The Londonist Literary List appears every Tuesday. If you’d like to bring an event to our attention, please email [email protected].
This part of the world is doing quite well in literary circles these days, what with all of the praise heaped on the Booker Prize nominees and Harold Pinter winning the Nobel Prize. Heck, we've even noticed some American publications musing over their readerships' envy of British literature. And to really drive the point home, the city of London has pulled through this week with an unusually impressive lineup of literary events...
Events Around London:
Tonight, London legend Iain Sinclair (pictured) pops into the London Review Bookshop to read from his latest novel, Edge of the Orison, and then take questions from the audience. London Review Bookshop, 14 Bury Place. 7pm. £4 (contact shop at [email protected] for tickets).
On Thursday (the 20th), lit magazine Ambit and indie publisher Seren get together for a joint birthday party. Even though it's a birthday party, it's still a literary gathering, so there will be readings. However, to keep partiers from growing bored, the readings will be "very short." Foyle's, 113-119 Charing Cross Road. 6:30pm. FREE
Saturday (the 22nd), 2005 Booker Prize winner John Banville joins Patrick McGrath and filmmaker Matthias Muller on stage as a part of the Wanderlust series at Royal Festival Hall. They'll be discussing the souls of cities through the examination of three "iconic cities." Belvedere Road. 4pm. See website to buy tickets. £8.50 (plus booking fee).
Later on Saturday, and also as a part of the Wanderlust series, Jamaica Kincaid is scheduled to talk with critic Marina Warner. The event description says Kincaid will be discussing her "personal journey" through life, but we'll put our money on the assumption that she'll also be speaking at length about her life's work as a novelist. Belvedere Road. 7:45pm. See website to buy tickets. £8.50 (plus booking fee).
On Monday (the 24th), novelist Cory Doctorow will celebrate the launch of his new novel, Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town, which in the author's own words is a "fantasy novel about wireless networking." Um, maybe someone should tell him that you can have a wireless network installed in your home for about £40, no fantasy involved? No, no, I'm sure it's more complicated than that. See website for more info and to RSVP. Stanhope Centre for Communications Policy Research, Stanhope House, Stanhope Place (just remember Stanhope). 6:30pm. FREE
New Releases:
The Paper House, by Carlos Maria Dominguez
The Penelopiad, by Margaret Atwood
Other News:
The Off the Shelf Festival of Writing and Reading continues through next week with a slew of events. See website for complete listings and info.
