IRAH MARCHES ON
In what promises to be an outstanding month, International Readings at Harbourfront (IRAH) is thrilled to welcome one of the bestselling authors of our time: Jeffrey Archer. In his only public reading event in Canada, Archer presents his new novel, A Prisoner of Birth, and is interviewed by the CBC's Carol Off. Also this month, IRAH is proud to showcase a number of writers making their authorial debut – Beverley Stone, Alan Drew and Nicolas Dickner – and three novels in English translation: Québecer Dickner’s debut, a new novel by Angolan Ondjaki, and a remarkable new story by the Chilean author of The Postman, Antonio Skármeta.
For details about IRAH events with these and other superlative authors to help you steal a march on those winter blues: read on >>>
International Readings: March 2008
Readings begin at 7:30 pm
Brigantine Room, Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Tickets $8 | FREE for members and students with valid ID
(unless otherwise noted)
Box Office + Info | 416.973.4000 | readings.org
 Wednesday March 5
Nicolas Dickner, Nikolski
Maureen Jennings, The K Handshape
Beverley Stone, No Beautiful Shore
Québec author Nicolas Dickner reads from his debut novel, Nikolski – a bestseller when it was published in French. It is the story of three young people who set out from their far-flung birthplaces in search of something new, and whose paths are destined to cross in Montréal.
Maureen Jennings (Canada/U.K.), author of the Murdoch Mysteries, reads from her second murder mystery featuring forensic profiler Christine Morris. The K Handshape is a tense and gripping tale of the murder of a young deaf woman who was a militant supporter of the Deaf Culture. Morris tries to get to the bottom of this apparently politically motivated killing.
Newfoundlander Beverley Stone reads from her debut novel, No Beautiful Shore. Reminiscent of Miriam Toews' A Complicated Kindness, No Beautiful Shore is a coming-of-age story about growing up in rural Canada, and a timely exploration of the younger generation's desire to leave that Canada behind in favour of the big city.
Host James Grainger (Canada) is a books columnist for the Toronto Star and the author of the short story collection The Long Slide.
 Wednesday March 12
Alan Drew, Gardens of Water
Ondjaki, Good Morning Comrades
Antonio Skármeta, The Dancer and the Thief
Alan Drew (U.S.A.) presents his stunning first novel, Gardens of Water. A headstrong young Kurdish girl in a small town near Istanbul conducts a secret relationship with the son of her family's American neighbours. Her father is furious when he discovers her secret, but when a massive earthquake hits, the family's priorities change.
Ondjaki (Angola) is the author of three novels and three short story collections as well as two collections of poems and a book for children. He reads from Good Morning Comrades, the story of a group of friends who, in a revolutionary socialist country fighting a bitter war, try to create a perfect childhood.
Antonio Skármeta (Chile) attained international recognition with The Postman, which inspired the Academy Award-winning film Il Postino. He reads from The Dancer and the Thief, a story of politics, ballet, and a spectacular heist by a reluctant master thief and his eager young protegé.
Host Jay MillAr’s (Canada) most recent collection of poetry is the small blue.
Lakeside Terrace
235 Queens Quay West
 Thursday March 20
Jeffrey Archer, A Prisoner of Birth
Master storyteller Jeffrey Archer (U.K.) is the author of 14 novels, five collections of short stories, three plays, three children's books, and two screenplays. He has international sales in excess of 135 million copies. In A Prisoner of Birth, touted as Archer's best novel since Kane and Abel, East-end mechanic Danny Cartwright is arrested and charged with the murder of his best friend. He says he didn't do it, but when the four prosecution witnesses are a barrister, a popular actor, an aristocrat, and the youngest partner in an established law firm's history, who is going to believe Danny's side of the story?
Even the most ardent Archer fans should prepare to be truly shocked by the denouement to this eagerly awaited new thriller.
Jeffrey Archer reads from A Prisoner of Birth and is interviewed by the CBC's Carol Off, co-host of CBC Radio's As It Happens and author of several books including Bitter Chocolate: Investigating the Dark Side of the World's Most Seductive Sweet.
Premiere Dance Theatre
3rd Floor, 207 Queens Quay West
 Wednesday March 26
Joseph Kertes, Gratitude
Daphne Marlatt, The Given
Manil Suri, The Age of Shiva
Award-winning author of books for adults and children Joseph Kertes (Canada/Hungary) presents his new novel, Gratitude, a powerful portrait of the Jewish-Hungarian Holocaust experience at the end of World War II.
Daphne Marlatt (Canada) presents The Given, a haunting and multi-layered long poem. Set in present-day and 1950s Vancouver, The Given begins with the news of a mother's death, and deftly interweaves scenes of past and present to reveal the traces we leave on the lives of others.
Manil Suri's (India) first novel, The Death of Vishnu, was received with international critical acclaim. Suri reads from his greatly anticipated new novel, The Age of Shiva, at once a powerful story of a country in turmoil and an extraordinary portrait of the devastating conflicts of a woman's heart.
Host Antanas Sileika (Canada) is a freelance broadcaster and journalist, and Artistic Director at the Humber School for Writers.
IRAH Info
For more information, visit readings.org
Questions? Comments?
E-mail us at readings@harbourfrontcentre.com
Media inquiries?
Contact Becky Toyne or Lindsay Gulin at irahmedia@harbourfrontcentre.com
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