A Frome grandmother who faced years of rejection from literary agents is celebrating the success of her debut novel – and the prospect of it being adapted for screen.
Author Annie Elliot has seen her book, Mr & Mrs Charles Dickens – Her Story – “So the world may know he loved me once”, win praise from high-profile figures including broadcaster Jenni Murray, novelist Fay Weldon and BAFTA Fellow Andrew Davies. A London agent has now expressed interest in the film and television rights.
Despite numerous setbacks on her journey to publication, Annie said she never gave up hope of becoming a published author.
The novel focuses on Catherine Dickens, the wife of Charles Dickens, whose story Annie felt had been overlooked. Inspired by reading Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, she began researching Catherine’s life and said she was shocked by what she discovered.
Annie said, “I was shocked to discover how badly 45-year-old Charles treated his wife, Catherine when, after 22 years of marriage and ten children together, he fell in love with an 18-year-old actress. Charles wrecked her reputation to protect his own from a scandal which could have ruined him.”
Annie spent a year researching the relationship, drawing on letters Dickens wrote to his wife to challenge claims made about her character. Annie said Catherine had been unable to defend herself publicly at the time and remained devoted to her husband despite their separation.
The book’s title refers to Catherine Dickens’ deathbed wish that her letters be preserved “so the world may know he loved me once”.
Annie also drew on her own personal experiences to bring Mrs Dickens’ story to life, saying this helped her to portray Catherine’s emotions and experiences authentically.
With so much in the media about women being abused and silenced by powerful men, Annie hoped that her book might attract a publisher. She didn’t have to wait long. The first one approached signed her up.
Since publication, the book has been stocked by Hunting Raven bookshop in Frome, and Annie marked its release by selling copies dressed as Mrs Dickens. The Charles Dickens Museum in London also launched the book nationwide as part of an exhibition on the women in Dickens’ life, which attracted a large audience both in person and online.
The book has since received five-star reviews and Annie has had invitations to speak across the UK and internationally. She is due to attend the International Dickens Symposium in Denmark in July, speak to members of the Dickens Fellowship in America, and appear at the Frome Festival alongside local author Peter Clark. And now a London agent has contacted her “about the film and TV rights. I’m already planning what I’ll wear on the red carpet!” she joked.
“Rather than give the usual author interviews I appear as Mrs Dickens, come back to life, to tell the truth about what really happened when Charles had his mid-life crisis,” she said. “Afterwards many women come up to thank me for speaking up for them.”
