Elodie Harper and Janina Ramirez talk to Samira Ahmed

Peel back the layers of history and learn the stories of misunderstood, ignored and forgotten women in this discussion with writers Elodie Harper and Janina Ramirez. The pair speak to journalist and broadcaster Samira Ahmed about finding and writing about the stories of real women from centuries past.

Harper’s latest novel is Boudicca’s Daughter, in which she imagines the life of Solina, daughter to the legendary warrior and queen. Harper, who worked as a reporter at ITV News, is also the best-selling author of the Wolf Den trilogy.

Historian Ramirez’s Legenda looks at how the lives of women including Joan of Arc and Lady Godiva have been misrepresented by those keen to craft national identities. She explores the real stories behind the legends. Ramirez is an Oxford University academic, author of Femina, and a regular guest presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Front Row.