Rushdie, Barry and other writers interviewed at Readers' Day

Tickets for Dublin City Public Libraries' annual Readers' Day on 11 October 2008 were sold out weeks in advance this year. The day began and ended with interviews with distinguished writers, conducted by Mary Shine Thompson, Dean of Research and Humanities in St Patrick's College.

First was Salman Rushdie, winner of the 1991 Booker, Booker of all Bookers, best novel to have won the Booker for Midnight's Children.

Salman Rushdie responded warmly to questions about his many novels, the relationship between east and west, the influence of history on defining personal destiny, and his affinity to Irish writers.

Sebastian Barry, shortlisted for the 2008 Man Booker Award for his novel The Secret Scripture closed the day by performing an extract from his most recent novel, and talked about how he tries to rescue his characters from 'the cold hand of history'.

Mary Shine Thompson also chaired a session in which David Guterson, author of the million-selling Snow Falling on Cedars, read from his latest novel, The Other, and responded to readers' questions.

As MC for the day, she introduced a discussion on literary awards, and a discussion with Rebecca Miller and Anita Notaro on their work, conducted by Alison Walsh.

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: Tuesday October 14 2008