Salon at The London Library: Monica Heisey and a world premiere from Jenni Fagan. Hosted by Damian Barr.

Damian Barr’s Literary Salon returns to The London Library on Thursday May 25th, with Monica Heisey and a world premiere from Jenni Fagan. Hosted by Damian Barr.

We’re back in person and online for our first Salon of 2023! With two bold and brilliant writers.

Every story starts with a writer alchemising their own experience. Whether it’s a memoir or epic fiction, the truth of the writer is in there somewhere. Join us as we explore two equally superb, but wildly different, books where the writer uses their own story to powerful effect.

'Really Good, Actually' is Monica Heisey’s debut novel. Her heroine is Maggie, 29, who manages to get divorced before most of her friends have even considered getting married. And her marriage ended just 608 days after it started. Sure, she’s alone for the first time in her life, can’t afford her rent and her obscure PhD is going nowhere . . . but she’s fine – she’s doing really good, actually. Like Maggie, Monica is a ‘Surprisingly Young Divorcée TM’. Here she uses fiction to tell a bigger truth than her own. It is so funny I have lightly stained some pages. Monica has contributed to The New Yorker, the New York Times, Vogue and the Guardian. And she’s written on shows including Schitt’s Creek!

We are honoured to bring you the world premiere of the long-awaited memoir by the award-winning, genre-bending genius Jenni Fagan. 'Ootlin' has been twenty years and a lifetime in the making.  Jenni takes us on her journey through the broken care system from birth to the age of 16. It is a story of loss, love and longing.  Of trying to find your way and finding your place in an often-hostile world. It is a story about the stories we tell ourselves of ourselves. It is powerfully alive and heart-breaking and ultimately hopeful because Jenni’s story lives in every page she’s ever written.  'Ootlin' is sure to be a classic.

We return to The London Library!

The London Library opened in 1841, it’s the largest independent lending library in the world and supported by its esteemed Members. Alumni include Bram Stoker and Virginia Woolf. Today you might spot Inua Ellams or Sarah Waters scribbling among the stacks. Apparently, they all have favourite desks!

Doors open at 6.30pm and so will the bar! The Salon starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are seated-early arrivals swoop on the seats at the front. There will be no interval.

•       Early bird (in person) tickets are £15.
•       Newsletter Subscriber (in person) tickets are £22.50.
•       Standard (in person) tickets are £22.50. 
•       Online tickets (watch live and after event) £5
•       All plus Eventbrite booking fees. 

Covid Safety at Salon and The London Library: please do not come to the Library if you have tested positive or are showing symptoms for covid. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping everyone at the Library safe. For more information about the London Library go to www.londonlibrary.co.uk/whats-on. You can also find out about accessibility there.

The event will be livestreamed and we will also record it for our podcast after!  Thanks, as ever, for all your support.

Your salonnière, D.