Author explores a love that helped build our city in her gorgeous debut novel

In her debut novel, Longford: A Manchester Love Story, Juliette Tomlinson dives into the rich history of 19th-century Manchester, bringing to life the captivating love story of John Rylands and Enriqueta, a partnership that left a huge mark on the city.

Best known today for the magnificent Rylands Library on Deansgate, the story of John and Enriqueta Rylands is one of ambition, resilience, and an extraordinary shared vision.

Yet, as Juliette points out, “Lots of people know the name from the Rylands Library… but beyond that, lots of people don’t know very much. Indeed, really, none of us know very much about his life.”

Longford: A Manchester Love Story

Juliette’s connection to the tale is both intellectual and deeply personal.

“For me, it came to light, originally, because my great uncle lived in Longton Park, one of the houses built for the workers,” she shared.

As a child, she would visit him, travelling through the area that would later inspire her novel. Longford Park in Stretford, a stone’s throw from her current home, became a setting of fascination and imagination. “I spent a lot of time walking around it, absorbing all the—I suppose—ghosts of the past.”

Her curiosity about John Rylands, Manchester’s first millionaire, and his remarkable wife Enriqueta began to grow. She describes Enriqueta as “Remarkable and intriguing. Originally from Cuba, she was a well-travelled woman, spending time at the University of Lisbon, in New York, the UK, and Paris.”

The more Juliette uncovered, the more she realised how much of Enriqueta’s story was untold: “We had some bare bones of fact, but we didn’t really know the true nature of their love story. That’s when my mind started ticking, and I began to build the fictional part around it.”

Juliette Tomlinson’s historical drama

For Juliette, bringing the past to life meant immersing herself in research. “I didn’t think I’d know as much about the ship canal as I do now!” she laughed.

Juliette into the details of 19th-century domestic life—clothing, food, music, dances—and focused on the vibrancy of everyday community.

“I like fun, love, pubs, shops, churches, gardens, and the idea of community. That was one of the things I enjoyed most: searching the notion of community.”

Writing, however, was not without its hurdles. Structuring the novel around two intertwining timelines presented a challenge.

“I bought loads of dressmakers’ paper—just very long pieces of paper—and plotted it all out,” she explained. “The timelines work against each other, or with each other, to a point. I had to make sure I was always following those lines.”

While historical accuracy was key, Juliette also relished the freedom to embellish the facts, especially when creating peripheral characters.

“I felt I had to really respect John and Enriqueta because they’re serious parts of our history… but the orbital characters?

“I could have a bit more fun with them.” One particularly memorable character, set in Lyon, was based on a real person she encountered there.

As for Lyon itself, though Enriqueta spent time in France, Tomlinson admits to some creative liberties. “The Lyon setting was one that I created, though I based it on a real house I’ve been to.”

Manchester’s heartbeat

At its core, Longford is as much about Manchester as it is about the Rylands. “One thing that came close to my heart when I was researching John and Enriqueta was their focus on community.

“In a way, they created the Manchester we see now. His imprint is everywhere, her imprint is everywhere.”

This sense of connection extends to modern Manchester, which Juliette describes as a city of resilience and camaraderie.

“We are such a strong community,” she said. “There are endless community projects. We’re all so loyal to each other.”

While Tomlinson hasn’t yet heard from the Rylands’ descendants—“We don’t think there are many left”—she is hopeful that her work will inspire others to delve into their legacy.

She praised the Rylands Library, where scholars like Dr. Gao are shedding light on Enriqueta’s contributions.

“I think there’s a recognition now that not enough was placed on Enriqueta for her mastery and her contribution to John’s life. I think we’re going to see a lot more on that as the years go by.”

With a second novel, Sunnyside, already in the works, Tomlinson is continuing to weave fiction and history, capturing the essence of Manchester and its people. For readers, Longford offers not just a love story, but a vivid journey into a city’s soul, seen through the eyes of one of its most enduring couples.

Where can I buy Longford: A Manchester Love Story?

You can get a copy of Longford: A Manchester Love Story by clicking here