Chiswick Book Festival

The Chiswick Book Festival is a vibrant celebration of literature, connecting readers with renowned authors across various genres, including history, poetry, and fiction. This community-focused festival fosters a love for reading and literature among participants of all ages.

This year, the sixteenth Chiswick Book Festival will take place from 11 to 18 September 2024 at multiple venues, including The Theatre at the Tabard.

Events at The Tabard

On Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September, The Tabard will host:

Saturday 14th September

11am-12pm - Allotment Gardening. Sarah Rigby, JC Niala, and Rosie Fyles

The joys of owning and caring for an allotment are extolled by 13 writers in Sarah Rigby’s book This Allotment. She joins allotment historian JC Niala in conversation with Chiswick House Head of Gardens Rosie Fyles about the heart-warming satisfaction found in these miniature kingdoms.

12:30pm-1:30pm - Retelling the Classics. Jennifer Saint & Daisy Dunn, chaired by Julia Wheeler

Jennifer Saint’s books, including her latest Atalanta, retell the stories of strong mythological female figures. Classicist Daisy Dunn joins her to discuss the influence of real-life heroines as outlined in her book A New History of the Ancient World Through the Women who Shaped It, chaired by Julia Wheeler.

2pm-3pm - Dispatches from a Life in Rock and Roll. Allan Edwards and Fee Mak

Known as the Godfather of British music PR, Alan Edwards has worked with iconic music stars such as David Bowie and The Spice Girls. He shares tales from his career in his book I Was There during a conversation with radio and TV presenter Fee Mak.

Sunday 15th September

11am-12pm - 165 Days: A Hostage of the Taliban. Asad Qureshi and Kavita Puri

Documentary filmmaker Asad Qureshi recounts his harrowing 165 days in captivity, as related in his book 165 Days: Prisoner of the Taliban, in conversation with journalist Kavita Puri.

12:30pm-1:30pm - Hold Back the Night. Jessica Moor and Emma Curtis

Novelist Jessica Moor discusses her moving novel Hold Back the Night with author Emma Curtis, which addresses the horrors of conversion therapy in the 1950s and the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.

2pm-3pm - A Whisper of Cardamon. Eleanor Ford and Jo Pratt

Eleanor Ford shares her love for spices with cook and presenter Jo Pratt, discussing the culture and symbolism behind these ingredients.

3:30pm-4:30pm - Krystle Zara Appiah in Conversation with Fee Mak

A marriage in crisis and ambivalence around motherhood shape the compelling debut novel Rootless by Krystle Zara Appiah, who speaks with presenter Fee Mak.

5:30pm-6:30pm - The Whole Nine Yarns. Owen O’Neill

Join comedian and poet Owen O’Neill for a blend of comedy storytelling and poetry that mixes the harrowing and the hilarious.

Practical info

Tickets are £10 and can be purchased from the Chiswick Book Festival Website.

Seating is unreserved, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note that these events cannot be booked via The Tabard Theatre's website or box office. For all bookings and queries, contact the Chiswick Book Festival directly.