Should we rake through painful experiences, and try to learn from them, or are they best forgotten? Why is the truth so often buried in secrets? And how much should we keep from the people we love? These are some of the questions posed by Andrew O'Hagan's fifth novel, The Illuminations, a story of love, memory and war. In collaboration with Faber Social, we present an evening of readings, music and performance. Andrew O'Hagan shares the stage with novelist, poet and playwright Edna O'Brien, whom Philip Roth has described as 'the most gifted woman now writing in English'; and performance poet Kate Tempest, winner of the Ted Hughes Award, and shortlisted for the 2014 Mercury Music Prize. With music from James Yorkston.

Contains strong language.

Reflections On War With Edna O'Brien, Andrew O'Hagan And Kate Tempest [Part 1]

Founded in 1820, the RSL acts as a voice for the value of literature, honouring and supporting emerging and established writers whilst creating a bridge between authors and audiences of all backgrounds and experiences to engage as many people as possible with the wealth of literature in the UK.

Reflections On War With Edna O'Brien, Andrew O'Hagan And Kate Tempest [Part 1]

Royal Society Literature