Big Read in Knaresborough

23 May 2013

Casino Royale shakes and stirs the North of England in Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival’s Big Read in partnership with Vintage Classics

Readers in Knaresborough and across the North are being invited to take a bet on one of the most iconic crime novels of all time – Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale.

 

Ian Fleming at Table Reproduced with Permission from Ian Fleming Publications Ltd

 

The Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival has launched its annual Big Read. In partnership with Vintage Classics and libraries and reading groups in the North of England, the Big Read aims to encourage as many people as possible to celebrate great crime writing by reading the same novel at the same time.

To mark the 60th anniversary of Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale, readers are invited to celebrate this iconic thriller with Festival Reader in Residence and bestselling crime author, David Mark.

Tickets are now on sale for Big Read reading group events throughout June where David will be meeting and discussing Bond at a number of venues around the North.

David Mark said:

I don’t think Bond and I have much in common in terms of our physical abilities. I’m not really the sort of chap who could parachute through a window, kill a dozen henchmen and switch off a nuclear bomb, my glasses would fall off but Bond has been a part of my life for three decades. I’ve read all the books so many times that I’ve kind of spoiled the films for myself. When I was asked Casino Royale Coverto be Reader in Residence for this year’s festival and take the lead on some get-togethers about Casino Royale, I jumped at the chance. I can’t wait to get out and meet readers and fans.

 

Festival Chief Executive Sharon Canavar said:

We are enormously proud of the Festival’s pro-active literacy initiatives. The Big Read is one such project which aims to encourage local people to get reading together. Thanks to the generous support of publisher Vintage Classics, the Festival can distribute 1500 copies of Casino Royale to local reading groups for free.

 

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Publishing Director of Vintage Classics Laura Hassan said:

Vintage Classics exists to enable new audiences to discover the classics and we are proud to support the Big Read. Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale was first published 60 years ago and we’re delighted to think of how many of Harrogate’s readers will get to know the thrilling book that inspired the film. They might be surprised to find out how Bond really orders his martinis…

Copies of Casino Royale will be available to reading groups via the Festival’s partner libraries in North Yorkshire, Leeds, Newcastle, Stockton, North Tyneside and South Tyneside who are organising Big Read events.

Knaresborough Library, North Yorks, 7pm 13 June 2013

£3. To book, tel. 0845 300 5112, email Knaresborough.library@northyorks.gov.uk or book in person at Knaresborough Library, Market Place, Knaresborough HG5 8AG

 

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