Interview with Miss Fuke on historical accuracies, expanding perspectives and bibliophilic nostalgia

Interview conducted by Adelheid Ye

What kind of reader would you describe yourself as?

I enjoy reading as part of my daily routine as a way to wind down at the end of the day. I try to aim for at least one chapter a day. I also enjoy reading whilst on holiday! I mix it up between fiction and history books.

What interests you about history and fiction? Other than the fact that you are a history teacher?

I vary my reading between different historical time periods and topics to reflect my interests. I enjoy the feeling of learning new things about the past that I didn't know before, especially when it helps me to make connections between different individuals, events and places to add to my current understanding. It is also an added bonus that Humanities teaching gives me plenty of opportunities to share some of the interesting anecdotes that I come across! Reading fiction is more relaxing and a way of escapism. There is also the genre of historical fiction which can sometimes be a helpful way of understanding complex events and seeing individuals as real people who had real lives. I often find that reading fiction leads me to further research - it is interesting to see how closely the author stuck to the historical account of events and where they had to use their imagination only.

I suppose it probably a different experience compared to the average reader when you have an expansive knowledge on the topic you are reading about. Can you recommend some good historical fiction, tell us how accurate it recounts past events, and why you enjoy it?

The Cousins War series by Philippa Gregory is interesting as it imagines the events of the Wars of the Roses from the perspectives of the different women who were involved but are not very well known (this would be more suitable for older readers). Although writers of historical fiction have to use their imagination and focus on creating an entertaining plot, they are usually based on extensive research. I found that it gave me a new interest in this period of history and I had an idea of who the individuals were and how they were related when it inspired me to complete a course on life in Richard III's England with FutureLearn, which offers free university-led courses online. I've mainly been reading history books recently. I would recommend The Five by Hallie Rubenhold which tells the story of the canonical five Jack the Ripper victims. It's the first book that investigates their lives and backgrounds and how they ended up in the streets of Whitechapel in Victorian London and focuses completely on the women rather than the identity of who killed them. It really made me change my perspective on the topic and I get really annoyed when people in documentaries make sweeping generalisations that have no factual basis about them and their characters but are instead based on very prejudiced assumptions at the time.

What are your thoughts on maintaining historical accuracies in bodies of literature? And when some are sacrificed for the sake of story-telling?

I think that it is important to bear in mind that historical fiction aims to entertain rather than educate. Hopefully it inspires people to become interested in the period and events and want to research further themselves. There has been some complaints about some historical fiction books such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas as they can create misconceptions for younger readers due to their inaccuracies.

But should education be sacrificed for the sake of entertainment? With reference to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, some may deem this insensitive for people who have lived through these events. Is it 'right' to change certain aspects of important chapters in history, for marketability and a 'better' story? Or in your opinion, allow for wider exposure on certain historical topics that encourages people to research further these events?

I think it depends on whether the reader is willing to do that research and accept that they are not reading an entirely accurate account. Ideally, the writer would try to stick to facts as much as possible. History is full of so many interesting and entertaining stories already! However, some creative license is needed when they have to imagine the thoughts and feelings of real characters and what they said to one another in conversations as accounts can be conflicting or the evidence does not exist. Sometimes historical characters are combined together or removed so that they do not complicate the plot. This is where I like to compare how far the author has deviated from the historical account and I don't usually find it too problematic as I read these stories to be entertained. However, I am not so comfortable to read reports of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas being used as a teaching tool for learning about the Holocaust in schools as it would suggest to those students that it is an accurate depiction of events.

I agree with your statement of allowing for creative license and such. We live in a world that allows for the exercise of 'creative freedom', and that can have both good and bad results. A double-edged sword, as many would call it. For the 'bad' side of the 'sword' - as you mentioned misusing historical fiction (strong emphasis on fiction) as a teaching tool - do you believe there should be restraints on deviating from historical events (for storytelling purposes); as not all readers will have such a wide array of historical knowledge - or are willing to research - to the same extent as you do?

I don't really have strong views about historical fiction! I don't read it that often.

How do you find time to read?

I read as part of my bedtime routine so I make sure that I leave enough time for that.

How do you think reading has impacted your life?

That's an interesting question! Reading opens minds and encourages us to consider other ways of thinking and points of view. It also enables us to escape to other worlds and places, which is why I was a keen reader growing up in a very rural place! It reinforced my love of history and played a big part in my formal studies.

Could you share a specific example of how reading has changed your point of view?

Reading gives us different insights into how others think and can provide an escape to other worlds. Everything that we read will influence us to some extent. Recently I read The Five by Hallie Rubenhold which did alter my point of view. As a very famous case, I was familiar with the traditionally told history of Jack the Ripper. I didn't really think too much about the numerous tourist tours and merchandise associated with it and the fact that it still continues to fascinate people. Many people over the years have written books devoted to finding his identity. But Rubenhold's book has completely changed that view for me. She barely gives the killer a mention but instead tells the story of the canonical five women who became the victims. Instead of focusing on the gruesome details of their deaths which is what is usually focused on, she reveals the details of their lives as distinct individuals and how they ended up living in impoverished circumstances. This was very enlightening as to the difficult situations which women were forced to live in at the time. She also exposes the misogynistic way in which they have been depicted since their deaths with people judging them for their supposed lifestyles (that she finds little evidence to support as having factual basis). This book really surprised me in that I felt quite angry at the way in which they have been treated by historians who accepted this view without question and now I find it quite insensitive to see now how they are referred to in documentaries and tourist attractions. This has also made me think a lot about other victims of crime and how their lives often receive little attention. So it was a very eye-opening read!

Other than this particularly 'eye-opening' book, are there other books or underrated authors that you have read that you would recommend?

'An utterly impartial history of Britain' by John O'Farrell is a fun read for British history and comedy enthusiasts. In terms of fiction, I recently quite enjoyed Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier which I read in about one sitting. I also quite like revisiting the Harry Potter books if I am in that particular mood, they aren't really underrated though!

What do you make of the reason that Harry Potter is such a popular series, and a 'must read'? Personally, I have read some of the series and was not that impressed.

In regards to Harry Potter, I think part of it for me is that I remember when the books were still being released. It was exciting when each book came out as we would try to read them as soon as we could in case of spoilers from others. I would shut myself in my room and not go out because I was reading. We didn't have the movies already and so had no idea what was going to happen next. I am not sure if there has been a book series since then that has captured people's attention in the same way. With people lining up at midnight to get their copies and a whole generation who were desperate to read a series. It is quite hard to describe it to people who were born after the last book came out and the film series already released. It really captured people's imagination as it offered a form of escape. It would also develop as its target readers grew older and wasn't afraid to deal with darker themes as the series developed.

What do you think is the most crucial ingredient to being an avid reader, and to enjoy reading?

It is important to set aside time each day to read and then it will become part of your routine. Try different genres and ask for recommendations from your friends. It shouldn't feel like a chore! You may also find it easier to get into reading through the use of audio books and listen to books on the journey to school.