Popular actress and bestselling non-fiction author Sheila Hancock will be heading a stellar literary cast at next month’s Lavenham Literary Festival.
The three-day festival between Friday 13 November and Sunday 15 November will see Sheila Hancock gets into deep conversation about her debut novel, Miss Carter’s War, with international award-winning writer – and good friend - Kate Mosse, who herself will also be taking to the stage the day before.
The landmark encounter, which takes place at 10am on Sunday 15 November, is a highlight of a widely anticipated packed weekend of literary events, held primarily in the village hall, which will put the spotlight on the village.
A packed Saturday will see Toby Buchan discuss the seminal The 39 Steps, authored by his grandad John, before Tracy Borman talks about her historic book Cromwell: The Untold Story of Henry VIII’s Most Faithful Servant and Rachel Joyce focuses on A Snow Garden, her Christmas-connected collection of stories.
Kate Mosse will also take to the stage, at Lavenham Village Hall, to discuss her latest novel The Taxidermist’s Daughter. On Sunday, and following Sheila Hancock’s session, the festival will focus on the world of spies, both fictional and real, when Andrew Lownie discusses Stalin’s Englishman, detailing the life of the outrageous former ‘Cambridge Spy’ Guy Burgess.
Other highlights over the three days includes a talk from John Higgs, sessions hosted by Peter Gutteridge, and Tom Holland, the author of books on Roman autocracy, Roman and Persian power in the Near East, and the emergence of Islam, who will be the speaker at the literary festival dinner on Friday 13 November at the Swan Hotel, which is the principal supporter of the event.
Patricia Rockall, chair of the Lavenham Literary Festival, said: ‘We are delighted and excited that such talented speakers have been attracted to Lavenham.
“The authors that are returning to the festival say it is friendly and fun and a great celebration of books, while we are looking forward to welcoming some new faces.”
Each session costs just £8 with early booking strongly advised from the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds on 01284 769505
More information on the festival can be found here
