Mantel began writing the novel in 1975 and completed it in 1979, but was unable to find a publisher. “I wrote a letter to an agent saying would you look at my book, it’s about the French Revolution, it’s not a historical romance, and the letter came back saying, we do not take historical romances [...] because of the expectations surrounding the words ‘French Revolution’ ― that it was bound to be about ladies with high hair."[1] The novel remained unpublished until 1992. Mantel explains that, where possible, she used the historical figures' own words, from their speeches or writings.[2]
The New York Times praised Mantel, but not the book, wondering if "more novel and less history might not better suit this author's unmistakable talent."[3]
