Our second BookTalk event of 2019 will mark the 10th anniversary of British author J. G. Ballard’s death, with an event on his iconic novel High Rise (1975). This event will bring together experts on contemporary literature, science fiction and urban design to discuss some … Continue reading Cardiff BookTalk event: High Rise by J.G. Ballard, Monday 1st April 2019
Cardiff BookTalk follows up its season of science fiction and fantasy by turning to another popular genre: the literary thriller. Join us on the evening of Monday 11th February 2019 as we explore The Golden Orphans, the brand new novel by Cardiff author Gary Raymond.
In an interview with Chris Hall in 2003, J G Ballard expounded on his belief that London needed a freeway system comparable to that in LA among other things. These unpublished excerpts were eventually published in the Architect’s Journal on 29 April 2009, shortly after Ballard’s … Continue reading J G Ballard on what’s wrong with London and relieving boredom with a Kalashikov
I thoroughly enjoyed this second novel – novella, really – by a founder of Wales Arts Review. With shades of The Talented Mr Ripley, it’s a dark, fast-paced literary thriller which centres on the fate of artist Francis Benthem who ostensibly created an enviable new life for himself, painting in Cyprus. But when he’s found dead, his former protégé, visiting the island to attend his funeral, gets himself thoroughly mixed up in its underworld after meeting a mysterious Russian benefactor, and caught up in the mystery of what happened to the Golden Orphans.
This review appeared in ‘Previewer’s Picks’ in The Bookseller Magazine in 2018 and gives an exciting taster of what could be expected in Raymond’s at that point still-anticipated thriller.
Our next event takes place on the 11th February 2019 and will be an exploration of the literary thriller genre. Cardiff author Gary Raymond will be in residence to discuss his new book, The Golden Orphans, alongside speakers Dr. Fiona Peters and Dr. Hannah Hamad.
Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
Gary Raymond’s The Golden Orphans (Parthian, £8.99) starts off in classic Brit abroad mode as a down-on-his-luck artist travels to Cyprus to attend the funeral of his mentor and fellow painter, Frances Bentham. The unnamed narrator takes on his teacher’s old job, working for a … Continue reading Jeff Noon reviews The Golden Orphans
Writing for the Wales Art Review in September 2018, Jim Perrin reviews Gary Raymond’s new novel, The Golden Orphans. Read the review here and whet your appetite in readiness for our next BookTalk event on 11th Feb. 2019!
Cardiff BookTalk is pleased to invite you to our first event for 2019, as we explore the popular genre of the literary thriller. Please join us on the evening of Monday 11th February as we explore The Golden Orphans, the brand new novel by Cardiff author Gary Raymond.
Following on from our popular previous event commemorating the 50th anniversary of Ursula Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea in November 2018, BookTalk volunteer Christie Collins delved into the vast poetic oeuvre Le Guin left behind.
