Fictive Histories / Historical Fictions

This interdisciplinary conference takes the recent popularity of the historical novel as a starting point to explore the relationship between history and fiction. The plenary speaker, Booker Prize-winning author Hilary Mantel (“Wolf Hall”), will appear in conversation with Mary Robertson, former Huntington chief curator of British historical manuscripts. The conference was held at The Huntington May 12–13, 2017.

Sophie Coulombeau from Cardiff University delivers remarks for “Fictive Histories/Historical Fictions,” a conference held at The Huntington May 12–13, 2017.

Sue Hodson from The Huntington discusses the Hilary Mantel Papers at The Huntington as part of “Fictive Histories/Historical Fictions,” a conference held at The Huntington May 12–13, 2017.

Damian Walford-Davies from Cardiff University delivers a talk titled “Counterfactual Obstetrics: Mary Wollstonecraft’s ‘Frankenstein.’” This talk was included in the session titled “Fictive Histories: Theory and Practice.” Part of “Fictive Histories/Historical Fictions,” a conference held at The Huntington May 12–13, 2017.

Naomi Williams, author of “Landfalls” (2015), delivers a talk titled “Dancing through the Alternative Facts: Cannibal Stories, Hagiographies, and Fictionalizing the Lapérouse Expedition.” This talk was included in the session titled “History and Fiction: Strange Bedfellows?” Part of “Fictive Histories/Historical Fictions,” a conference held at The Huntington May 12–13, 2017.

Sophie Coulombeau, from Cardiff University and author of “Rites” (2012) and Point No Point (forthcoming), delivers a talk titled “Naming Names: Reflections on Referentiality” This talk was included in the session titled “History and Fiction: Strange Bedfellows?” Part of “Fictive Histories/Historical Fictions,” a conference held at The Huntington May 12–13, 2017.

John Mullan from University College London delivers a talk titled “Historical Fiction and the Invention of the Literary Novel.” This talk was included in the session titled “Historical Fictions: Historical Perspectives.” Part of “Fictive Histories/Historical Fictions,” a conference held at The Huntington May 12–13, 2017.

Mark Eaton from Azusa Pacific University delivers a talk titled “Counterfactuals in US Historical Fiction.” This talk was included in the session titled “Historical Fictions: Historical Perspectives.” Part of “Fictive Histories/Historical Fictions,” a conference held at The Huntington May 12–13, 2017.

Fiona Price from University of Chichester delivers a talk titled “Flowers for Robespierre? Fictive Histories and the French Revolution.” This talk was included in the session titled “Historical Fictions: Historical Perspectives.” Part of “Fictive Histories/Historical Fictions,” a conference held at The Huntington May 12–13, 2017.

Jessie Burton, author of “The Miniaturist” (2014) and “The Muse” (2016), delivers a talk titled “Historical Impressionism: The Burden and Blessing of Writing the Past.” This talk was included in the session titled “Historical Fictions: Future Directions.” Part of “Fictive Histories/Historical Fictions,” a conference held at The Huntington May 12–13, 2017.

Jerome de Groot delivers a talk titled “Beach Time: Experimentation and the Historical Novel.” This talk was included in the session titled “Historical Fictions: Future Directions.” Part of “Fictive Histories/Historical Fictions,” a conference held at The Huntington May 12–13, 2017.

Hilary Mantel in conversation with Mary Robertson for the plenary lecture at “Fictive Histories/Historical Fictions,” a conference held at The Huntington May 12–13, 2017.