When the stakes are high and reality is shrouded in darkness, how can storytelling help us to carry on? Connecting our present moment to ancient history and folklore, Ferdia Lennon and Clare Pollard discuss how their historical fiction explores themes of belonging, conflict, truth and myth. Joining Ferdia and Clare on stage is James McDermott, writer of Wild Life (shortlisted for the East Anglian Book Awards).
Ferdia Lennon is a graduate of the MA in Prose Fiction programme at University of East Anglia. His debut novel Glorious Exploits is an exhilarating, fiercely original story of brotherhood, war and art, and of daring to dream of something bigger than ourselves. Douglas Stuart, author of Shuggie Bain, called it ‘bold and totally unexpected’.
The Modern Fairies is the second novel from award-winning poet and playwright Clare Pollard, author of Delphi. Brilliant and bawdy, romantic and provocative, it is a dazzling historical novel inspired by real events, about the delights and dangers of storytelling in dark times.
Part of City of Literature weekend 2024
City of Literature is a Norfolk & Norwich Festival and National Centre for Writing presentation, programmed by the National Centre for Writing.
Clare Pollard is an award-winning poet and playwright based in London. She is the author of five poetry collections and the former Editor of the Modern Poetry in Translation magazine. Her first novel, Delphi , was published by Fig Tree in 2022. The Modern Fairies is her second novel.
‘Elegant and decadent, vulgar and clever, enchanting and dark. The love child of Angela Carter and Anaïs Nin – the book I really really needed.’ — Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent.
Ferdia Lennon was born in Dublin to an Irish mother and Libyan father. He holds a BA in History and Classics from University College Dublin and an MA in Prose Fiction from the University of East Anglia. His short stories have appeared in publications such as the Irish Times and the Stinging Fly. In 2019 and 2021, he received a Literature Bursary Award from the Arts Council of Ireland. After spending many years in Paris, he now lives in Norwich with his wife and son.
‘Madly ambitious, cathartic like all great tragedy, but shockingly funny too, Ferdia Lennon’s outstandingly original début is just glorious’ — Emma Donoghue, author of Room
James McDermott’s plays published by Samuel French include Jab (Finborough Theatre; nominated for an Off West End Theatre Award for Best New Play), Time & Tide (Park Theatre/tour; nominated for an Off West End Theatre Award for Best New Play) and Rubber Ring (Pleasance Islington/tour). James’s poetry collections include Wild Life (Nine Arches Press; shortlisted for the East Anglian Book Award) and Manatomy (Burning Eye; longlisted for the Polari First Book Prize). James is one of the writers on EastEnders and has written plays for BBC Radio 4. He is an Arvon writing tutor, teaches playwriting for the National Theatre and lectures in Scriptwriting at the University of East Anglia.
Photos:
Clare Pollard (c) Sophie Davidson
Ferdia Lennon (c) Conor Horgan
