The Southbank Centre’s annual London Literature Festival is back with a stellar programme of literary events, spread across the complex’s 17-acre site. Hosting literature’s great and good, iconic artists, emerging talent, internationally acclaimed authors and leading thinkers, it’s one brainy ten-day pow wow, themed around literature’s darling ‘The Odyssey’. The Who frontman Roger Daltrey is even using the chance to launch his memoir. And if that wasn’t a big enough name for you then Salman Rushdie, ‘Forrest Gump’ star Sally Field, poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Akala and Mary Beard are also appearing on the bill so book fast if you’re keen to see the big hitters. But it’s just as much as chance to see inspiring newcomers talk about their work and influences: Nikesh Shukla, the editor of British Book Award-shortlisted anthology The Good Immigrant, discusses his new YA novel ‘Run, Riot,’ Sharlene Teo, Madeleine Miller and Simon Goldhill reading ‘The Odyssey’ and the world premiere performance of Chibundu Onuzo’s ‘1991’, a new commission from Southbank Centre. If books are your bag, it’s time to dust off your diary and get your hands on those tickets.
By Megan Carnegie
