#173: Victoria Hislop, novelist

<p>Rachel and Simon speak with the novelist Victoria Hislop. After studying English at university, Victoria worked in book publishing, PR and journalism. She turned to fiction in 2005 with <a href="https://www.victoriahislop.com/books/the-island/" target="_blank">“The Island”</a>, a love story set on Spinalonga, Greece’s former leprosy colony. The novel was translated into 40 languages and sold more than six million copies worldwide; it was adapted into a 26-part Greek television series, which achieved record ratings in the country. Subsequent books, including <a href="https://www.victoriahislop.com/books/the-return/" target="_blank">“The Return”</a> and <a href="https://www.victoriahislop.com/books/one-august-night/" target="_blank">“One August Night”</a>, have also been bestsellers. We spoke to Victoria about the origins and development of her interest in Greece, moving from publishing to journalism to fiction-writing, and her latest novel, <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-figurine-the-brand-new-novel-from-the-no-1-sunday-times-bestselling-author-of-the-island-victoria-hislop/7498481?ean=9781472263933" target="_blank">“The Figurine”</a>.</p> <p><br></p> <p>“Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World’s Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is published by Ithaka Press. You can order it via <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Always-Take-Notes-greatest-writers/dp/1804183180" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/always-take-notes-advice-from-some-of-the-world-s-greatest-writers-rachel-lloyd/7516098?aid=3763&ean=9781804183182" target="_blank">Bookshop.org</a>, <a href="https://www.hatchards.co.uk/book/always-take-notes/simon-akam/9781804183182" target="_blank">Hatchards</a> or <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/always-take-notes/simon-akam/rachel-lloyd/9781804183182" target="_blank">Waterstones</a>.</p> <p><br>You can find us online at ⁠⁠<a href="http://alwaystakenotes.com/" target="_blank">alwaystakenotes.com</a>⁠⁠, on Twitter @takenot