London Literature Festival

Literary stars join us at Southbank Centre this season at two prize-reading events – the 2013 Man International Booker Prize Readings and the Women’s Prize for Fiction Readings.

Celebrated biographer Claire Tomalin presents five lectures on literary icons such as Thomas Hardy and Jane Austen.

Best-selling authors read from and discuss their work, including Barbara Kingsolver, Audrey Niffenegger, Lionel Shriver and William Dalrymple.

We mix things up with live poetry, short plays, music based on Pablo Neruda’s poetry and discussions on fame, communities and the graphic novel.

Events include:

20 May: 2013 Man Booker International Prize Readings
We launch the London Literature Festival with a glorious night of readings from some of the nominees for the Man Booker International Prize 2013.

22 May: Melvyn Bragg
Melvyn Bragg launches his new novel Grace and Mary at the London Literature Festival.

24 May: Gavin Turk and Jarvis Cocker
Gavin Turk and musician Jarvis Cocker discuss fame and identity.

25 May: Rupert Everett
Rupert Everett, one of the leading actors of his generation, discusses his career and his best-selling memoirs.

27 - 30 May: Dogs Don't Do Ballet
The sublime and the ridiculous combine in this hilarious story of a small dog with a big personality and even bigger dreams. The tale is brought to life by Little Angel Theatre using beautiful puppets, well-loved ballet music and comedy.

2 June: Paul Theroux
The Last Train to Zona Verde is Paul Theroux's ultimate safari. He talks to Rosie Goldsmith about his journey in the kingdom of light, from Cape Town, heading northwards up the left-hand side, through South Africa and Namibia, to Botswana, then on into Angola, heading for the Congo, in search of the end of the line.


For full schedule of events see the official website.