FIRST IMPRESSIONS: VICTORIA HISLOP
What are you working on at the moment?
I am doing readings from my new anthology of short stories by women, The Story: Love, Loss & The Lives Of Women. I am passionate about the short story; I think it is the perfect literary form for our time. They are addictive – to read and to write.
When were you at your happiest?
Today. I spent five hours in the library doing research for my next novel and then went for a two-hour Greek lesson with my wonderful teacher, Thomas.
What is your greatest fear?
Anything bad happening to my children.
What is your earliest memory?
Nobody believes me, but I remember being in my cot, standing at the window and pulling at the curtains to see if it was still light. It was a hot summer’s night and I could hear my parents talking in the garden.
What do you dislike about yourself?
I am slapdash in the kitchen.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My mother. She is elegant, dignified, funny and wise.
What is your most treasured possession?
My blue pashmina. It is my comfort blanket, it travels everywhere with me, especially on book tours. I feel safe when it’s with me.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Men who talk over women – and women who dominate at the expense of other women.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
The shadows under my eyes.
Your favourite book?
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. It was the first book to stir a passion for reading, when I was a teenager.
Your favourite film?
I’m So Excited!, Almodóvar’s latest film. It was hilarious. Completely bonkers.
Your favourite piece of music?
Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor.
Your favourite meal?
Greek meze, shared at a big table, with fresh horta (wild mountain greens), fava (purée of split peas), kolokithakia tiganites (fried courgettes) and gallons of good Cretan wine.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
George Clooney.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
I never hold on to anything bad.
Do you believe in aliens?
On a clear summer’s night, when I look up at the stars I find it impossible to believe that we are all alone. It almost seems arrogant.
What is your secret vice?
Chewing gum. I need it to concentrate. Then I have to wrap it in small bits of paper and I find these in my handbag weeks later. It’s disgusting!
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes. I think they are under-rated. And I nag my children into writing them.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘Is anyone making tea?’ It’s a heavy hint but usually works.
What would most improve the quality of your life?
Being able to ‘beam’ myself to Greece rather than having to get on a plane and thereby creating a giant carbon footprint.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘She died at the age of 151, having just won Wimbledon.’
Victoria Hislop is a judge for the Costa Short Story Award. For details: www.costabookawards.com
I am doing readings from my new anthology of short stories by women, The Story: Love, Loss & The Lives Of Women. I am passionate about the short story; I think it is the perfect literary form for our time. They are addictive – to read and to write.
When were you at your happiest?
Today. I spent five hours in the library doing research for my next novel and then went for a two-hour Greek lesson with my wonderful teacher, Thomas.
What is your greatest fear?
Anything bad happening to my children.
What is your earliest memory?
Nobody believes me, but I remember being in my cot, standing at the window and pulling at the curtains to see if it was still light. It was a hot summer’s night and I could hear my parents talking in the garden.
What do you dislike about yourself?
I am slapdash in the kitchen.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My mother. She is elegant, dignified, funny and wise.
What is your most treasured possession?
My blue pashmina. It is my comfort blanket, it travels everywhere with me, especially on book tours. I feel safe when it’s with me.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Men who talk over women – and women who dominate at the expense of other women.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
The shadows under my eyes.
Your favourite book?
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. It was the first book to stir a passion for reading, when I was a teenager.
Your favourite film?
I’m So Excited!, Almodóvar’s latest film. It was hilarious. Completely bonkers.
Your favourite piece of music?
Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor.
Your favourite meal?
Greek meze, shared at a big table, with fresh horta (wild mountain greens), fava (purée of split peas), kolokithakia tiganites (fried courgettes) and gallons of good Cretan wine.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
George Clooney.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
I never hold on to anything bad.
Do you believe in aliens?
On a clear summer’s night, when I look up at the stars I find it impossible to believe that we are all alone. It almost seems arrogant.
What is your secret vice?
Chewing gum. I need it to concentrate. Then I have to wrap it in small bits of paper and I find these in my handbag weeks later. It’s disgusting!
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes. I think they are under-rated. And I nag my children into writing them.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘Is anyone making tea?’ It’s a heavy hint but usually works.
What would most improve the quality of your life?
Being able to ‘beam’ myself to Greece rather than having to get on a plane and thereby creating a giant carbon footprint.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘She died at the age of 151, having just won Wimbledon.’
Victoria Hislop is a judge for the Costa Short Story Award. For details: www.costabookawards.com