It says a great deal about our town in that in just four years the Henley Literary Festival has become such a popular and praised national event. But it couldn't have happened without the support of the council, the sponsorship from local business and, most importantly, the enthusiasm of the people of Henley-on-Thames. The support has been such during the first three years of the Festival that it will now run over five days from September 29th - October 3rd, with 100 events being held.
One of the most important attractions for authors is that they know when they come to Henley there is a range of different venues, from the grandeur of the Town Hall to the ornate surroundings of the Kenton Theatre, the beamed atmosphere of King's Arms Barn, the River and Rowing Museum, the Hibernia and the Waterman boats for the river readings, the elegant charm of Phyllis Court, the splendour of St Mary's Church, or the intimacy of settings like the new cricket club pavilion, Lovibonds Brewery and the Hot Gossip cafe.
The authors also know that they will get a lively, challenging and intelligent audience, as is shown by the wonderful range of writers heading to Henley - Melvyn Bragg, Max Hastings, Penelope Lively, Ron Moody, Lionel Shriver, Andrew O'Hagan, Alexei Sayle , Stephen Berkoff, Shirley Williams and Matthew Parris, to name but a few.
It would be hard to find a subject that isn't covered; there's a pop quiz with John Harris, a range of events for children, Indian and Italian cookery demonstrations, the chance to meet June Spencer who plays Peggy in the Archers, Craig Brown and Eleanor Bron returning to the stage at the Kenton and even Gary Lineker with his World Cup Diary.
The River Readings, part of the Festival since year one, are back again with names such as actor Simon Williams and comedienne Helen Lederer taking part.
Festival founder and director Sue Ryan says: 'The sheer variety of our programmeis one of the reasons that it has become established so quickly. We want to be inclusive, not exclusive, and we hope that when people look through our programme they will find a range of things they want go to. This year we have introduced a 'Girls Day Out' at Phyllis Court on the Thursday, as well as Pram friendly events to enable mothers of young children to come along. I think there is truly something for everyone this year. '
The Henley Literary Festival are pleased to offer a 33% discount off three groups of events to the Best of Henley subscribers.
Simply select the offer(s) you wish to take advantage of and use the promotion code 'THEBESTOF' when booking.
Offer 1: A Novel Weekend - Gives you the chance to hear from bestselling novelists Piers Paul Read, Andrew O'Hagan, Jonathan Coe and Blake Morrison.
Offer 2: A Feminine Touch - Hear novelists Santa Montefiore and Jojo Moyes, creators of the BBC Cranford series Sue Birtwhistle and Susie Conklin, and muliti-million-selling author Allison Pearson.
Offer 3: A Matter of Fact - For non-fiction lovers, three events to enthral and enrage - Colonel Stuart Tootal (commander of 3 Para in Afghanistan in 2006), Alexander Maitland with Tim Butcher, and Denys Blakeway.
To book your tickets, call 01189 724 700, visit www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk, or come to the Box Office at the River & Rowing Museum between 10am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
OFFER 1
The chance to hear from four authors whose work has made them bestsellers. Piers Paul Reed's The Misogynist is a darkly humorous, satirical and moving story of a lonely man reassessing his life. Andrew O'Hagan has used a dog to narrate his latest book The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His friend Marilyn Monroe. Painstakingly researched it provides a remarkable and amusing insight into Hollywood. Jonathan Coe and Blake Morrison - two of the finest English novelists of the past 20 years- are interviewed by the award-winning Tim Lott about their latest novels The Terrible Privacy of Maxwell Sim and The Last Weekend.
Piers Paul Read Saturday Oct 2 - 10.30 am
Andrew O'Hagan - Saturday Oct 2 - 1.30 pm
Jonathan Coe & Blake Morrison - Sunday Oct 3 - 3.30pm
OFFER 2
What a line-up. Santa Montefiore and Jojo Moyes talk about their latest books - The Affair and The Last Letter from Your Lover which both feature romance, intrigue and temptation. No one who saw the BBC series Cranford will want to miss the chance to hear from the creators of the programme Sue Birtwhistle and Susie Conklin whose book details how the village was created. Best-selling author and leading Telegraph journalist Allison Pearson talks about her long-awaited new novel I Think I love You, follow up to her multi-million selling I Don't Know How She Does It.
Santa Montefiore & Jojo Moyes - Thursday Sept 30 - 3pm
Sue Birtwhistle and Susie Conklin Sunday Oct 3 - 11 am
Allison Pearson Sunday Oct 3 - 2pm
OFFER 3
For lovers of non-fiction here are three events to enthral and engage. Colonel Tootal was commander of 3 PARA when they went into Afghanistan's Helmand province in 2006. His book, 'Danger Close: The True Story of Helmand from the Leader of 3 Para' is an honest account of conflict from a controversial officer who resigned from the army over the treatment of his men. Alexander Maitland's 'Wilfred Thesiger in Africa' details the life of the great explorer, while journalist Tim Butcher's 'Chasing the Devil' chronicles his journey through Sierra Leone and Liberia in the footsteps of Graham Greene. Denys Blakeway's 'The Last Dance' is a fascinating look at 1936 as Europe headed towards war through the intimate diaries of those who witnessed it, from politicians to shopkeepers.
Colonel Stuart Tootal - Wednesday Sept 29 - 11.00 am
Alexander Maitland & Tim Butcher - Friday Oct 1- 11.00 am
Denys Blakeway - Friday Oct 1 - 1pm