ACCLAIMED novelist Diana Evans to make appearance at Penarth Literary Festival today, Tuesday.

Her fourth novel, A House for Alice, sheds light on the Grenfell tragedy that has haunted North Kensington for the last seven years.

The author has received several nominations for her previous novel Ordinary People, which was shortlisted for the 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction and won the 2019 South Bank Sky Arts Award for Literature.

A House for Alice has been characterised as the “first memorialisation of Grenfell in fiction” and is set on the backdrop of a country in crisis.

The book captures the shock and horror of the 72 lives lost on the tragic night of June 14, 2017, focusing on a family in the wake of the father’s death, who was once a tyrant to his wife, Alice, and their three daughters.

Several acclaimed novelists have come together for the Penarth Literary Festival over the span of 12 days, running until June 25, making it an event for all age groups and interests.

This includes writer and broadcaster Natalie Haynes, who celebrates the publication of her novel on Medusa, Stone Blind, and Victoria Hislop, author of Britain’s number one best-seller in 2005, The Island.

Coincidentally, the book event falls on the day of global pop star Harry Styles’ day one of two huge Cardiff gigs, which has seen fans braving the rain and camping out despite a yellow weather warning in place. Ms Evans jokingly put out a Twitter post asking people to make a ‘tough’ choice between the two.

But for those in and around Penarth, the festival may remain the top choice, with attendees getting to choose from a packed program of author events, workshops and a cohort of discussions to be part of.

It also features prominent Welsh authors including Mike Parker, Jon Gower, and Lizzie Huxley-Jones.

Penarth Literary Festival is organised by Griffin Books, who won the Independent Bookshop of the Year award at The British Book Awards 2023.

The owner of Griffin Books, Mel Griffin, expressed excitement at the diverse list of performers for the festival. She said: “We’re incredibly happy with this year’s line-up, and can’t wait to share all these brilliant author events with the people of Penarth and beyond.”

When are where is Diana Evans appearing at Penarth Literary Festival?

  • Date: Tuesday, June 23;
  • Time: 7.30pm;
  • Venue: Penarth Pier Pavilion, Penarth, CF64 3AU.

You can book tickets event here.

For more information on Penarth Literary Festival, click here.