Patrick Mercer

(appearing on 12 November)

What made you write historical fiction?

Patrick Mercer: The mid-Victorian period has long held fascination for me. It is superbly supported by diaries and contemporary accounts and many of the anecdotes and campaigns generally are not known about. So, they were begging to be brought to life.

Upon what does your work concentrate?

Patrick Mercer: My first trilogy follows the career of a Victorian infantry officer, Anthony Morgan, who fights in the Crimea, the Indian Mutiny and the Second Afghan War. As much as following his personal experience, the novels are also designed to explore the relationships between soldiers and officers and the impact that battle has upon their minds and bodies.

How difficult is it to re-create an historical atmosphere in fiction?

Patrick Mercer: It is difficult to know the answer to that but I think it depends on solid research, careful thought about the sort of dialogue that would have been used and then adapting that to the modern ear. For instance, many Victorian slang words are still used in today's vocabulary. Whilst it would be correct to use them in fiction it might not sound right and these are the sort of judgements that an author must make.Patrick Mercer (appearing on 12 November)

What made you write historical fiction?

Patrick Mercer: The mid-Victorian period has long held fascination for me. It is superbly supported by diaries and contemporary accounts and many of the anecdotes and campaigns generally are not known about. So, they were begging to be brought to life.

Upon what does your work concentrate?

Patrick Mercer: My first trilogy follows the career of a Victorian infantry officer, Anthony Morgan, who fights in the Crimea, the Indian Mutiny and the Second Afghan War. As much as following his personal experience, the novels are also designed to explore the relationships between soldiers and officers and the impact that battle has upon their minds and bodies.

How difficult is it to re-create an historical atmosphere in fiction?

Patrick Mercer: It is difficult to know the answer to that but I think it depends on solid research, careful thought about the sort of dialogue that would have been used and then adapting that to the modern ear. For instance, many Victorian slang words are still used in today's vocabulary. Whilst it would be correct to use them in fiction it might not sound right and these are the sort of judgements that an author must make.