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Sarah Waters in Conversation – the acclaimed novelist at University of Leicester’s Literary Leicester Festival
12 November 2009 — 12 November 2009
Leicester, University of
One highlight of the University of Leicester’s Literary Leicester Festival will be a discussion with novelist Sarah Waters. The event will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday 12 November in the new David Wilson Library at the University of Leicester.
Sarah Waters was named Author of the Year three times in 2002: by the British Book Awards, by the Booksellers’ Association and by Waterstone’s Booksellers. She was chosen as one of Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists in 2003. Her award-winning trilogy of neo-Victorian novels, Fingersmith, Affinity and Tipping the Velvet, have all been adapted for TV.
Dr Emma Parker, Senior Lecturer from the University’s School of English, will be asking Sarah Waters about the appeal of the periods she has chosen to represent, the significance of historical fiction, the relationship between past and present, and how issues of gender, class and sexuality shape history. They will also discuss how her work fits into a tradition of lesbian literature and what it means to be one of Britain’s ‘50 Most Influential Gay Women’.
Dr Parker commented: ‘Sarah Waters is one of Britain’s foremost writers. Her novels reveal alternative histories that offer a new perspective on the past. By turns poignant and uplifting, her representation of love between women has moved lesbian historical fiction from the margins into the mainstream.’
Other Festival highlights will include poetry readings by the eminent poet, writer and broadcaster Peter Porter (11th November); the distinguished critic, reviewer, broadcaster and author John Carey on ‘William Golding: How Novels Happen’ (11th November); and a panel of four of the UK’s most exciting professional writers for television (12th November), who will discuss how they entered the profession, how television scripts are commissioned, and opportunities for young writers.
Equally unmissable are ‘An Evening with R J Ellory’ (14th November), whose latest book The Anniversary Man is published in September 2009; Leicester University Theatre performing extracts from Harold Pinter’s plays in A Celebration of Harold Pinter (14th November); acclaimed children’s writer Jacqueline Wilson reading from her latest book Hetty Feather (14th November); award winning author Meg Rosoff talking about her upcoming novel, The Bride’s Farewell (14th November); and for lover’s of traditional tales Pekko’s Puppets will perform Red Riding Hood and The Princess and the Pea (14th November).
All events are free of charge. Tickets are in high demand for Sarah Waters in Conversation so book early to avoid disappointment.