Author: Kevin Thurston
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Just Buffalo Literary Center welcomes legendary Irish novelist Edna O’Brien as the next writer in their BABEL author series on March 24th.
If you’ve never been to BABEL before, you are missing out. Imagine the smartest person you know speaking about a subject they love and you are getting the picture. Add to that a walk up Porter Avenue on a Spring evening to the beautiful setting of Kleinhans Music Hall and you have yourself the makings of a wonderful night.
The format for BABEL is quite simple: arrive at Kleinhans, mingle in the lobby for a bit, then take your seat. After some brief introductory remarks, the author—Edna O’Brien in this case—takes the stage and delivers her talk. Afterwards, Just Buffalo’s Artistic Director Barbara Cole interviews the author. However, what makes it truly unique is that she also uses questions generated by the audience.
Edna O’Brien’s first novel, The Country Girls, was censored in Ireland for its depictions of women’s sexuality and her family’s parish priest even burned copies of the book—Ms. O’Brien hasn’t stopped pushing the envelope ever since.
Ms. O’Brien’s talk on “Why Literature Matters” will focus on writers who have been particularly influential to her practice—James Joyce, Emily Dickinson, William Faulkner—and how literature deserves a place in our daily lives.
Edna O’Brien has led an amazing life with friendships that span from Jackie Kennedy Onassis to Paul McCartney. Philip Roth has called her “the most gifted woman now writing in English.” Whether you’re an avid reader, an aspiring writer, or just a proud Buffalonian with Irish blood, you don’t want to miss this special event.
Just Buffalo Literary Center’s BABEL event featuring Edna O’Brien
March 24, 2017 | 8:00pm
Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle
Irish literary legend Edna O’Brien
$35/$30 with library card/$10 students (with group discounts available)
Tickets www.justbuffalo.org/product/babel-tickets or 716.832.5400