Dorset readers will be able to claim a free copy of the Pulitzer Prize nominated novel Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson, as part of event for the From Page to Screen Festival.
Seventy copies of the book, along with reading notes, will be available from Bridport Arts Centre from Friday March 4th and festival organisers are hoping that book groups and individuals will come forward to join in the Big Read.
Committee member Katherine Locke said “We are delighted to have the acclaimed director Bill Forsyth (Gregory’s Girl) coming to the festival to talk about his adaptation of Housekeeping. We would like as many people as possible to have read the original.” The book will be given away with free Reading Notes as a starting point for discussions.
The Guardian Unlimited named Housekeeping one of the 100 greatest novels of all time. Time magazine also included the novel in its TIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005.
There will also be the opportunity for everyone who has received a free copy to come together for an informal book group discussion about the novel on Wednesday 6th April at Bridport Arts Centre starting at 7.30pm. Light refreshment will be provided.
The screening of the film of the book, will take place on Thursday 14th April at the Electric Palace and will be followed by Bill Forsyth in conversation with Jonathan Coe. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions from the floor.
The free books have been funded by South West Literature Development Agency, Cyprus Well, and will be available for collection from Bridport Arts Centre from Friday 4th March. We would ask that book groups limit the numbers of free books to five per group, in order to have as many book groups joining in as possible.
Katherine Locke said, “This is a great opportunity for readers to come together. It is a truly wonderful book and it will be fascinating to see the film and to hear Bill Forsyth talking about the process of adaptation.”
