Edna O'Brien (2016 Event)

Philip Roth called it Edna O’Brien’s masterpiece; for John Banville it’s savage, tender and true; Claire Messud described it as arduous and beautiful. The Little Red Chairs is the work of a truly great Irish writer at the height of her powers. A decade since she wrote her last novel, O’Brien discusses an astonishing story that charts the consequences of a fatal attraction in this event, recorded live at the 2016 Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Download MP3

Book Festival News

Communities Programme participants celebrate success of 2024 Communities Programme participants celebrate success of 2024
Friday 13 December

Enjoying this event? You can help us produce more like it.

Donate

Share

Listen to more

Iain Mcwhirter (2014 event) Iain Mcwhirter (2014 event) His book Road to Referendum is a clear-minded history of Scotland’s journey towards its historic vote in September, and Iain Macwhirter argues that after the poll, constitutional change is inevitable. If so, where will the negotiations between… Frederick Forsyth with Ian Rankin (2016 Event) Frederick Forsyth with Ian Rankin (2016 Event) It's hardly surprising that Frederick Forsyth has wild stories to tell, given his past as an RAF pilot and investigative journalist, but the thriller writer spins such ripping yarns in his dashing autobiography, The Outsider, that a Sunday Times critic… Alaa Al Aswany (2016 Event) Alaa Al Aswany (2016 Event) In 2002, The Yacoubian Building was an international bestseller, establishing Alaa Al Aswany as one of the Arab world’s most influential voices. Since then, Egypt has changed radically. However, Al Aswany’s novel The Automobile Club of Egypt represents… Margaret Atwood - interview Margaret Atwood - interview In an interview with Tom Rice, the great Canadian writer Margaret Atwood talks about her poetry and fiction following sell-out events at the 2007 Book Festival. Here she describes her ingenious invention the LongPen: technology that allows authors to sign… Michael Rosen - Mustard, Custard, Grumble Belly... Michael Rosen - Mustard, Custard, Grumble Belly... New Children's Laureate and master entertainer Michael Rosen (most famous for We're Going on a Bear Hunt) thrilled Book Festival audiences in 2007 with this fun event for the whole family, full of silly, zany poetry told with infectious enthusiasm… A L Kennedy A L Kennedy The finest contemporary Scottish writing commissioned especially by the festival. We asked four of our most highly acclaimed writers (John Burnside, Janice Galloway, A L Kennedy and Don Paterson) to create new work - poetry and prose - for this 2008 event… David Vann reading Bain de Soleil David Vann reading Bain de Soleil Young award-winning US author David Vann reads his story on the theme of Elsewhere… Germaine Greer Germaine Greer Provocative and opinionated - there's no one quite like Germaine Greer. In this 2007 event she talks about Shakespeare's Wife, her new book on Ann Hathaway, which combines her immense literary knowledge with her views on woman's position in society… David Mitchell (2010 event) David Mitchell (2010 event) The remarkable author of the Booker-winning Cloud Atlas sold out the Book Festival's biggest venue many weeks in advance. Talking to chair Steven Gale, he delighted festival audiences with his warmth and humour, offering a fascinating insight into how… Debate: Rethinking the Union, Part 2 (2012 event) Debate: Rethinking the Union, Part 2 (2012 event) The outspoken former Labour MP and Cabinet Minister Tony Benn, joined Dr Nicola McEwen, Director of Public Policy…