Stella Gibbons’s novels are primarily a source of material for articles about unseen influences: there are references to Stella Gibbons and her books in a few articles on here.
These two novelists have more elements of their lives in common than I would have expected, considering how very different their novels are. I looked at the major similarities and differences in their lives and personalities to see if I could see any patterns and detect any unseen influences at work. Although I found much fascinating and informative material, most of it is not very relevant to this blog. I did find a few interesting coincidences however.
It is customary to leave the best till last, but I want to start with the most bizarre and unexpected material that I found while researching the two authors:
Novels and the Nazis
It is quite a coincidence that the names of both writers were known to the Nazi regime - for very different reasons.
Georgette Heyer had some of her books banned in Nazi Germany, whereas one of Stella Gibbons’s was translated into German and presented to Adolf Hitler!
There is little information available about which of Georgette Heyer’s books were banned and why. All we know is that Georgette Heyer considered it rather a compliment to be banned and said that it was ‘grand’!
I have looked at a list of her output from the start in 1921 up to 1940. It surely can’t be any of the Georgian or Regency novels. The detective and historical books are unlikely candidates too, which leaves only the contemporary novels, some of which she later suppressed - probably for being too revealing Perhaps these books were considered immoral by the Nazis.
As for Stella Gibbons, her novel Nightingale Wood was one of four books selected for translation by a German patriot who believed in the power of the word to combat Nazism and wanted to counter anti-British propaganda in Germany; the others were political works.
The books were printed by a publishing form controlled by Hermann Göring that produced high quality books. They were produced as beautiful works of art on fine quality paper with a floral design on cloth bindings. Adolf Hitler was presented with copies of all four books and put them in his library.
Nightingale Wood, which was first published in 1938, is based on the Cinderella story. The translator thought that it was ideal for presenting English culture in an attractive way.
I wonder whether Adolf Hitler actually read it. I can’t see him enjoying a romantic story about a girl who goes to a ball and marries the local prince.
Either way, the books did not have the effect that the translator hoped for: war against Britain was not averted.
Stella Gibbons didn’t learn that her book had been an intended weapon against fascism and a hotline to Adolf Hitler until the 1970s. I wish I knew what her reaction was.
Some basic situational coincidences
Both authors were children of the Edwardian age. They were born in 1902, Stella Gibbons in January, Georgette Heyer in August.
Both authors were born in London, Georgette Heyer in Wimbledon in the south west and Stella Gibbons in Kentish Town in the north.
Both were the eldest of three children; both had two younger brothers and no sisters.
Both told stories to their brothers, Stella to help them escape from their dreadful home environment and Georgette mainly for their entertainment.
Both went to school for the first time at the age of 13.
Georgette Heyer’s father died from a heart attack in 1925; Stella Gibbons’s father died from heart disease aggravated by heavy drinking in 1926.
Both assumed family responsibilities after their fathers died leaving young sons and no money; they were the sole or main breadwinners for much of their lives, even after they married.
Georgette Heyer was a mother of one, a son; Stella Gibbons too had just one child, a daughter.
Some basic personal coincidences
Both authors were tall, with strong features.
Both authors were very interested in clothes, fashion and clothing fabrics.
Neither author had any interest in sports: Stella Gibbons hated organised games at school and Georgette Heyer was proud of never exercising and playing no ball games.
Both authors were heavy smokers and drinkers.
Both authors hated arguments and confrontation.
Both authors mocked psychoanalysis and disliked Freudians.
Both authors were reactionaries and did not much care for the modern world.
Both authors were very private people. Neither liked publicity or self-promotion or wanted to be a celebrity. Georgette Heyer would never give interviews and Stella Gibbons just gave a few around the time of her 80th birthday.
One final coincidence:
Georgette Heyer wrote one book under a pseudonym. The name she chose was Stella Martin.
Sources of biographical information
There is just one main biography for each of the two novelists:
Georgette Heyer: Biography of a Bestseller by Jennifer Kloester
Out of the Woodshed: The Life of Stella Gibbons by Reggie Oliver, who is Stella Gibbons’s nephew.
Both authors were children of the Edwardian age. They were born in 1902, Stella Gibbons in January, Georgette Heyer in August.
Both authors were born in London, Georgette Heyer in Wimbledon in the south west and Stella Gibbons in Kentish Town in the north.
Both were the eldest of three children; both had two younger brothers and no sisters.
Both told stories to their brothers, Stella to help them escape from their dreadful home environment and Georgette mainly for their entertainment.
Both went to school for the first time at the age of 13.
Georgette Heyer’s father died from a heart attack in 1925; Stella Gibbons’s father died from heart disease aggravated by heavy drinking in 1926.
Both assumed family responsibilities after their fathers died leaving young sons and no money; they were the sole or main breadwinners for much of their lives, even after they married.
Georgette Heyer was a mother of one, a son; Stella Gibbons too had just one child, a daughter.
Some basic personal coincidences
Both authors were tall, with strong features.
Both authors were very interested in clothes, fashion and clothing fabrics.
Neither author had any interest in sports: Stella Gibbons hated organised games at school and Georgette Heyer was proud of never exercising and playing no ball games.
Both authors were heavy smokers and drinkers.
Both authors hated arguments and confrontation.
Both authors mocked psychoanalysis and disliked Freudians.
Both authors were reactionaries and did not much care for the modern world.
Both authors were very private people. Neither liked publicity or self-promotion or wanted to be a celebrity. Georgette Heyer would never give interviews and Stella Gibbons just gave a few around the time of her 80th birthday.
One final coincidence:
Georgette Heyer wrote one book under a pseudonym. The name she chose was Stella Martin.
Sources of biographical information
There is just one main biography for each of the two novelists:
Georgette Heyer: Biography of a Bestseller by Jennifer Kloester
Out of the Woodshed: The Life of Stella Gibbons by Reggie Oliver, who is Stella Gibbons’s nephew.
