Marlborough LitFest 2023 announces Big Town Read and non-fiction author

Returning to the Marlborough LitFest 2023 programme is the annual Big Town Read, which this year is Act of Oblivion by bestselling novelist Robert Harris – just out in paperback. Also joining the 2023 line-up is journalist and member of the House of Lords Daniel Finkelstein, talking about his newly-published memoir, Hitler, Stalin, Mum & Dad. There are final reminders to sign up to be a 2023 Friend of LitFest by 23 June as well as entries closing for the festival’s Love Books Competition on 30 June.

Every year Marlborough LitFest, with the support of Wiltshire Libraries, chooses a title which is suggested for local book groups and individuals to read as LitFest’s Big Town Read, ahead of the author appearing at the festival in the autumn. Previous Big Town Read authors have included Laline Paull, Sathnam Sanghera, Jackie Kay, Rachel Joyce, Raynor Winn, Rosamund Lupton and JS Monroe. This event has proved popular with audiences – particularly local book groups – who enjoy the chance to have a Q&A session with the author during the festival.            

Just published in paperback (8 June), Act of Oblivion is bestselling novelist Robert Harris’ latest work of historical fiction, which recounts a 17^th-century manhunt for the killers of Charles I. The Observer calls Harris and this novel: ‘A master storyteller…an important book for our particular historical moment.’ Author of 15 bestselling novels, Harris’ work has been translated into 40 languages and nine of his books have been adapted for cinema and television. He lives locally in West Berkshire. Harris will be appearing at LitFest on Sunday 1 October at 7pm in Marlborough Town Hall.

Multiple copies of Act of Oblivion are available to order from Marlborough Library over the summer (even whilst closed for current building repairs). There will be an order and collect service for library members: call 01672 512663 or email libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk to borrow a copy of the book. The library will arrange a convenient day and time for collection and people will be encouraged to return their copy quickly so that others can read it.

Joining other non-fiction authors at LitFest this year will be Daniel Finkelstein, the longstanding political columnist and member of the House of Lords. His recently published memoir, Hitler, Stalin, Mum & Dad explores the devastating persecution, resistance and survival experienced by both his parents during the Second World War. The Observer calls it ‘Powerful and beautifully written…A modern classic.’ Finkelstein will be appearing at LitFest on Saturday 30 September at 10am at Marlborough Town Hall.

Genevieve Clarke, Chair of the Marlborough LitFest, said: “This year’s Big Town Read, Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris, will make a fitting finale to the festival on the Sunday evening. We trust our audience will come primed with challenging questions for the author.”

A final reminder for LitFest’s Love Books competition which has a deadline of Friday 30 June. Entrants this year could win prizes of £300 and £100 in each age group category by explaining their choice of favourite book, poem or play.

There’s still time to sign up to be a Friend of Marlborough LitFest for 2023; the deadline is Friday 23 June, with a cost of £30. Benefits include priority booking in advance of general sales, an invitation to a celebratory festival event and a copy of the festival brochure by post.

The 2023 festival line-up so far includes authors Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Charlotte Mendelson and Mike Brearley, joining the 2023 LitFest Golding Speaker, Sebastian Barry. The festival aims to champion new, upcoming writers as well as established names and also encourage a love of reading in children and young people with author talks, competitions and LitFest’s community outreach programme.

The full festival programme will be available at the end of June with priority booking from 3 July and general ticket sales from 13 July. For more information click here.

LitFest would like to thank its sponsors, partners and supporters for 2023: new lead festival sponsor Fermoie, main event sponsor Hiscox, founder sponsor Robert Hiscox and event sponsors AG Builders, AM, Bayntun Flowers, Deacons, McFarlane Property, Savernake Dental, Savills, St Francis School, Wansbroughs, William Golding Ltd, Marlborough College and Hamilton Trust; our patron Sir Simon Russell Beale; our partners The White Horse Bookshop, marlborough.news, Wiltshire Libraries and Wiltshire Life; and our supporters Katharine House Gallery and Haine & Smith Opticians.