Isle and Empires: Romanov Russia, Britain and the Isle of Wight Welcome to the Festival Alan Titchmarsh, Patron and long time supporter October 9, 2020 6:45 pm The Hunting of the Snark (An Agony in Eight Fits) Jeremy Irons October 9, 2020 7:00 pm Jeremy Irons reminisces about his childhood on the island an reads Lewis Carroll's poem "The Hunting of the Snark (an Agony in Eight Fits)" Wild Thing: The Short, Spellbinding Life of Jimi Hendrix Philip Norman October 10, 2020 10:00 am Wild Thing brings together the splendour and sadness of musical genius and showman Jimi Hendrix's brief life. CLICK WILD THING TO PURCHASE The American Duchess Anna Pasternak October 10, 2020 11:00 am In this intimate retelling of the love story of Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII, Anna Pasternak tells how twisted gossip and public distrust has always haunted women who dare to fall for an Eng... Running Free Sir Robin Knox-Johnston October 10, 2020 12:00 pm Adventurer and record-breaking sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston discusses his extraordinary life. The first man ever to complete a single-handed, non-stop circumnavigation of the world, Knox-Johnsto... About the digital festival and the history of the Literary Festival The Patrons, Trustees and Supporters of IWLF October 10, 2020 1:00 pm Trustees and supporters talk about the background to the festival how it is run by volunteers. A Flight over Northwood House October 10, 2020 1:30 pm A reminder of our wonderful festival venue Northwood House. IWLF Schools programme Mark Waldron, Head of Ryde School October 10, 2020 1:45 pm Local extremely talented Thomas Luke has provided a soundtrack for this session. White King: The Tragedy of Charles I Leanda de Lisle October 10, 2020 2:00 pm Leanda de Lisle looks at the myths and the tragedy, an epic story of glamour, strong women, populist politicians, war and religious terror that surround Charles I. CLICK WHITE KING TO PURCHASE Resolution: Two Brothers, a Nation in Crisis David Rutland and Emma Ellis October 10, 2020 3:00 pm Based upon the detailed archives held at Belvoir Castle, and drawing on a wealth of primary research, Resolution charts the lives and fortunes of two eighteenth-century aristocratic brothers – Char... She-Merchants, Buccaneers and Gentlewomen: British Women in India Katie Hickman October 10, 2020 4:00 pm Katie Hickman reveals the life and times of hundreds of women who make their way across the sea to India from the very early seventeenth century, and changed history. CLICK SHE-MERCHANTS, BUCCANEE... Interview with local MP Bob Seely October 10, 2020 6:00 pm Bob talks about the Isle of Wight Literary Festival and current issues affecting the Isle of Wight. An Illustrated Life Nicholas Allan October 11, 2020 10:00 am Award winning children’s author/illustrator Nicholas Allan talks about his life; reads from his well-known books and performs magic tricks! CLICK FATHER CHRISTMAS NEEDS A WEE OR PICASSO’S TROUSERS... The Beatles Lyrics: The Unseen Story Behind Their Lyrics Hunter Davies October 11, 2020 11:00 am Hunter Davies shares the engaging stories behind the lyrics of The Beatles’ songs. Click The Beatles Book to purchase. Marigolds, Myrtle and Moles: A Gardener's Bedside Book Alan Titchmarsh October 11, 2020 12:00 pm Alan Titchmarsh shares his reflections on the benefits of gardening and reads poems from his latest book. Click Marigolds, Myrtle and Moles to purchase. Taming The Four Horsemen: Radical solutions to Pandemics, War, Famine and the Death of the Planet Robin Hanbury-Tenison October 11, 2020 2:00 pm Robin Hanbury-Tenison shares his radical solutions for the challenges facing us today. He makes a persuasive case for transformational change. Click Taming the Four Horsemen to purchase. Mum and Dad Joanna Trollope October 11, 2020 3:00 pm Best selling author Jonna Trollope talks about her latest book. Red Funnel - Festival title sponsor Fran Collins, CEO October 11, 2020 3:30 pm Marconi on the Isle of Wight Tim Wander October 11, 2020 4:00 pm Tim explores Italian inventor Gugliemo Marconi's early work on the Isle of Wight from 1897. Click Marconi On the Isle of Wight to purchase. Write on Wight Various Isle of Wight Authors October 11, 2020 5:00 pm Local authors have sent us videos telling us about their work and where they draw inspiration on the Isle of Wight. Traitor King: The Scandalous Exile of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor Andrew Lownie October 8, 2021 6:00 pm Best selling author Andrew Lownie reveals the dramatic and scandalous lives of the Windsors post abdication. The Fallen Angel Tracy Borman October 9, 2021 11:00 am The Fallen Angel is the 3rd novel in the King’s Witch trilogy set in King James I's court. Tracy discussed her research and the historical accuracy behind the story. Isle and Empires Stephan Roman October 9, 2021 12:00 pm Stephan Roman conjures up Russia's lost imperial glory and delves into the uneasy partnership between Britain and Russia, and the Isle of Wight’s role in the Romanov story. In the Golden Age of Offshore Racing Dick Carter October 9, 2021 2:00 pm 93 year old yacht designer Dick Carter provides his insights on the golden age of Offshore racing and his attraction to Cowes. The Devil You Know Dr Gwen Adshead October 9, 2021 3:00 pm Dr Gwen Adshead - forensic psychiatrist - gives profound insights into ideas of evil, and the stories behind criminals. In the face of overcrowded prisons and devastating cuts to mental health car... A Bit of a Stretch: the Diary of a Prisoner Chris Atkins October 9, 2021 4:00 pm Chris Atkins talks about his recent experience of life inside prison. An incredibly compelling account, not just because of Atkin's incongruity and his knack for black, observational humour, but be... Write on Wight - Local Authors Steve Love, Felicity Fair Thompson, Josh Barry October 9, 2021 5:00 pm Steve talks about his motives for this novel set against the financial crises of the last 10 years - the banking greed, frauds, scams and rackets that emerged in the fall-out. A miniature Isle o... The Pavilion in the Clouds Alexander McCall Smith October 10, 2021 11:00 am Master story teller Alexander McCall Smith talks about his many writing projects - the latest updates from Mma Ramotswe's No 1 Ladies Detective agency in Botswana, and new goings on at 44 Scotland ... The Almanac Lia Leendertz October 10, 2021 12:00 pm Lea Leendertz has reinvented the tradition of a rural almanac - with a toolkit for connecting with the natural world and the culture of Britain month by month. Catch Your Breath Ed Patrick October 10, 2021 2:00 pm The NHS has been a key focus over the last 18 months. Dr Ed Patrick talks to Amber Beard about his memoir as an anaesthetist during the Covid outbreak and alternative career as a stand-up comic. ... Two Minutes to Midnight: 1953 Roger Hermiston October 10, 2021 4:00 pm Roger Hermiston explains why 1953 was a crucial year in history, with serious immediate threats, and a stored up legacy of problems for future generations. Unmasking our Leaders Michael Cockerell October 10, 2021 4:00 pm Documentary film maker Michael Cockerell has interviewed all of the past 10 prime ministers and has many fascinating stories to tell. Blood and Gold Mara Menzies October 10, 2021 5:00 pm Performance storyteller Mara Menzies explores African ancestry through tales of slavery, cruelty and colonisation, exploring the themes of loss and oppression.
