A Woman of Substance& Family Sagas
The author’s life is as fascinating as many of her female protagonists’
Since her 1979 novel A Woman of Substance sold an astounding 32 millionplus copies, Barbara Taylor Bradford has taken us back in time to worlds rich with aristocrats, romance, intrigue and juicy secrets. So what’s her secret? “I was born with an imagination,” Barbara,
84, tells Closer. “I write family sagas because there’s no more dangerous place in the world than being in the middle of a huge family where every emotion is taking place: love, jealousy, envy, greed — you name it!” And though she grew up as an only child in England, her life has had its share of drama and heartache, but above all is her longlasting love with her producer husband of 54 years, Robert Bradford. As she promotes her latest novel, Secrets of Cavendon, Barbara opens up to Closer about her remarkable path. “I’ve had a lot of luck,” she admits, “and as I say that, I’m knocking wood!”
— Gregg Goldstein
It’s amazing that you’ve written 32 novels — all of them on a typewriter!
People say, “Why don’t you use a computer?” And I say, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it!”
Tell us about your latest.
Secrets of Cavendon is the fourth and last book in the series. It’s the story of two families, the aristocratic Inghams and the other family in Cavendon Hall and Cavendon Village, the Swanns, who have hired jobs. The series goes from 1913 to 1950.
Why end it there?
I’m moving on because I’ve told enough about these two families, and I need a new challenge!
At 84, that’s impressive to hear.
I’ve just signed a contract with my publishers for a four-book series about a new family. It starts with a 14-year-old boy in 1884, in the Victorian period. It goes through to the Edwardian era and the early 1900s. I tell you the story of his life, just as the Cavendon series starts with a little girl. I guess it’s always a person that comes into my head. From where, I do not know!
How did you get your start?
I sold my first short story when I was 10, then went to work at the Yorkshire Evening Post newspaper as a reporter when I was 16. But it was the ’50s, and my first news editor really didn’t want a girl around. He put me under the care of another reporter, and I asked him, “Why don’t they like me?” He said, “They don’t want you here because they can’t use four-letter words!” [Laughs] But nobody pinched my bottom — I was lucky. I kept my head down, did my work and they took me seriously.
Why do you think you’ve succeeded where other novelists haven’t?
A lot of people can write nice stories, but can they create a family that didn’t exist and make people believe that they do? What I think gives all of my books a sense of authenticity is that I always have a backdrop of history and what’s going on in the world. And the drama of trouble keeps readers going.
You write about all these big families, yet you were an only child. Is that because you wanted siblings?
No, I loved it because I had all the attention! [Laughs] I had three doting aunts who all fussed around me. One loved knitting, so I always had the most beautiful fancy sweaters, hats and gloves.
Prior to your birth, you had a brother that died. Did your parents talk about him?
No, because I think he was only about 2. He got meningitis — because she was a children’s nurse, my mother spotted it immediately and got him to a hospital, but he didn’t live. They were both smart enough to move on, but I think that’s why they were so focused on me as a girl.
“You’ve got to keep going and get things
done! That’s my attitude.”
— Barbara
Is that a reason you decided not to have children?
I love children, but I had two miscarriages in my late 30s and early 40s. I was grief-stricken the second time, because you think, “What have I done wrong? Did I eat the wrong thing?” That’s a sadness that’s always been in the back of my mind, and I didn’t get pregnant again, which was another heartbreak.
How did you get past it?
I’m a very positive person, and my glass is always half full. I had a career, I was a journalist starting to write a novel, and I just got on with it. That’s a very English attitude.
And you just celebrated 54 years of marriage! What’s your secret?
You’ve got to want to stay married. We like the same things, we compromise, and we don’t hold grudges. If there’s a disagreement, I usually end it by saying, “Excuse me, I just want to put the kettle on.” [Laughs]
What are the benefits to this stage of your life?
I’m still alive! [Laughs] I’m 84 and don’t look it. I have the ability to laugh at myself, but take my work seriously. I write because I love it. Noël Coward had a master saying: “Work is more fun than fun!”
— Reporting by Ilyssa Panitz