Date/Time: Thursday 9 March, 7pm to 8pm

Venue: Culture Lab, Newcastle University

When several children from the same village start succumbing to a mysterious illness, the quest to discover the cause has devastating and extraordinary consequences. Bursting with Carson’s trademark wit, profound empathy and soaring imagination, The Raptures (Doubleday, 2022) explores how tragedy can unite a small community - and tear it apart. At its heart is the extraordinary resilience of one young girl. As the world crumbles around her, she must find the courage to be different in a place where conforming feels like the only option available.

‘An original and exciting work that’s equal parts terrifying, hilarious and memorable.’ Sunday Times

Jan Carson is a writer and community arts facilitator based in Belfast. She specialises in engagement with older people. She has published three novels, two micro-fiction collections, and two short story collections. The Raptures was shortlisted for both the An Post Irish Novel of the Year and Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Awards. Her novel The Fire Starters won the EU Prize for Literature for Ireland 2019.

Sinéad Morrissey is Professor of Creative Writing at Newcastle University.

Free event, and all very welcome. Book your place HERE