Edinburgh International Book Festival Themes: Mesmerising Memoirs
This Festival we hear from authors with extraordinary personal stories to tell. These sacred glimpses into the very different lives of others have a shared humanity at their heart.
About Edinburgh International Book Festival Themes: Mesmerising Memoirs
‘And (I was taught) you don’t tell your secrets to strangers — certainly not secrets that expose error, weakness, failure. Nothing is just personal. And all readers are strangers.’ Wrote Margo Jefferson in her first memoir Negroland. And it’s perhaps this sense of exposing ourselves, our lives and our vulnerabilities to others that makes memoir writing one of the most courageous and compelling forms of storytelling. This Festival we hear from authors with extraordinary personal stories to tell. Whether set in the fields of pre-genocide Rwanda, or the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland; in 1980s Palestine or 1950s Manchester: these sacred glimpses into the very different lives of others have a shared humanity at their heart.
Henry Marsh: Of Life and Death
Saturday 13 August 10:30 - 11:30
Fintan O'Toole: The Unknown Knowns of Ireland
Saturday 13 August 16:00 - 17:00
Abi Morgan: For Love Nor Pity
Saturday 13 August 19:00 - 20:00
Martha Wainwright: Failure, Fame and Family
Saturday 13 August 20:30 - 21:30
Osman Yousefzada: Growing Up Between Different Worlds
Sunday 14 August 18:15 - 19:15
Margo Jefferson: The Art of Self-Construction
Sunday 14 August 20:15 - 21:15
Howard Jacobson: A Manchester Mother's Boy
Monday 15 August 13:00 - 14:00
Justin Webb: Radio Saved My Life
Monday 15 August 16:00 - 17:00
Amy Bloom: Till Death Us Do Part
Monday 15 August 16:30 - 17:30
Raja Shehadeh: To Absent Fathers
Tuesday 16 August 13:00 - 14:00
Nancy Campbell & Siri Helle: Home Sweet Home
Wednesday 17 August 14:15 - 15:15
Vashti Bunyan: A Wayward Life of Music
Wednesday 17 August 16:00 - 17:00
Helen Garner: The Worth of Paying Attention
Wednesday 17 August 20:15 - 21:15
Esa Aldegheri: The Freedom Drive
Thursday 18 August 12:15 - 13:15
Simon Woolley: Shaking Up the Establishment
Thursday 18 August 14:30 - 15:30
Scholastique Mukasonga: Mother Courage
Thursday 18 August 16:15 - 17:15
Ricky Ross: Deacon Blue and Me
Thursday 18 August 17:30 - 18:30
Jennifer Croft: Finding the Words
Thursday 18 August 20:15 - 21:15
Ali Millar: Waiting for Armageddon
Sunday 21 August 10:15 - 11:15
Gulbahar Haitiwaji: To Make Us Slowly Disappear
Sunday 21 August 13:30 - 14:30
Alan Cumming: Unpacking a Life
Sunday 21 August 17:00 - 18:00
Zain E Asher: Tough Love
Monday 22 August 12:15 - 13:15
Close Read: Open Book on Memoir
Monday 22 August 13:00 - 14:30
Kathryn Schulz: Love Lost and Found
Monday 22 August 18:15 - 19:15
Amy Liptrot: Traffic Islands Are for Lovers
Monday 22 August 19:00 - 20:00
Norman Scott: The Establishment (Almost) Always Wins
Wednesday 24 August 13:00 - 14:00
Lea Ypi with Allan Little: What Does Freedom Mean in Europe?
Friday 26 August 16:00 - 17:00
Lennie Goodings: Publishing to Change the World
Sunday 28 August 12:15 - 13:15
Kit de Waal: Scenes from an Unpredictable Childhood
Monday 29 August 14:30 - 15:30
Michelle Zauner: Comfort Food
Monday 29 August 15:30 - 16:30
Brian Cox with Nicola Sturgeon: The Lion of Dundee
Monday 29 August 20:30 - 21:30
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Sponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Abbey Strand Book Club
Explore spaces and objects which have shaped history and inspired fiction at the Abbey Strand book club!
READ MORE
Sharky McShark Story Time with Alison Murray
Join us at Waterstones Edinburgh West End on Saturday 27th of April as Alison Murray, author of Sharky McShark, joins us in-store for story time.
READ MORE
Spring Poetry Pamphlet Fair
Come along to the Scottish Poetry Library to browse and buy poetry pamphlets, periodicals and zines from some of Scotland’s incredible independent presses.
READ MORE
The Epic History of The Lord of the Rings
Journey deep into Tolkien's imagination, from The Lord of the Ring's mythic roots to its enduring legacy. Followed by Q&A.
READ MORE
Bookface Sip & Swap with Helen Fields
Meet bestselling crime thriller author Helen Fields at the Bookface Sip & Swap in The Cold Town House, Grassmarket on 5th May!
READ MORE
Book Launch: Yum by Susi Briggs - Part of Edinburgh Tradfest 2024
Join Susi Briggs for stories in the cosy Storytelling Court to celebrate the launch of her new book Yum, illustrated by Charlotte Brayley and published by Foggie Toddle Books.
READ MORE
Author Talk- Margaret Lillie
Join us at McDonald Road Library as we welcome the children's author Margaret Lillie on Saturday 11th May! Suitable for ages 4-7.
READ MORE
Holy Corner Booksale
The Holy Corner Booksale for Christian Aid is back in Morningside United Church from 11th to 13th May with a wide variety of categories for sale!
READ MORE
The Book of Wild Flowers: In Conversation with Angie Lewin
Join illustrator Angie Lewin and author Christopher Stocks in conversation with Dovecot Director, Celia Joicey, to discuss The Book of Wild Flowers plus a last chance to see Andy Warhol: The Textiles!
READ MORESponsored Links
Find other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links