The 2013 Cheltenham Literature Festival: A Round-up

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 50^th anniversary of the assassination of JFK and the 40^th 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 being allowed to enter the Man Booker Prize were hilarious). I came home from that event feeling thoroughly inspired and am currently awaiting the shortlist collection from The Book People (my books-to-read pile is threatening to need a house of its own).

Philippa Gregory was also most interesting. Her eloquence and seemingly bottomless knowledge of England’s history was inspiring (I have since purchased two of her White Queen novels).

The festival this year was, in my opinion, the best yet. I don’t know how I shall last until the next one.