FIRST IMPRESSIONS: ROY HATTERSLEY
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m writing a book with the working title of The Catholics. Catholics have had a tough time in Britain since 1550. I’m not a Catholic, I’m an atheist, but my father was a Catholic priest. I didn’t even know. A retired bishop wrote me a letter saying, ‘As you will know, your father and I were at the English college in Rome together.’ I had no idea. My father could read and write Latin on sight and I never wondered why. Just shows how dense I was when I was growing up.
When are you at your happiest?
When I’m writing. Especially when I’m here in Derbyshire, as I am now with the dog sleeping at my feet.
What is your greatest fear?
Running out of things to write about, or people not wanting me to write. I’m 80 but I’ve no desire to sit about and wait for time to pass. I work full days on the book and not being able to do that worries me to death.
What is your earliest memory?
Falling down on the promenade at Bridlington and having my father’s handkerchief as a bandage around my knee and being given an ice-cream to stop me crying. I think I must have been three or four.
What do you dislike about yourself?
I dislike my dogmatism. I believe in work as a great virtue and I’m critical of people who don’t work very hard.
Who has been your greatest influence?
I think my mother. She was a very dominant, very positive, aggressive figure. I was always closer to my father, but he was very gentle, unlike my mother. She would never say you could do better, just how badly you were doing. And that stimulated me to do better. I think she had a painful, but very important influence on me.
What is your most treasured possession?
My dog, Jakie, an English bull terrier. He is a rescue dog, and the first purebred dog I’ve ever had.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Lack of care. We’re doing OK so what does it matter how everyone else is doing. I hate that attitude.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My girth. When I was fit I was 13 stone. Now I’m around 14½ stone.
What is your all-time favourite book?
The Old Wives’ Tale by Arnold Bennett.
Your favourite film?
Hitchcock’s Vertigo.
Your favourite piece of music?
I suppose it would be something by Stephen Sondheim, probably Everybody Says Don’t.
Your favourite meal?
Roast chicken or turkey.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
William Shakespeare. I’d like old friends too – Tony Crosland was my hero, I’d like him to reappear. I’d like John Milton, RH Tawney – a combination of literary and political figures.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
I’m sure it was when I was at school and I was dismissed for doing something inadequately.
Do you believe in aliens?
No.
What is your secret vice?
Chocolate.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, invariably.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Words such as genuinely or sincerely.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A Labour government. I’d rest content.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
I don’t mind. I want the people I know and love to remember me but the rest I don’t mind at all.
Roy Hattersley will be speaking at the Soho Literary Festival on 27 September: 020-7478 0100, www.soholitfest.com
I’m writing a book with the working title of The Catholics. Catholics have had a tough time in Britain since 1550. I’m not a Catholic, I’m an atheist, but my father was a Catholic priest. I didn’t even know. A retired bishop wrote me a letter saying, ‘As you will know, your father and I were at the English college in Rome together.’ I had no idea. My father could read and write Latin on sight and I never wondered why. Just shows how dense I was when I was growing up.
When are you at your happiest?
When I’m writing. Especially when I’m here in Derbyshire, as I am now with the dog sleeping at my feet.
What is your greatest fear?
Running out of things to write about, or people not wanting me to write. I’m 80 but I’ve no desire to sit about and wait for time to pass. I work full days on the book and not being able to do that worries me to death.
What is your earliest memory?
Falling down on the promenade at Bridlington and having my father’s handkerchief as a bandage around my knee and being given an ice-cream to stop me crying. I think I must have been three or four.
What do you dislike about yourself?
I dislike my dogmatism. I believe in work as a great virtue and I’m critical of people who don’t work very hard.
Who has been your greatest influence?
I think my mother. She was a very dominant, very positive, aggressive figure. I was always closer to my father, but he was very gentle, unlike my mother. She would never say you could do better, just how badly you were doing. And that stimulated me to do better. I think she had a painful, but very important influence on me.
What is your most treasured possession?
My dog, Jakie, an English bull terrier. He is a rescue dog, and the first purebred dog I’ve ever had.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Lack of care. We’re doing OK so what does it matter how everyone else is doing. I hate that attitude.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My girth. When I was fit I was 13 stone. Now I’m around 14½ stone.
What is your all-time favourite book?
The Old Wives’ Tale by Arnold Bennett.
Your favourite film?
Hitchcock’s Vertigo.
Your favourite piece of music?
I suppose it would be something by Stephen Sondheim, probably Everybody Says Don’t.
Your favourite meal?
Roast chicken or turkey.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
William Shakespeare. I’d like old friends too – Tony Crosland was my hero, I’d like him to reappear. I’d like John Milton, RH Tawney – a combination of literary and political figures.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
I’m sure it was when I was at school and I was dismissed for doing something inadequately.
Do you believe in aliens?
No.
What is your secret vice?
Chocolate.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, invariably.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Words such as genuinely or sincerely.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A Labour government. I’d rest content.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
I don’t mind. I want the people I know and love to remember me but the rest I don’t mind at all.
Roy Hattersley will be speaking at the Soho Literary Festival on 27 September: 020-7478 0100, www.soholitfest.com