8:00 pm

We love speculative fiction: books exploring prospective future worlds in realistic styles have enduring popularity in bestseller lists and critics’ hearts. But why are we so drawn to it? What does speculative fiction help us come to terms with? What can it tell us about ourselves – and do we really want to know? Join Sophie Mackintosh as she suggests answers to these questions, complete with a reading of her Booker-longlisted novel The Water Cure.

Sophie Mackintosh is an award-winning author of award-winning short stories; her work can be found in The White Review, Five Dials, Granta and elsewhere. Her first novel, The Water Cure (2018), has found huge success both commercially and critically. Shortly after her nomination for Gladstone’s Library’s Writer in Residence programme The Water Cure was longlisted for the Booker Prize. Sophie was born in Wales and is currently based in London.

Tickets are priced at £15 or £25.95 with dinner (a copy of The Water Cure included). Book online, call Reception on 01244 532350 or email [email protected].

Please note that tickets for this event are e-tickets. Book online and have your tickets emailed directly to you – then save the environment by bringing along your e-ticket on your phone or tablet and have it scanned as you enter the event. If you would prefer to print your ticket, black and white is fine.

A print and collect service is available to those without access to email facilities for a small charge to cover our admin costs. Call 01244 532350 or email [email protected] for more information. Printed tickets will be available to collect from Reception before the event.

Your book will be available to collect from Reception at or before the event.