handle the high octane p

getting ready to fly…..

Which is hardest?  Writing the book or working out what the hell to pack for six weeks on the road promoting it?  I am coming to see the deep attraction of a nun's habit, although of course they don't get to go on the road.  At the South Bank concert in London last week many of audience thought the wonderful choir of singers WERE nuns. Obviously that  outfit has a powerful effect on people.  At the start of a tour you absolutely DO NOT WANT TO GO. Then you sit on the plane and watch London getti

Saint and sinner – new article in The Guardian

Saturday morning , written after a rather wonderful publication party for Sacred Hearts which went went on way into the night. Woke up this morning to find an article I had written in today's Guardian newspaper: about a fabulous novel  I read by Julia O'Faolain while researching SH built around a 6th century saint, whom the novelist thinks began life as  a bit of a sinner. Those of you interested in women getting their heads above the parapet of history should check it out.   http://www.guardian

Welcome To My Discussion Forum

Hello.  You've reached my blog.  As you can tell, I have not yet populated this place of conversation.  I will, of course, be posting comments, ideas, themes very soon.  However, since the larger objective here is to expand the 'discussion' please feel free to start commenting on my books, art history, culture, media, herbalism, travel, literature, history, etc.  I came to technology a little late in the game but now I realize the importance of engaging with my audience and connecting people thr