2025 Festival Event

6:00 pm
book now

Abi Daré

And So I Roar

Acclaimed novelist Abi Daré discusses And So I Roar with Radio 4 presenter Harriett Gilbert. Abi talks about continuing the story of the courageous Adunni, first introduced in The Girl with the Louding Voice (2020). The new novel starts as the young runaway Adunni is about to begin a new life, when a horrible knocking at the gate sets in motion a harrowing ordeal involving desperate choices. The Girl with the Louding Voice was a remarkable international bestseller with readers worldwide, including Malala Yousafzai, Dolly Parton and Maggie O’Farrell, falling in love with the spirited Adunni.

This event is in honour and in memory of Judy Elliott.

Harriett Gilbert

Harriett Gilbert is a broadcaster and writer and is the presenter of A Good Read on BBC Radio 4.

Tickets cost £12 / £18 / £20 depending on the event.
There is a 25% saving on all festival books pre-ordered with event tickets.

Other events on the same day

10:00 am

Hayley Mills -

The Michael Billington Interview

Hayley Mills discusses Hollywood and childhood stardom in conversation with theatre critic Michael Billington.

10:00 am

Bernard O’Keeffe -

Every Trick in the Book

Life hopefully doesn’t mimic art as local author Bernard O’Keeffe talks about his latest DI Garibaldi novel, in which a crime writer is found dead in Barnes Pond hours after giving a talk at the Barnes Book Festival.

7:21 am

Gyles Brandreth and Leigh Lawson -

The 7 Secrets of Happiness

Podcaster, broadcaster, writer and performer Gyles Brandreth meets his friend, the actor and poet Leigh Lawson, to celebrate the power of poetry and the importance of positivity.

7:21 am

Henry Hemming -

Four Shots In The Night

Henry Hemming discusses the tangled networks of British intelligence and the IRA and the truth behind the ruthless murder of Frank Hegarty, a British agent during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

2:00 pm

Chris Blackhurst -

The World’s Biggest Cash Machine

Award-winning City editor Chris Blackhurst discusses finance, football and Manchester United, and how the Premier League is turning into a playground for billionaire owners.

2:00 pm

Annie Garthwaite -

The King’s Mother

Annie Garthwaite discusses Cecily Neville - mother of Edward IV and Richard III - the Wars of the Roses and the four women who shaped the progress and outcome of these most savage wars.

4:00 pm

Chris Patten -

The Hong Kong Diaries

Lord Patten’s account of his time as the last Governor of Hong Kong gives unprecedented insights into negotiating with the Chinese, he discusses what has happened since the 1997 handover.

4:00 pm

Vernon Bogdanor -

Making the Weather

Political historian Sir Vernon Bogdanor considers six post-war politicians who each had an extraordinary impact on our country, despite never becoming prime minister.

6:00 pm

Sue Prideaux -

Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin

The highly acclaimed biographer Sue Prideaux discusses her latest book – a vital re-examination of the trail blazing and controversial artist, Paul Gauguin.

8:00 pm

Joanne Harris -

Vianne

Possibly England’s greatest batsman, the former captain of the England cricket team talks with sports presenter Eleanor Olyroyd about all things cricket and beyond.

2025 Festival Schedule

SUN – 21 SEPT 2025

4pm

6pm

10.00am

11.30am

12n

2pm

4pm

6pm

12n

2pm

4pm

6pm

ST MARY’S BARNES

MICHAEL HESELTINE

A printed festival programme is available at the Barnes Bookshop, 98 Church Road.