The darling books of May
It has always been billed as the world’s only festival of biography and memoir.
And boy is the Boswell Book Festival - now in its EIGHTH year - so well connected it punching above its weight to lure the big names.
The May Bank Holiday weekend, May 4 to 6 , is the date for thousands of book lovers at Dumfries House.
Dame Judi Dench is the page turning star turn this year and she will open the event as well as being the prime target for signings of her book.
Festival director Caroline Knox - with chairman husband James her able assistant - have pulled together a glittering array of literary talent.
Caroline said: “This is the most ambitious programme yet, spilling over with riches and diversity from poets, cartoonists, intrepid reporters and courageous women to obsessive monarchs, war veterans and professional TV watches.
“With speakers and audience rubbing shoulders, I predict creative sparks will fly as the power of the written words is let loose.”
Dame Judi’s talk on Friday May 4 with Citizens Theatre Director Dominic Hill will be recorded and screened at 10am the following day after which she will hold a book signing session.
Saturday is then nonstop action until Andy’s mum Judy Murray is on stage at 8pm featuring her book ‘ Knowing the Score’, the story of her family and tennis.
The festival has a nice “And Finally” touch with BBC Reporting Scotland’s veteran anchor Sally Magnusson talking about her Icelandic pirate adventure from 8pm.
Other highlights are Anthony Horowitz, worldwide bestselling author on his life and the challenges of writing tales of mystery from Midsomer Murders to Sherlock Holmes and on to Bond.
Matthew Parris, presenter of BBC Radio 4’ s Great Lives, renowned commentator and broadcaster, tells us what he thinks makes a ‘ great’ life.
Helen Pankhurst, women’s rights activist and great- granddaughter of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst joins the cast both to mark and reflect on the 100th year since women got the vote.
Alexander McCall Smith, celebrates the 20th year since the publication of his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series that has sold over 20 million copies in English only, and discusses his life and his fascination for W H Auden
Cardinal Vincent Nichols discusses his life and work from his fight against human trafficking and slavery to his passion for sacred music, in conversation with composer Sir James MacMillan.
Maggie O’Farrell Costa Novel Award Winner reveals a whole life in tense snapshots of 17 of her own brushes with death.
Cartoonist Michael Heath speaking at his first UK festival with a career of 60 years in Fleet Street, delighted Ayrshire’s James Boswell, the inventor of modern biography.
“Once again, Dumfries House is the welcoming backdrop to the weekend where I predict creative sparks with fly as the power of the written word is let loose in one of Scotland’s great Enlightenment Houses.
“Turning our attention to future generations of readers and thinkers is always very high on our agenda and as usual our Children’s Festival places great emphasis on leading children to books over two action- packed days.
“There is a talk for all tastes at the Festival as well as free activities and of course the Royal Drawing School sessions.”