Sir – I am very grateful to everyone at The Oxford Times for publicising the talks we arrange by interviewing authors. It is interesting, however, that women writers are always described first and foremost by their age, whereas male writers remain ageless.
In the case of your recent article by Maggie Hartford about Catherine Chanter her age is printed considerably larger than her name. Is it that women, particularly middle-aged women, are not really expected to do anything in public life?
Last year, the highly respected poet Liz Berry, winner of the Forward Prize for Best First Poetry Collection, was described as ‘mum-of-one Liz Berry’ – as though that, too, was the most important fact about her. I am sure her young son is probably the most important person in her life at the moment, but...
Rachel Phipps, The Woodstock Bookshop, Woodstock
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