Marina Warner

Marina Warner is a writer of fiction, criticism and history; her works include novels and short stories as well as studies of art, myths, symbols and fairytales.
“My critical and historical books and essays explore different figures in myth and fairy tale, such as the Virgin Mary and Joan of Arc; more recently I have concentrated on fairy tales, including the Arabian Nights. I also write novels and short stories, often drawing on mythic or other imaginary predecessors to translate them into contemporary significance – to re-vision them.

Stories come from the past but speak to the present, and I have found that I need to write stories as well as deconstruct them and place them in historical contexts, because I myself love reading works of imagination, and I would like to join the conversation with admired predecessors, who range from Apuleius to Virginia Woolf, Italo Calvino, and Angela Carter.”

Recent Diary Entries

11 July 2025: Interview with Kitty Grady – ‘A Place of One’s Own’

15/07/25

‘A Place of One’s Own – Marina Warner on how we forgot the meaning of sanctuary’ is in the Financial Times Weekend magazine summer arts special. Kitty Grady visited Marina to discuss Sanctuary – read the piece below or click on the image to find it onl …

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TLS Summer books 2025 – Marina’s recommendations

10/07/25

Alongside Margaret Drabble, A. E. Stallings, Frances Wilson, Paul Muldoon and a whole host of other TLS writers (24 in total), Marina has offered up some book recommendations for the summer. Here is a snippet from her contribution: ‘I am looking forwar …

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‘How to Create Sanctuary Now?’, The Folklore Society, Tuesday 15 July, 7pm

10/07/25

Marina is giving an online talk titled ‘How to Create Sanctuary Now?’ for the Folklore Society at 7pm on July 15, 2025. Tickets are available on eventbrite for £6 (£4 for members).

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Latest Publications