This year
is the third year I have attended the Cheltenham Literature Festival. And I
have to say, it has been phenomenal.
What a
line-up. What choices. What... well, everything really.
And it is
not just bookish types like me who have enjoyed it – my two- and four-year-old
daughters have met their favourite characters, favourite authors, had their
faces painted and, most bemusingly for them, been serenaded by Julia
Donaldson’s husband. Other family members visiting from out of town have
enjoyed comedians, actors narrating books, and, simply visiting the bustling
onsite bars and restaurants. Not that I’m condoning it, but, you really don’t have to have read a book to enjoy the
Literature Festival. But, of course, you will have done.
(Lydia Monks and Julia Donaldson)
This year I
attended as many events as I could possibly cram in, in between work, children
and life. The theme for 2013 was on the subject of memory and, accordingly,
many of the festival’s events drew upon events from history, not least because
of major upcoming anniversaries including: 100 years since the beginning of WW1,
the 50th anniversary of the assassination of JFK and the 40th
anniversary of the resignation of President Nixon.
I saw the
marvellous Lucy Adlington, of The History Wardrobe, discussing women during WW1
through the medium of costume and historical anecdotes.
(Lucy Adlington on stage)
She was dressed in a
vintage outfit from 1915 and we were treated to some wonderful stories of real
women of the era, complete with fashion, and indeed, uniforms of the time.
(A day dress from 1914)
Later that day I saw Adlington again, this time dressed as Florence
Nightingale, for her talk on the Lady with the Lamp – an equally wonderful event.
If you can get to a History Wardrobe talk by Adlington, do – her energy and
natural humour is infectious.
Later, I
attended a talk on flappers, by Guardian dance critic, Judith Mackrell – she has written
a book on six prolific women from the twenties:
Lady Diana Cooper, Nancy Cunard, Tamara de Lempicka, Tallulah Bankhead, Zelda
Fitzgerald, and Josephine Baker. These women, although at the time perceived by
some as controversial, broke free from Victorian constraints to become
larger-than-life characters that would change the path for women, becoming accepted
and revered as stage actresses, artists and powerful feminists. Inspiring
stuff.
I also listened in on two debates – the first a discussion on JFK by
three prolific historians/professors (their most interesting comments were on
how different the US, and indeed the world, might be if JFK had survived; which
must be the most frustrating idea a historian would try to quantify). The
second, a hilarious, energetic and superb discussion on who is the best hero
from classical antiquity. Tom Holland was rooting for Odysseus, Bettany Hughes
was championing Helen of Troy, and Adrian Goldsworthy was arguing for Aeneas.
My vote? Odysseus (not least for the appealing twinkle in Tom Holland’s eye.
Crush? Moi?).
The event I had most been anticipating was that of the line up of the
Man Booker Prize 2013. Five of the six authors were in attendance and each read
an excerpt from their novels; and then answered questions from the chair and
audience. The buzz at this event was, of course, heightened by the fact that
the winner would be announced a mere three days later. I can now say that I am
delighted to have been able to listen to winner Eleanor Catton’s reading of The
Luminaries, a truly captivating and epic book from such a likeable and
unassuming author. All the shortlisted authors, bar Jhumpa Lahiri, were in
attendance and their readings were mesmerising. By the end, I had a soft spot
for Colm Tóibín – a naturally comedic fellow with a twinkle in his eye (his
comments about the US
Philippa Gregory was also most interesting. Her eloquence and seemingly
bottomless knowledge of England
