Bestselling novelist Robert Harris will join the stellar line-up at this year's Cliveden Literary Festival to discuss his return to ancient Rome with his new book, Agrippa. The author of Fatherland and Precipice will talk about the novel with historian and podcaster Tom Holland.
A Stellar Line-Up at Cliveden
Harris's book follows the Roman general Agrippa, who helped his friend Octavius rise to power as Emperor Augustus. Now 50, sick and betrayed by his wife's infidelity, Agrippa is writing his memoirs from his villa on the Bay of Naples, reflecting on his storied life. The festival takes place at the historic Berkshire stately home from October 10-11.
Other speakers include Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who will talk to historian Simon Sebag Montefiore about her reinvention of the Tories and British politics. US investigative journalist Patrick Radden Keefe will discuss his book London Falling with journalist Misha Glenny.
Crime Writers and Politicians
American crime writer Michael Connelly will also appear to talk about his forthcoming Harry Bosch book, The Hollow. Politicians and commentators slated to appear include Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, Joanne Cash, Ayesha Hazarika, Alex Burghart, Maurice Glasman and Matt Goodwin.
Playwright Patrick Marber, ex-minister Michael Gove, former BBC presenters Mishal Husain and Emily Maitlis, and historian Niall Ferguson will also feature. The festival will host debates on narrative art, Renoir, Nazi Germany, Napoleon's empire, declining birth rates, and gardens.
A Literary Tradition
Last year's event, opened by Queen Camilla, featured Sir Salman Rushdie. Now in its ninth year, the festival draws on Cliveden House's history as a literary salon frequented by writers including Alexander Pope, Tennyson, Shaw, Swift and Churchill.
Run by a committee of writers and historians – Andrew Roberts, Natalie Livingstone, Catherine Ostler and Simon Sebag Montefiore – the festival is a sell-out each year. Priority bookers get early access to tickets, with the public able to book via the Cliveden Literary Festival website.
