Things I don't want to know ... this Sunday
Looking forward to seeing you for our first walk of the autumn
Dear walking book clubbers,
I’m excited to start the season off with this stunning volume of “living autobiography”, which has been an important book for me, throwing light on motherhood, womanhood, writing, and exploring a wealth of ideas. It is very slim, so you definitely still have time to read it before Sunday, if you’ve not yet done so. You can buy it via Daunt and get 10% off by using the code WBC online (here) or in the shop, just tell them you’re in the group.
Scroll down for more on Deborah Levy.
Book your tickets:
For the Heath:
Sunday 5th September, 11.30-1pm, setting off from Daunt Books Hampstead, 51 South End Road, NW3 2QB:
For Zoom:
Wendesday 8th September, 8-8.30pm:
N.B. This is now on Wednesday not Monday due to a clash with Rosh Hashanah
More on Deborah Levy
I’m sure many of you have read Levy’s prize-winning novels. I loved them, especially Hot Milk and Swimming Home. I also really recommend her short stories, collected in Black Vodka. Perhaps you’ve read some of her earlier work too? She wrote a great deal for the theatre, and I’d be interested to know if any of you have come across it. This is the first of three volumes of her memoir. I will admit to being a little luke-warm about the second, The Cost of Living, but I absolutely loved the third, Real Estate. Are you going to read on? Let me know what you make of them!
Here is my review of Things I Don’t Want to Know for the Spectator, when it was first published nearly a decade ago.
Jacques Testard, of Fitzcarraldo Editions, did this great interview with Deborah Levy for The White Review (which he also founded).
Here is Deborah Levy talking about dreams for the Singapore Writers Festival:
And you can listen to her talking about her living memoir for the LRB bookshop podcast, here. The focus is on the most recent volume, Real Estate, but she also draws on the earlier ones, especially that powerful image of crying on escalators from this first volume.
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October
Tickets for our October meetings are now on sale.
In celebration of Black History month, I’ve picked this fascinating and very moving book from the poet Lemn Sissay. It’s about his childhood in care, as well as being a thoughtful exploration of Britishness, race, family and a celebration of creativity.
You can book your place, and buy the book using the links below. See you there!
For the Heath:
Sunday 10th October, 11.30-1pm, setting off from Daunt Books Hampstead, 51 South End Road, NW3 2QB:
On Zoom:
Monday 11th October, 8-8.30pm
Buy My Name is Why from Daunt Books here and receive 10% off using the code WBC at checkout, or just tell them you’re in the group if you’re buying it in the shop.
Looking forward to seeing you soon,
Emily