Prize-winning author Alice Jolly to release fifth novel

An accomplished author and playwright, whose awards include the PEN/Ackerley Prize, an O Henry Prize and the V. S. Pritchett Memorial Prize, Alice Jolly has also taught for many years on the Creative Writing Masters at The University of Oxford. She was known as Alison during her time at St Helen’s (1978-1985), where she was an avid reader and a budding novelist.  

We are delighted to share that Alice’s new novel 'The Matchbox Girl' will be published by Bloomsbury on 6 November. The book is about the real Dr Asperger and his team of pioneering doctors who worked on the first diagnoses of autism in 1930s Vienna. When the Nazis march into Vienna they find their work being used for the darkest purposes. What enfolds is the story of a young girl’s battle for survival and search for the truth in occupied Vienna. The book has drawn praise from The Sunday Times, describing it as ‘beautifully written and brutally honest’, and The Guardian who called it ‘a rigorously researched, lyrical tour de force’.  

We took the opportunity to ask Alice some questions about her passion and the inspiration behind her writing. 

What drew you to books as a child? 

I loved being taken into other worlds. At St Helen's I was regularly in trouble for placing novels inside textbooks and reading them while pretending to be doing schoolwork.  

How did your passion for writing develop at school? 

I had an amazing English teacher called Mrs Stringfellow. I wrote a story which she liked, and she said to me, 'Maybe one day you will be a writer.' Those words meant so much to me. 

When did you start writing your first novel? 

I wrote a novel in the sixth form at St Helen's. I think it was probably only about 30 pages actually. At University I slightly lost my nerve and I didn't start writing again until my late twenties.  

How many novels have you written? 

'The Matchbox Girl' is my fifth novel, but I have also written a memoir, plus plays and short stories. Although I have written in many different forms, the novel will always be my first love. 

Where do you get your inspiration from? 

I am never short of ideas. It is really a question of prioritising and picking out the best ideas. I am attracted to moral ambiguity. Whenever I hear people discussing a question and I think, 'I just don't know what to think about that,' then that's likely to be the start of a story. 

What was the catalyst for the subject of your latest novel ‘The Matchbox Girl’? 

I have always been interested in collaboration because it is such a thorny, shameful topic which makes us all feel uncomfortable. I don't want to tell stories which feature only good and inspiring people. I tend to be more interested in the people who fail or who lack the courage to do the right thing.  

Thank you to Alice for sharing her thoughts with us and keeping the community updated with her news. We wish Alice all the best with the launch of her latest novel!