Pleasing Mr. Pepys
Page 39
Certain names of people and places are as in the diary, rather than in more modern usage, for example ‘Lord Bruncker’ rather than Brouncker, and ‘White Hall’ rather than Whitehall.
The dates of the novel refer to the Julian Calendar, so that those who wish might cross-reference my novel with the diary and read Samuel Pepys’ actual words on the events taking place. These dates do not necessarily concord with the modern Gregorian Calendar. Also, in those days, the New Year did not officially start until 25th March, but Pepys does refer to the idea of January as the beginning of the year in the diary, so for the purposes of this novel, I have kept to our familiar New Year’s Day as the start of the year.
Language and Pepys’ diary
I have picked out certain phrases and adjectives from Pepys’ diary to aid authenticity, particularly in my imaginings of his dialogue. Pepys used shorthand to write his diary, and for the past two centuries scholars have been attempting to produce an ‘English’ version that translates every mark accurately. The reader should be aware that the online shorthand translations of his diary were made in the Victorian era and are therefore somewhat archaic translations. The standard translation now is by Robert Latham and William Matthews (1970–83) and is available via academic institutions.
I have tried to be accurate as far as the diary is concerned and to use what reference material I could find to support my story, though I am quite sure it is apparent to the reader that there is a very large dollop of fiction in with the fact! I am not a historian but a storyteller, so for historical errors or inaccuracies in this book, I apologise in advance, and I am always happy to hear from readers who have better knowledge or expertise in areas or subjects I do not know. I have had great fun reimagining the world of Pepys’ diary, and can only hope that Mr Pepys, with his love of the theatre and books, would have been mightily entertained.
Selected Further Reading
Samuel Pepys: The Unequalled Self – Claire Tomalin
Intelligence and Espionage in the Reign of Charles II – Alan Marshall
Voices from the World of Samuel Pepys – Jonathan Bastable
The Illustrated Pepys – Ed. Robert Latham
Young Mr Pepys – John Hearsey
Restoration London – Liza Picard
The Weaker Vessel – Antonia Fraser
Early Modern England: A Social History – J. A. Sharpe
Nell Gwyn – Charles Beauclerk
Transformations of Love: The friendship of John Evelyn and Margaret Godolphin – Frances Harris
Mrs Pepys: Her book – Marjorie Astin (fiction)
The Journal of Mrs Pepys – Sara George (fiction)
The Diary of Samuel Pepys: BBC Radio 4 drama – Hattie Naylor (audio)
Acknowledgements
My thanks to Phil Gyford who set up the splendid website, www.pepysdiary.com, and all the knowledgeable commenters on his site. Dr Kate Loveman was kind enough to read the manuscript for obvious anachronisms. Thanks to Alis Hawkins and Tim Stretton who advised me on earlier drafts, and all the Macmillan New Writers for their support. Special mention must go to Richard Sheehan for his editorial advice, and to Jay Dixon, my editor at Accent Press, whose suggestions and comments have made this a stronger novel. As always, my heartfelt thanks go to my husband John, who acted as first reader, chief chef, and giver of ever-sensible advice.
Thank you, the reader.
If you’d like to find out more about my books you can find me at www.deborahswift.com
Or follow me on Twitter @swiftstory
Reading Group Questions
1.What did you think of the character of Mr Pepys? Did he have any redeeming characteristics, and if so, what were they?
2.Deb reads Pepys’ private diary in the novel. Did you think this was a betrayal of trust? Have you ever kept a diary, and how would it make you feel if someone else read it?
3.Diaries are supposed to be the honest reflections of daily life. Do you think this is always the case? Do diarists only have a limited view of the truth? Were you surprised by what might have gone on ‘between the lines’ of Pepys’ diary?
4.Have you read any other diaries which have given you an insight into history, and how important were these in our understanding of historical events?
5.Abigail Williams was a real person, and there is speculation she was a spy, like Aphra Behn, the well-known dramatist. What does Abigail contribute to the story? How much is Deb a reflection of Abigail, and how is she different?
6.Deb says that Pepys describes her as something ‘quite other’. When a diarist describes a real person how does this differ from a portrayal within a biography or a novel?
Published by Accent Press Ltd 2017
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Copyright © Deborah Swift 2017
The right of Deborah Swift to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
The story contained within this book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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eISBN 9781682996317