40 MARCH 2020 http://www.writers-online.co.ukJ
ean Fullerton was born into a large, East End family and grew up in the
overcrowded streets clustered around the Tower of London. She believes that
it is that background that gives her historical East London stories a distinctive
authenticity. Reading Anya Seton’s book Katherine at school sparked her love of
history. ‘Since then I have read everything I can about English history,’ she says, ‘but I
am particularly fascinated by the 18th and 19th centuries and my books are set in this
period. I just love my native city and the East End in particular, which is why I write
stories to bring this vibrant area of London alive.’
Jean has written thirteen historical novels and two novellas. She is a qualified District
and Queen’s nurse, spending most of her time working in the East End of London.
Her ‘Ration Book’ series is proving very popular, with A Ration Book Childhood
published in October 2019 and A Ration Book Wedding due in May 2020.
‘Firstly, let me thank you for asking me to share my five must keep books with you on
Shelf Life,’ Jean says. ‘As you can imagine it was a very difficult decision but in the end, out
of the hundreds of books I have on my shelves, I have selected the following’.The saga author shares her top
fi ve reads with Judith SpelmanShelf life
I have a very tatty, very rare 1948 edition
of the textbook which was published before
the NHS came into being. I cherish it for
two reasons. Firstly, it was invaluable to me
when I was writing my East London Nurses
series. It gave so many of the day to day
authentic and practical details of a district
nurse’s working day including such things
as the way an District Nursing Association
was organised, how the nursing charges
were calculated, record keeping and a list of
benevolent societies who gave grants to the
poor to help with nursing costs.
‘That alone means it is allocated as one
of my five must-keep books, however, there
is another reason
why this seventy-
year-old book has
a special place
in my heart and
on my shelves.
It is because as
a retired district
nurse of 25 years
it gives me a
unique insight
into my own
profession before
the introduction
of the NHS.’DISTRICT NURSING
by EJ Merry
and ID Irven‘I read this book decades ago when I was about fourteen
and instantly fell in love with historical romance. The
story is set in the late 14th century in England. The
central character is Katherine Swynford, the daughter of
a lowly herald who rose to be first the mistress and later
wife of the most powerful man in the land, the King’s
third son, John of Gaunt.
‘The romance takes place against the backdrop of The
Hundred Years War when England was laying claim to
the French throne. It is rich in historical detail and painstakingly accurate. It was the
book that set me on my journey of reading and ultimately writing historical fiction so
it will always have a place on my bookshelves.’KATHERINE
by Anya Seton‘I read this book decades ago when I was about fourteen
and instantly fell in love with historical romance. The
story is set in the late 14th century in England. The
central character is Katherine Swynford, the daughter of
a lowly herald who rose to be first the mistress and later
wife of the most powerful man in the land, the King’s
third son, John of Gaunt.KATHERINE
by Anya SetonJEAN
FULLERTON