Elizabeth Mary “Libby” Purves (born 1950 in London) is a British writer, radio broadcaster and journalist. Her debut book, Britain at Play, was published in London in 1982 under the Robson Books imprint. It has been followed by twelve novels, including A Long Walk in Wintertime (1996), Home Leave (1997), Regatta (1999), and Shadow Child (2007). Purves is also the author of some non-fiction titles: a memoir recalling her religious upbringing, a collection of books on childcare and a travel book.

Purves’s 2004 novel Continental Drift tells the story of Eva, a Polish girl who moves in with an English family; the book highlights the differences between Eastern and Western Europe.

Libby Purves is the chief theatre critic of The Times and the host of the BBC’s Midweek radio programme.

− compiled by Aleksandra Michalak

The following are links to the websites with information about the author:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libby_Purves

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/profile/Libby-Purves

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/feb/07/pressandpublishing-theatre

http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/09-2013/libby-purves-axed-as-lead-theatre-critic-of-the-ti_31939.html