In "A Place of Greater Safety" by Hilary Mantel, the author discusses the challenges of restructuring historical narratives, emphasizing the need for creative interpretation. The phrase "Of course I have had to rearrange the text a bit—bugger about with it, as Hébert would say" reflects the author's approach to weaving complex characters and events into a coherent story.

Mantel's work highlights the necessity of adapting historical facts to capture the essence of the past while ensuring it resonates with contemporary readers. This process of reshaping narratives allows for a deeper engagement with the themes and struggles of the characters involved in significant historical events.