FESTIVAL BOOKS | Previews
TOP 5
EVENTS ABOUT RELIGION Religion and faith continue to provide rich veins of inspiration for writers the world over, as well as offering endlessly debated and provocative areas of discussion. These five events are guaranteed to provide food for thought for truth seekers of every stripe. All events take place at Charlotte Square Gardens – call 0845 373 5888 for booking info.
Rowan Williams The former Archbishop (pictured) has a unique vantage point on issues facing the established church in Britain, and is admired for the clarity of thought in his contemplative writings. This should be an insightful hour of discussion. 15 Aug, 10am, £10 (£8). John Tolan Tolan argues that the history of East−West relations surrounding Islam is profoundly complex, and in his book Europe and the Islamic World offers a look beyond the media’s caricatured image of fundamentalism. Anyone keen to think about the far-reaching implications of organised beliefs will find much to chew on here. 19 Aug, 2pm, £10 (£8).
Marina Warner Joan of Arc and Mary the mother of Jesus: two icons of Christian tradition who have fascinated and intrigued influential feminist writer Marina Warner so much that she wrote acclaimed and provocative books on each of them in the 70s and 80s. Warner comes to the Book Festival to delve back into their culture-shaping mythologies as the two books are published in new editions. 20 Aug, 11am, £10 (£8).
Colm Tóibín The Virgin Mary is a popular figure at this year’s Festival, and will be reimagined once more as former Booker nominee Tóibín presents his new novella The Testament of Mary, in conversation with EIBF regular Richard Holloway. 20 Aug, 4.30pm, £10 (£8). Steve Jones Steve Jones is a geneticist on a mission: to connect science and the Bible in a meaningful way. Can such a quest ever be successful? It’s that question that makes this event worthy of appearance on this list. Whatever Jones’ destination, it will be interesting to join him on the journey. 23 Aug, 11.30am, £10 (£8). (Paul Gallagher)
34 THE LIST FESTIVAL 15–26 Aug 2013
DANIEL RACHEL Exploring the art of songwriting
In the late 1990s, Daniel Rachel was pursuing his dream of becoming a successful musician when he first read Songwriters on Songwriting, a collection of interviews with some of North America’s most celebrated songwriters. He returned to the same shop where he had bought the book, intending to pick up its British equivalent, but was surprised to discover that no such book existed. ‘I had no inkling to want to write it’ says Rachel of the soon-to-be-released Isle of Noises, focused as he was at the time on his musical career. Some ten years later, and little closer to his dream, Rachel decided to write the book that still hadn’t been written. ‘What else could I do?’
However, this undertaking would mean an end to Rachel’s musical career. ‘I pulled a guillotine
down on my music and decided to become a writer,’ he confesses; something which he will no doubt discuss in greater length at Edinburgh International Book Festival, when roles are reversed and the new author is interviewed by Idlewild frontman and songwriter Roddy Woomble. Rachel hopes the great theme that will emerge from the book is that ‘nobody can tell you how to write a song’. In fact, Isle of Noises offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a songwriter, featuring interviews with a number of Britain’s greatest, from Joan Armatrading to Damon Albarn and Billy Bragg to Laura Marling, allowing the reader to ‘share part of that secret world’, as Rachel puts it. When asked how he feels about the impending release of his book, he quite tellingly replies, ‘it feels like I’ve got something coming out on a major record label, which is what I always wanted. It’s a joyous feeling’. (Campbell Miller) ■ Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 21 Aug, 8.30pm, £10 (£8).
FIFTY SHADES OF FEMINISM / WHERE HAVE ALL THE BRAVE GIRLS GONE? Feminism under the spotlight
Sometimes, as Tammy Wynette sang, it’s hard to be a woman − even decades on from the big upsurge of feminism in the 1970s. But what’s changed since then? Veteran women’s publishers Virago attempted to
start a debate with the anthology Fifty Shades of Feminism, featuring short essays from 50 well known women. Co-editor Lisa Apignanesi and writer Kamila Shamsie join book fest guest selector Kate Mosse
– founder of the Women’s Prize for Fiction – on 20 August to ask where we are now. On 22 August, Mosse joins Australian teen fiction
author John Marsden and young British writer Samantha Shannon to ask: ‘Where have all the brave girls gone?’ They suggest that although children’s books often feature a sparky heroine, boys lead most of the action in young adult fiction. But why? Both big questions should start lively debates – and maybe even controversy. (Andrea Mullaney) ■ Charlotte Square Gardens, 0845 373 5888, 20 Aug, 3pm, £10 (£8); 22 Aug, 5pm, £10 (£8).