Booker Prize-winner, Ben Okri, will be reading extracts from his work and talking about his life as a writer at Bath Central Library on Wednesday 5th September.
Okri, a highly acclaimed novelist, short-story writer and poet, is often described as one of Africa’s greatest writers. His best-known work, The Famished Road, was awarded the Booker Prize in 1991. Set in a Nigerian village, this is the first in a trilogy of novels, which tell the story of Azaro, a spirit child. Azaro’s narrative is continued in Songs of Enchantment (1993) and Infinite Riches (1998). In Tales of Freedom (2009), Okri brings together poetry and story.
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is delighted to welcome such a prestigious international author to our library.
“This is one of a number of evening events we are holding at local libraries as we want more people to benefit from them outside normal opening times.”
The event, which takes places from 8pm to 9pm, costs £4 in advance (with 75p booking fee) from www.benokri.eventbrite.com, or £6 on the door, cash only. Alternatively to register for an advance ticket at £4, telephone Council Connect on 01225 394041, by noon Wed Sept 5, and you will be given a unique customer number to quote on the evening.
Okri will also be signing books available for purchase after the event. He has also won the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Africa and the Aga Khan Prize for Fiction. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
It is a Yardstick event with support from Bath Central Library.
