Putting a name to a gibus

I knew Victorian men wore collapsible top-hats to the opera, but I never cottoned on to the fact … More

Victorian men and the myth of the stiff upper lip

The Victorians: sentimental and mawkish? Or inventors of the stiff upper lip? Lots of men nowadays feel they … More

Don’t you love charity shops for books? All sorts of unexpected treasures and out-of-print gems – and all costing … More

Today I went to the dentist, which means afterwards I get to buy books. The moment I saw the spine … More

I’ve been writing stories most of my life, starting with a pastiche of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe … More