Philippa’s answer to “If you could live in another period of time, when would it be? Why?” > Likes and Comments
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LOL -- I've always said I don't want to live any time before antibiotics and refrigeration.
That is one thing I always miss in historical fiction books: more details about how the lack of plumbing is solved (or: what did the ladies room look like?)
All those ancient times were all nice and all, as long as you were one of the happy few rich ones. For the most of the population, it was all pure misery.
Absolutely! Although I joke that I would absolutely go back and marry Henry VIII if I had a time machine ;)
I think that we all probably enjoy the idea of big dresses and a life at court- I will stick with my indoor plumbing, monogamous husband and children with a long healthy life expectancy thankya' very much!
That's exactly what I think after reading so much historical fiction. The best time for women is now. Plus I don't think I would've had a very interesting life if the internet wasn't invented ;)
You are absolutely correct, Ms. Gregory! I couldn't stand just being property.
Best answer! It annoys me when my girlfriends say that they wished they lived in another period. As beautiful and fascinating as other periods are to study and read about, as a women I'm pretty happy living in the now!
This is especially true for gay women. While there are many people who still frown upon same-sex relationships, it's more accepted now than ever before.
Philippa Gregory, you are right on every point. I wouldn't even want to live in the 1960s. Visit maybe, but not live because so many bad things were happening in my native country and to go there and see the hope of so many students who died on October 1968, believing that things were going to get better, that society was going to become more liberal and having to tell them 'no, it won't (because I wouldn't have the heart to lie or leave things as they are) would be heartbreaking.
Being a woman in my country today is still hard. I moved to the US a while ago, and our community is still very religious and conservative when it comes to women's rights and lgbt issues. Back then, they were even more conservative, and there was a lot of religious strife as well.
Today is not perfect, and there is a lot that still needs to be done (as one of my favorite feminists Gloria Steinem has said) but back then ... I don't want to imagine. (I do know because I graduated from history and constantly write about it on my facebook, but still ... the thought of living back then, no thank you)
I always say this. People are so focused on criticizing this age of social media and technology, they forget how far the non-white male has come. Preach.
I completely agree! Most women don't realize how restrictful living was before the 20th century, but my eyes became open once I became a literature major and was introduced in my ENG 298 class about women's curioisities being seen as transgressions. Then once I took a Women's Literature course, I really delved into the subject and learned so much about how women were treated as the inferior of two species and how much religions have played on this idea since polythesitic beliefs. Most women, think about the fantasy of the romance, clothing, jewellery, as you said, but they don't think about the reality of the situation. I personally, believe it is a topic that should be taught to both women and men, because most people do not realize what women in the past went through and how truly amazing our ancestors were and what they went through to be seen as equals to men in society.
Amen to that. I feel very lucky to have been born in the mid 20th century.
If we want to live in beautiful environs, drink fresh water, or harken to ethereal spiritual ways: we can do all of this in our own timeframes. Our reasoning has improved even since I was a baby. For example, parents were warned not to comfort crying babies if they were to ever sleep independently. Now we consider the message we want to give infants: when there is any need, Momma is there! Leaving us shouting or sobbing until we give up, my parents always suspected was a horrible message. As modern as possible for me please.
I agree. At first glance it seemed like a great idea to travel back in time. But as a women life back them wasn't really great. The woman didn't really have rights back then. But I wouldn't mind traveling if I was invisible and just an observer.
I don't know why but probably b.c. north east America. I am a big fan of Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear. Also Linda Lay Shuler and Sue Harrison.
I think, I have to disagree with most of you. While life for women is certainly better now that it has been in history, there was still a lot of power that women had, especially in the European Courts. I would love to go back and be apart of Mary I court, or live in Ancient Rome or Greece. It was definitely not the same for all women, but some did had a certain amount of control over their lives.
I have to agree with Philippa Gregory. Everything that she says is very true xx
Don't forget indoor plumbing, hot water taps, and showers. I originated in the generation that used safety pins or special garters for sanitary pads. So self stick sanitary pads are added to the list. I'd be a goner if it weren't for early cancer detection. Oh heck! I might go for a visit to the past but I think I'm better off in the here and now. LOL!
This has to be one of the best responses to this question that should be upheld.
I have always been obsessed with the 15th century and wanted to live in that time period. I am however a shower and clean freak so I wouldn't do very well LOL :) !
Philippa you are so right. I have told many people who visit historic properties that before the 1870s women were considered property, they were their father's property until marriage and their husband's after. People can never seem to get to grips with this fact.
An EXCELLENT point! A woman's reproductive choice is TANTAMOUNT to her FREEDOM. Whilst I, too, have often daydreamed about living in another time, lack of clean water, good medical care and yes, access to contraceptives has always overthrown any wish I had to exist in another century.
Plus I really, REALLY like my hot showers.
REALLY.
If there was a chance to go back in time, I would love to visit the past, but I would never want to live in a world where just the basic necessities were so difficult. That's my thinking on this.
My grandmother lived in a peasant village in the Azores during the 40s and 50s and she was she only one that had three children. Nothing was wrong but I know she was able to figure out how to not have as many children as her neighbours, who all had over 12 children!
even though this may be true, I wish to live in a simpler time..i don't think no contraception is a problem though (as a person who believes strongly in marriage and saving yourself)
This is a eurocentric response--which is understandable, since the author is a scholar in European literature and writes European historical fiction. In the Muslim world, women--married or not--were given the right to own and inherit property since the time of the Prophet Muhammad in the seventh century. In fact, women who earned money were not required to spend it on their families, but men were. And education has always been important for Muslim women. A great example for women's property-owning and education is that the longest-running university in the world is the Qarawiyyin University, which was initially owned and founded by Fatima al-Fihri, a North African Muslim woman.
wow i really love your books and i will love to discuss some things with you
And anytime prior to 1900s, surely the stench would kill you!
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Terelyn
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Jul 31, 2015 06:52AM
LOL -- I've always said I don't want to live any time before antibiotics and refrigeration.
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That is one thing I always miss in historical fiction books: more details about how the lack of plumbing is solved (or: what did the ladies room look like?)All those ancient times were all nice and all, as long as you were one of the happy few rich ones. For the most of the population, it was all pure misery.
Absolutely! Although I joke that I would absolutely go back and marry Henry VIII if I had a time machine ;)I think that we all probably enjoy the idea of big dresses and a life at court- I will stick with my indoor plumbing, monogamous husband and children with a long healthy life expectancy thankya' very much!
That's exactly what I think after reading so much historical fiction. The best time for women is now. Plus I don't think I would've had a very interesting life if the internet wasn't invented ;)
You are absolutely correct, Ms. Gregory! I couldn't stand just being property.
Best answer! It annoys me when my girlfriends say that they wished they lived in another period. As beautiful and fascinating as other periods are to study and read about, as a women I'm pretty happy living in the now!
This is especially true for gay women. While there are many people who still frown upon same-sex relationships, it's more accepted now than ever before.
Philippa Gregory, you are right on every point. I wouldn't even want to live in the 1960s. Visit maybe, but not live because so many bad things were happening in my native country and to go there and see the hope of so many students who died on October 1968, believing that things were going to get better, that society was going to become more liberal and having to tell them 'no, it won't (because I wouldn't have the heart to lie or leave things as they are) would be heartbreaking.Being a woman in my country today is still hard. I moved to the US a while ago, and our community is still very religious and conservative when it comes to women's rights and lgbt issues. Back then, they were even more conservative, and there was a lot of religious strife as well.
Today is not perfect, and there is a lot that still needs to be done (as one of my favorite feminists Gloria Steinem has said) but back then ... I don't want to imagine. (I do know because I graduated from history and constantly write about it on my facebook, but still ... the thought of living back then, no thank you)
I always say this. People are so focused on criticizing this age of social media and technology, they forget how far the non-white male has come. Preach.
I completely agree! Most women don't realize how restrictful living was before the 20th century, but my eyes became open once I became a literature major and was introduced in my ENG 298 class about women's curioisities being seen as transgressions. Then once I took a Women's Literature course, I really delved into the subject and learned so much about how women were treated as the inferior of two species and how much religions have played on this idea since polythesitic beliefs. Most women, think about the fantasy of the romance, clothing, jewellery, as you said, but they don't think about the reality of the situation. I personally, believe it is a topic that should be taught to both women and men, because most people do not realize what women in the past went through and how truly amazing our ancestors were and what they went through to be seen as equals to men in society.
Amen to that. I feel very lucky to have been born in the mid 20th century.
If we want to live in beautiful environs, drink fresh water, or harken to ethereal spiritual ways: we can do all of this in our own timeframes. Our reasoning has improved even since I was a baby. For example, parents were warned not to comfort crying babies if they were to ever sleep independently. Now we consider the message we want to give infants: when there is any need, Momma is there! Leaving us shouting or sobbing until we give up, my parents always suspected was a horrible message. As modern as possible for me please.
I agree. At first glance it seemed like a great idea to travel back in time. But as a women life back them wasn't really great. The woman didn't really have rights back then. But I wouldn't mind traveling if I was invisible and just an observer.
I don't know why but probably b.c. north east America. I am a big fan of Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear. Also Linda Lay Shuler and Sue Harrison.
I think, I have to disagree with most of you. While life for women is certainly better now that it has been in history, there was still a lot of power that women had, especially in the European Courts. I would love to go back and be apart of Mary I court, or live in Ancient Rome or Greece. It was definitely not the same for all women, but some did had a certain amount of control over their lives.
I have to agree with Philippa Gregory. Everything that she says is very true xx
Don't forget indoor plumbing, hot water taps, and showers. I originated in the generation that used safety pins or special garters for sanitary pads. So self stick sanitary pads are added to the list. I'd be a goner if it weren't for early cancer detection. Oh heck! I might go for a visit to the past but I think I'm better off in the here and now. LOL!
This has to be one of the best responses to this question that should be upheld.
I have always been obsessed with the 15th century and wanted to live in that time period. I am however a shower and clean freak so I wouldn't do very well LOL :) !
Philippa you are so right. I have told many people who visit historic properties that before the 1870s women were considered property, they were their father's property until marriage and their husband's after. People can never seem to get to grips with this fact.
An EXCELLENT point! A woman's reproductive choice is TANTAMOUNT to her FREEDOM. Whilst I, too, have often daydreamed about living in another time, lack of clean water, good medical care and yes, access to contraceptives has always overthrown any wish I had to exist in another century.Plus I really, REALLY like my hot showers.
REALLY.
If there was a chance to go back in time, I would love to visit the past, but I would never want to live in a world where just the basic necessities were so difficult. That's my thinking on this.
My grandmother lived in a peasant village in the Azores during the 40s and 50s and she was she only one that had three children. Nothing was wrong but I know she was able to figure out how to not have as many children as her neighbours, who all had over 12 children!
even though this may be true, I wish to live in a simpler time..i don't think no contraception is a problem though (as a person who believes strongly in marriage and saving yourself)
This is a eurocentric response--which is understandable, since the author is a scholar in European literature and writes European historical fiction. In the Muslim world, women--married or not--were given the right to own and inherit property since the time of the Prophet Muhammad in the seventh century. In fact, women who earned money were not required to spend it on their families, but men were. And education has always been important for Muslim women. A great example for women's property-owning and education is that the longest-running university in the world is the Qarawiyyin University, which was initially owned and founded by Fatima al-Fihri, a North African Muslim woman.
wow i really love your books and i will love to discuss some things with you
And anytime prior to 1900s, surely the stench would kill you!
