An evening with Melissa Harrison, The Given World

Chapter 34 Presents a special launch evening with Melissa Harrison as we celebrate the publication of her beautiful new novel, The Given World. Described as “luminous and intimate”, the novel is a rich, atmospheric story of belonging, loss, and the deep interconnections between people, history and place. Set in the ancient Welm Valley, it is a haunting and deeply felt portrait of a community on the cusp of change.

This will be an intimate evening in conversation, with Melissa interviewed about the novel, her writing, and the ideas behind The Given World, followed by an audience Q&A.

Copies of the book will be available to buy on the night, with an opportunity to have them signed after the event. There will also be a bar open during the evening, with refreshments available to purchase.

‘A novel that reminds us with every luminous sentence about the fragile grace of ordinary lives. I can’t think of a writer better at evoking the English countryside in all of its strange beauty.’
Evie Wyld

‘A brilliantly acute social portrait of English rural life now. The best piece of serious fiction I’ve read this year. Extraordinary.’
Francis Spufford

‘I loved the way The Given World is at once warm and clever, meticulously attentive to place, plants and animals while insisting on human grace. Melissa Harrison’s prose is strong and lovely as ever.’
Sarah Moss