Culture Street

Christine Wells worked as a corporate lawyer in a city firm before exchanging contracts and prospectuses for a different kind of fiction. In her novels, she draws on a lifelong love of British history and an abiding fascination for the way laws shape and reflect society. Christine is devoted to big dogs, good coffee, beachside holidays and Antiques Roadshow, but above all to her husband and two sons who live with her in Brisbane.

Christine shares the books that have inspired her on her journey to become a writer. Her latest novel is The Wife's Tale. You can buy the book here.

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

A children’s book that has redefined the word “hero” for me is Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon and subsequent books in the series. Hiccup is a small, weedy boy growing up among Vikings in a world where only the strong survive. However, he has courage, loyalty and a kind heart—not to mention a strategic brain. Forced to make tough decisions at every turn, Hiccup possesses wisdom and compassion that ultimately win the day.

Wideacre by Philippa Gregory

The protagonist of Philippa Gregory’s Wideacre might best be described as Scarlett O’Hara on crack. In eighteenth century England, Beatrice Lacey will stop at nothing to gain control of the estate her father has left to her weak and incompetent brother. Brilliant writing, an intimate knowledge of setting and period, and the chillingly ruthless Beatrice make this a compelling read— and proof that a female character does not have to be likeable to be fascinating.

Fanny: Being the True History of the Adventures of Fanny Hackabout-Jones by Erica Jong

With ribald frankness and an astonishing command of eighteenth-century cant, Erica Jong’s rollicking tale is entertaining and thought-provoking. A masterpiece in its exploration of what it means to be a woman in any age, Fanny discusses sex, seduction, betrayal, power, persecution, prostitution, love and motherhood in an engaging, clear-sighted and pragmatic way. There is a touch of Fanny in the character of Delany, Lady Nash in my novel THE WIFE’S TALE.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

This novel had a profound effect on me. I listened to the audio book, narrated by the author. That seemed a very intimate experience, as if the protagonist was in the room with me, telling his story. I felt deeply for someone who lived and struggled and made mistakes in horrible circumstances utterly different from my own. It taught me the amazing power story has to engage a reader’s empathy.

The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown

I listened to this audio-book after watching Brené Brown’s TED Talk on the same topic. The core idea that when someone is judgmental, dismissive or just plain nasty to someone else, they are most often acting out of their own shame and vulnerability was such an eye-opener for me. It is a principle I keep close both in writing and in life and it helps me to have more self-awareness and compassion for others.