26 October 2010

Sopranos shine bright for Literary Festival

The book opens on the second Dundee Literary Festival of 2010 tomorrow (Wednesday October 27th) with one of Scotland’s finest writing talents appearing at the University of Dundee.

Alan Warner, recently longlisted for the Booker Prize, returns to Dundee to read from his striking new novel Stars in the Bright Sky. The book brings to life once again the six 'Sopranos' of Warner’s acclaimed 1998 novel as they gather at Gatwick Airport to improvise a reunion getaway.

Superbly sensitive to the rhythms of everyday speech and crammed with the paraphernalia of contemporary consumer living, this riotous and subtly satirical comedy of youthful (over)exuberance confirms Warner as a brilliant talent.

Warner has previously won critical acclaim for his novels, The Sopranos, Morvern Callar, These Demented Lands, The Man Who Walks and The Worms Can Carry Me To Heaven.

'We are delighted to have Alan Warner opening our second Literary Festival of the year,' said Anna Day, Director of the Literary Festival. 'Alan has been among the most acclaimed Scottish authors of the past fifteen years, thanks to works like Morvern Callar and the much-loved The Sopranos.

'This a great opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with the girls from the Sopranos and hear Alan’s thoughts on writing and his work.'

The opening event of the festival takes place at the Baxter Conference Suite, Tower Building, University of Dundee, from 4 pm to 6 pm on Wednesday. Admission is free.

The Literary Festival is making its debut in a new autumn autumn slot, having previously taken place during the University’s graduation week in June. The earlier festival this year featured appearances from the likes of Nick Cave, Rosamunde Pilcher, and Iain Banks.

This week’s events continue at the University on Thursday when there will be a special celebration of 'Dr Finlay’s Casebook' with readings from David Rintoul, who played Finlay in the hugely successful 1990s TV series, and a discussion with biographer Alan Davies, author of ‘A.J. Cronin, the Man who created Dr Finlay’.

These events will invoke the memory of the quality of writing, characterisation and wry humour of the central figure, Dr Cameron, and take fans back to Arden House.

For a full programme go to www.literarydundee.co.uk or phone 01382 384413.

Scheduled events:

Wednesday, 27 October

Alan Warner (Baxter Suite, Tower Building)
4pm to 6pm
FREE

Thursday, 28 October
Bonar Hall, University of Dundee

Creative Writing
10am to 12Noon
£5

Poem and a Piece - Brian Johnstone
12.30pm to 1.30pm
£5

Dr Finlay's Casebook with David Rintoul
2pm to 3pm
£4/£3

James Robertson - And The Land Stay Still
3.30pm to 4.30pm
£3/£2 (concession)

Norman Watson - Dundee's Poet, The Worst Poet
5pm to 6pm
£3/£2 (concession)

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902