Tessa Hadley & Donal Ryan: Tales of Life and Loss
Book this event online or email the box office at boxoffice@creativefolkestone.org.uk
Step into the captivating worlds of two masterful storytellers, Tessa Hadley and Donal Ryan, as they discuss their latest works of fiction in conversation with Sophie Haydock, champion of the short story and author of The Flames and Madame Matisse.
Tessa Hadley, praised as “one of English’s finest contemporary writers” for her psychological insight and elegant prose, will present her latest short story collection, After the Funeral, and her new novella, The Party. These works delve deep into family dynamics, hidden secrets, and the intricate fabric of relationships, showcasing Hadley’s remarkable ability to illuminate the complexities of ordinary lives.
She will be joined by acclaimed Irish author Donal Ryan, often described as “the king of the new wave of Irish writers.” Known for his lyrical and emotionally resonant narratives, Ryan’s latest novel, Heart Be at Peace, explores themes of love, loss and redemption with poetic grace and deep empathy for his characters.
In this engaging conversation, Hadley and Ryan will examine how they capture the nuances of life, love, and loss in their writing. They will share their approaches to crafting compelling narratives, discuss the unique challenges and rewards of working within the short story and novel forms, and reveal what inspires them to delve so deeply into the human experience.
Join us for an afternoon of literary brilliance, where two acclaimed voices come together to explore life, loss, and resilience. Secure your tickets now for this unmissable event.
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Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, ideas, reading and writing in many magical forms. This year's festival has been curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock. Sophie is our new Curator: Books, Ideas and Community.
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This year's festival is for everyone and we want to make it possible for more people than ever before to be able to come together and enjoy a packed festival. To make this possible we have introduced a £5 ticket. This is a no questions asked ticket for those that may be struggling to afford events and performances.
Or grab a festival pass and enjoy the whole festival for just £140. Click here to book your festival pass
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We thank our sponsors Eurotunnel, Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival and our Education Partner Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year's festival possible.
Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council, Kent County Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.
This event is also supported by Culture Ireland.
