The Bodleian
From Dreaming Spies:
The Bodleian Library is one of the glories of the Western world— although, if the world (and the University) was a fair place, the institution would be called the “Ball Library,” after the wealthy widow Thomas Bodley had married. It was Ann Ball’s money (inherited from a trader in pilchards) that restored the old library of Duke Humfrey, stripped bare in the Reformation.
I wrote to the Bodleian when Dreaming Spies was in the final stages, to check on a piece of information and to apologize for having—strictly fictionally, understand—made off with one of their treasures. The good lady who replied absolved me of my character’s crime, and went on to say how pleased she was to hear from me, that many of them in that grand library…were fans.
I do so love the Bodleian library, and all her parts.
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5 days until Dreaming Spies! Other posts about writing and researching the book can be seen here, or you can read a long excerpt here.
You can pre-order a signed copy from Poisoned Pen Books or Bookshop Santa Cruz, and unsigned or e-books from Indiebooks, Amazon/Kindle, or Barnes & Noble/Nook.
My upcoming events are here.
It might be worth adjusting to warm beer and English cooking to browse that library.
How utterly marvelous for you! What an accolade.
I spent a semester in Oxford with 13 students from my college here in the states. I loved every minute but most of all I loved that I got to do some studying in the Bodleian! I was awed by the lovely interier – could hardly work for just looking around. Before I could be allowed in I had to sigh that paper that assured them I would not burn the books!!! I still have my Bodleian Library card – it’s a treasured possession.
Laurie, I’m really loving glimpses of your creative process (Henry V!) and journey in making this book. So fun. Thank you.
I visited the Bodleian when I was in library school, and they graciously gave me a behind the scenes tour. That was one of the high points of my trip, including Duke Humfrey’s original library — with the magnificent architecture and chained books!