Lost is the New Found: Canongate at Jura Unbound

Preview | 03 Jul 2014

Canongate Books are one of Scotland’s longest established and most exciting publishers. They achieve that rare literary alchemy of classy credibility and cult cool. From publishing Alasdair Gray’s momentous Lanark back in the 80s, to launching the global phenomenon that became Life of Pi, to becoming the UK publisher of a little known politician who then became the President of the USA, they have always known how to pick a winner. In tandem with some damn fine Scottish writing, they continue to publish the most exciting international voices: Niccolo Ammaniti, Ron Rash and Tahmima Anam to name just a few favourites. And in celebrating their 40th anniversary last year, they continued to push the envelope (all puns intended!) with their hugely successful Letters Live events (check the Book Festival programme on 9 August to find out more).

For Jura Unbound, Canongate explores what it means to be Lost and Found. Whether that is through the hedonistic excess of drink and drugs, the trauma of illness or through the sheer pleasure of reading literature. Hosted by author and comedian Viv Groskop, the night will feature readings, performance and music from the likes of Emma Jane Unsworth, whose new novel Animals is an unflinching insight into being young and female; poet and performer Byron Vincent, whose work explores mental illness, and Ella Berthoud, co-author of The Novel Cure, who offers an A-Z of literary remedies.

Join them and more for a night exploring the lines of our limits, how and why we lose control of consciousness and what stories we find on the other side when we lose ourselves.

Canongate Night, 9pm, Mon 11 Aug, free