25 October 2012

Colm Toibin to bring down curtain on Dundee Literary Festival

Multi-award winning author Colm Toibin will bring the 2012 Dundee Literary Festival to a close next week when he reads from and discusses his newly published novel, The Testament of Mary, a visceral reimagining of the life of Christ’s mother.

The Irish novelist, short story writer, essayist, playwright, journalist, critic, and poet will appear at the University of Dundee’s Dalhousie Building at 7pm on Monday, October 29th, the last of the 42 events to take place at this year’s festival.

'The Testament of Mary' reveals Mary as an old woman living in exile and in fear, telling her own story in her own voice, which is both tender and filled with rage.

Toibin said, "I am really looking forward to my visit to Dundee. I have not read there before. I know that the audience there is serious about literature and open to new ideas. This is a new book, and I am nervous about it, and this will be one of my first events."

The novel describes Mary's efforts to tell the truth in all its complexity and she emerges as a figure of immense moral stature while recalling the crucifixion, and of the events that followed as she battled to cope with her overpowering grief. Toibin’s Mary thinks that many of those telling her son's story are self-serving and untrustworthy, including some of Jesus's disciples, and the author says that he sees his book as "a pure act of empathy".

He added, "I was trying to imagine what it would have been like for Mary and in doing that I found myself in a difficult space I didn't want to go into again, ever. Even reading it over was disturbing. She is concerned with the truth of her own suffering, the truth of what she saw."

Toibin had originally been scheduled to appear at the festival two days earlier, but unforeseen events meant the event had to be moved. All tickets sold remain valid, while full refunds will be given to anyone unable to make the re-arranged date.

As well as winning the Costa Novel Prize and numerous other literary awards, Toibin has twice been shortlisted for the Booker Prize. His appearance in Dundee coincides with the publication of his 9th novel, and signed copies will be available on the day.

The 2012 Dundee Literary Festival is the biggest to date, with leading figures from the world of fiction, poetry, journalism, comics and the publishing industry taking part in a series of workshops, talks, book signings, and readings.

For more information about any Literary Festival events, or to buy tickets, please visit www.literarydundee.co.uk Tickets are also available from Literary Dundee, 6th floor, Tower Building, University of Dundee, tel 01382 384413.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277