The subject matter is intimate, intense and strange, and vivid characterisation draws you into a sense of immediate acquaintance with the couple. She describes how the novel grew out of research into the Schumanns’ lives and how she stays true to the factual essence while giving rein to her creative imagination. Towards the end of the conversation with an extremely engaged and responsive audience she turns to the subject of Rosengarten, ‘words, sculpture and visual images exploring obstetrics and obstetric implements, and the mythologies surrounding the processes – historical and present – of birth.’ Clara by Janice Galloway is published by Vintage (ISBN 009970511 £6.99 PBK) © Textualities 2006