Friday 9 July 2010

Ian Rankin and Bret Easton Ellis at Galway Arts Festival

Galway Arts FestivalThe volcanic ash cloud interfered with author Ian Rankin’s plans to attend this year’s Cúirt Festival of Literature in Galway. Inspector Rebus fans are hoping for better luck this time when Rankin is scheduled to appear at the Galway Arts Festival on July 20th. The UK’s bestselling crime writer will read from his work and discuss the presence of music in his writing with musician and broadcaster Philip King. A frustrated rock star himself, Ian Rankin includes a great deal of music in the Inspector Rebus novels. Leonard Cohen, the Rolling Stones and many other bands and musicians make appearances in the books which are set in Edinburgh where Rankin lives.

Bret Easton Ellis, author of the cult novel American Psycho will give a reading in Galway on July 19th. Ellis was born in Los Angeles and his first novel, Less Than Zero, told the tale of disaffected Los Angeles teenagers. His latest novel, Imperial Bedrooms, is the sequel to his debut novel. Set 25 years later, it revisits the characters from Less Than Zero as they face an even greater period of disaffection as they hurtle towards middle age. Ellis warns that this book may make fans of Less than Zero feel betrayed.

The Galway Arts Festival runs from July 12th until 25th. This is the 33rd year of the festival which, as usual, will feature an internationally acclaimed line-up of music, dance, theatre, comedy, street events and art. The theme for this year’s renowned Macnas parade which takes place on July 18th is ‘The Wild Hunt’. For further details see http://www.galwayartsfestival.com/

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