Brain Snacks: Tasty Tidbits of Knowledge
A. S. Byatt has said that Possession was inspired by the word "possession" itself. So, next time you're struck by the awesomeness of any particular word, just think: there may be a novel in there somewhere. (Source)
Possession's film adaptation chose not to include many—we might even say most—of the novel's minor characters. Not even Roland Mitchell's gloomy girlfriend Val makes the cut. (Source)
A. S. Byatt's office bears a striking resemblance to Maud Bailey's apartment. The walls are bright white, but the office is full of "brightly coloured" things. Compare that to the description of Maud's living room at Possession 4.118. (Source)
One of A.S. Byatt's interviewers once suggested that Beatrice Nest is "the central figure" and "avenging angel" of Possession, and Byatt herself agreed. Well, well. (Source)
A. S. Byatt has described herself as "a natural solitary," and has said that all of the things she's done that have "really mattered" to her—apart making her family, that is—are things that she did when she was on her own. Sounds like she and Maud Bailey share more than their decorating sense in common. (Source)