Office days are well behind Judith as she seeks out Victorian truths
Judith Flanders' book about Victorian women made her the toast of Literary London and her days in an office seem like another era, writes Barbara Drillsma
As one of the country's leading experts on the lives of Victorians, it is fitting that Judith Flanders' Chalk Farm house was built in the 1850s - complete with original indoor window shutters.
But is it stuffed with ornate picture frames, oil paintings, aspidistras and the other knick knacks we associate with our Victorian ancestors? No way.
"I can't stand clutter," she says. "If I have finished with it I give it away, usually through www.freecycle org.
"Anyway it is a myth that Victorians, particularly the early ones, had houses crammed with stuff. They owned very little, that's why the middle-class Victorian houses are small with little storage space. They had nothing to put in them."
Which is sort of why we met in Marine Ices, Judith's regular eatery opposite the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm - workmen are now extending her kitchen.
Currently touring the country promoting her third book on Victorians, Consuming Passions, Flanders says she enjoys reading from her books to an live audience although she cannot understand why the public want to listen to her.
"I didn't really believe I was an author until this, my third book was published. I'm not really part of the literary scene, quite a solitary person and couldn't wait to leave the nine to five office job. Now visiting offices I'm reminded of battery hen farms.
"I love writing. I can do what I want and I don't have to retire."
Although born in Paddington, Judith moved to Canada when she was two and returned when she was 20.
With a degree in history she worked in publishing, looking after other authors with no plans to be a writer herself.
A chance reference to the Kipling family, particularly his mother and aunts, caught her interest. She filed it away and five years later spent her two-week summer holiday writing about what she affectionately calls "the clever bitches from hell."
Using her contacts, she sent the manuscript of Circle of Sisters to an agent who advised her not to give up the day job. To her surprise the book was snapped up and nominated for the Guardian First Book Award in the week it was published. She gave up the day job.
Each morning, around 6.30am Judith runs along the Regents Canal path before starting her work. She works at home and the British Library, "I like the building, dislike their rules."
As soon as the publicity round for Consuming Passions is finished she will start on her next book about the Victorians.
But would she have liked to have been born in the19th century?
"Absolutely not," she shudders. "I would hate to have been a Victorian. Imagine living without painkillers and proper dentists.
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