Oundle Festival of Literature - here's all you need to know

The festival hosts literary events throughout the year, showcasing a diverse range of speakers from within the literary arts; from big name authors, to academics, early career and local authors, with speakers from across the fiction and non-fiction spectrum.

Events to look forward to are:

Classics & Cake - Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Fletton House, February 17 (2pm) Charlie Swailes explores themes of obsession and paranoia in Daphne du Maurier’s Gothic thriller, in this already sold out date.

Paul Morley - Far Above the World: The Time & Space of David Bowie Prince William School, February 27 (7.30pm) Join the renowned music biographer and journalist in conversation about his latest book - 'Far Above the World: The Time and Space of David Bowie' - a landmark exploration of David Bowie as an everlasting cultural force and changemaker. In the ten years since the death of David Bowie in 2016 there has been no loss of interest in and fascination with his life, music and driven, complex personality. He is definitely one musician, one performer, destined not to be forgotten. The significant grief and sadness that greeted Bowie's death has evolved into a deeper, enduring love for his music, style, wit, artistic curiosity, sexual energy, flamboyant outsider spirit and insatiable, provocative appetite for life. Far Above the World documents one of the UK's greatest creative artists, through the spectacularly colourful and vibrant journey of a man who constantly reinvented himself and his music. Bowie lived in the future, using the pop song to chronicle overwhelming and dangerous times, searching for the light, and creating a communication channel between post-war 20th century times and where(ever) we are now. The evening will feature an interview with Paul by Festival Curator, Karen Rust, an audience Q&A and a book signing afterwards.

In Conversation with Kit de Waal - The Best of Everything Prince William School, March 20 (7.30pm)

The Birmingham born author will be speaking about the release of her sixth book, 'The Best of Everything'.

Kit made her name with her 2016 debut, 'My Name Is Leon', which established her as a writer full of heart. It was made into a film by Sir Lenny Henry's production company after he was so moved by the characters and story whilst narrating the audiobook.

The event will feature a session in conversation with Kit, an audience Q&A, and a book signing.

White Road - Harry Whitehead on 'How to Blow up an Oil Rig.' Fletton House, April 17 (7.30pm)

Harry Whitehead joins us on the release of his second novel, 'White Road, a gripping eco-thriller set in the brutal Canadian arctic. A true page turner with a formidable hero in the form of rescue swimmer Carrie Essler and a moral question at its core as fossil fuel predators close in on the melting Arctic pole.

Harry's research for the novel took him deep into polar adventurer territory, as well as finding out 'How to Blow up an Oil Rig' - leaving him yet another writer with a weird and wonderful internet search history!

He'll share these research gems with us in an entertaining talk about all things 'White Road'.

An evening with Patrick Gale - 'Love Lane' Queen Victoria Hall, May 8 (7.30pm)

Patrick's 18th novel is a searing portrayal of escape and entrapment, and a powerful exploration of what home and family can really be. When veteran Canadian wheat farmer, Harry Cane is obliged to sell up and sail home to an England transformed by two world wars, his arrival triggers unwelcome self-examination for the family he abandoned, and for whom he has never been more than a distant myth.

Patrick has also written two short story collections and a novella, as well as the Emmy award-winning BBC drama, 'Man in an Orange Shirt'.

Jonathan Wilson - The Power & the Glory: A New History of the World Cup Prince William School, May 15 (7.30pm)

The story of the World Cup is also the story of the world; this book tells its definitive history. Enjoy a thrilling evening of World Cup history ahead of the World Cup 2026 as Jonathan talks through his definitive history of the competition, exploring the tournament's socio-political impact across the globe as well as the goals and scandals that keep us all gripped

Jonathan Wilson is the editor of the 'Blizzard' and a freelance writer for the 'Guardian', 'World Soccer' and 'Sports Illustrated'. He is the author of eleven books.

Classics & Cake - 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte Fletton House, June 13 (2pm)

Dr Diana Hallam examines the destructive passion between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff that lies at the core of 'Wuthering Heights'. Bronte's brooding Gothic novel weaves themes of love and obsession, jealousy and revenge, social class conflicts, and the supernatural, set against the evocative backdrop of the wild and rugged Yorkshire moors.

Dr Diana Hallam is an Oxford graduate and experienced English teacher and lecturer, with the skill to draw out interesting themes and new viewpoints from well-loved texts.

THE MAD & THE BRAVE - The Untold Story of Ukraine's Foreign Legion Queen Victoria Hall, July 3 (7.30pm)

Foreign correspondent and author, Colin Freeman spent the last three years covering the conflict in Ukraine. He was present during the siege of Kyiv, and narrowly escaped being killed during a missile strike in eastern Ukraine in 2023. His latest book, tells the story of the British and American military volunteers serving with Ukraine's International Legion. Three days after Russian tanks roll into Ukraine, President Volodymr Zelensky issues a desperate appeal for foreign military volunteers to help defend his country. Thousands answer the call from all over the world: some of them experienced soldiers, others novices who’ve never held a gun before.

Among their ranks are high-minded idealists, adventure-seekers bored with civilian life, and ex-criminals seeking redemption – all risking their lives against the world's most vicious superpower. Some flee at the first sign of trouble, others become heroes; many are killed, and a few turn their guns on each other.

This is their story – often terrifying, often tragic, sometimes comic, and sometimes glorious…

Tickets for all events can be purchased from The Oundle Bookshop