Top 5 International Authors

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is, as the name suggests, strong on foreign authors published in English. This year, the festival is running several series of events showcasing overseas talent, including ‘Focus on China’, ‘First Fiction’ – featuring debut novelists from around Europe – and a keynote ‘Writers of the World’ strand. Fest selects the best from these:

1) New Kolkata Writing; Friday 15 August, 5pm – ScottishPower Studio Theatre

In response to last year’s demand for the Bengali authors’ event, this year’s festival offers the opportunity to meet cream of Kolkata’s literary talent; featuring Srijato, Rimi B Chatterjee and Alka Saraogi.

2) Xiaolu Guo; Sunday 17 August, 6.45pm – Peppers Theatre

With the eyes of the world on China, an opportunity to hear an author who specialises in depicting the changes being undergone in the nascent superpower is unmissable.

3) Rabih Alameddine; Wednesday 20 August, 6pm – Writers’ Retreat

Billed as “an Arabian nights for the 21st century,” Alameddine’s latest novel The Hakawati is a compelling portrait of the conflict-torn Middle East; exemplary storytelling in the finest Arabian tradition.

4) Jennifer Clement & Amanda Michalopoulou; Monday 18 August, 6pm – Writers’ Retreat

Mexican and Greek fiction; in particular, Michalopoulou’s collection of short stories, I’d Like, promises to further the penetration of modern Hellenic fiction into the English language, following the critical acclaim for Panos Karnezis’ The Maze.

5) Alexander Ahndoril; Sunday 24 August, 6pm – Writers’ Retreat

The Swedish novelist discusses his portrait of legendary film directory Ingmar Bergman, The Director, which has attracted substantial attention in his native country.