Award winning author Marlon James is visiting the Bristol Beacon at the invitation of Gloucester Road Bookshop on Wednesday 23rd September. In a press release, the bookshop reveal all:
"We are delighted to announce that we will be hosting Booker Prize winner and one of the 21st century’s most acclaimed novelists, Marlon James, in September!
Marlon is coming to Bristol to introduce, discuss and read from his hugely-anticipated new novel, The Disappearers, in what is one of only four UK events the US-based author is undertaking for the book. He will be in conversation with the celebrated author, poet and performer, Vanessa Kisuule.
The novel marks a return to the territory of Marlon's brilliant Booker winning, A Brief History of Seven Killings; the publication that fully established him as an international literary star.
Set in late 1980s Kingston Jamaica, The Disappearers is an uncompromising, acutely thought-provoking portrait of queer life in an often brutally unaccepting society. Seven gay actors confront bigotry and hate following a deadly attack at a rehearsal. Epic in its scale and awash with an unbreakable humanity, the novel confirms Marlon James’ place at the forefront of modern fiction.
This is an unmissable opportunity to hear from one of the great writers of our time. And we cannot wait!
---
'Epic in every sense of that word’ New York Times on A Brief History of Seven Killings, selected in NYT's 100 Best Books of the 21st Century
‘The way James uses language is amazing . . . Vigorous, intricate and captivating, [it] is hard to put down’
Ebony on A Brief History of Seven Killings
'Showcases the extraordinary capabilities of a writer whose importance can scarcely be questioned' Independent
‘This seething, hot, violent, action-packed novel is enormous in every sense. The ambition is huge, but [James] pulls it off with huge style, confidence, imagination and wit . . . Extraordinary’
The Times on A Brief History of Seven Killings
---
Marlon James is the author of the New York Times bestselling Moon Witch, Spider King; the Sunday Times bestselling, National Book Award-finalist Black Leopard, Red Wolf; the Booker Prize-winning A Brief History of Seven Killings; The Book of Night Women and John Crow's Devil. In addition to the Booker Prize, his novels have won the American Book Award, the Los Angeles Times Ray Bradbury Prize for Science Fiction, the Anisfield-Wolf Award and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. Born in Jamaica, Marlon James now lives in New York City.
Vanessa Kisuule is a writer, performer and facilitator based in Bristol. She has won over ten poetry slam titles and performed nationally and internationally. She has worked with the BBC, the British Library, the Tate, Royal Academy of Arts, Bristol Old Vic, CILIP and Glastonbury Festival. She was the Bristol City Poet for 2018 - 2020 and her poem on the toppling of Edward Colston's statue, Hollow, garnered over 700,000 views and is frequently used as a resource in schools and universities. She wrote and presented ‘The Poetry Detective’ for Radio 4 and has had two poetry collections published. Her poetry has been anthologised widely, including in the Forward Poetry Prize Anthology 2019. Her debut non fiction book, Neverland, was published in 2024.
For further information, and advance tickets:
https://bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/marlon-james/?promo=MJ2309
