The Guernsey Literary Festival is committed to supporting and celebrating the work of local writers and also the history, culture and landscapes of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

This year’s programme includes a number of events with local writers as well of talks celebrating our local heritage, and workshops for local creatives. Here are some of the events we have on offer this year.

A Wrinkle in the Skin Friday 3 May from 13.00 to 14.00 at Guille-Alles Library

Sam Youd wrote more than half his published 57 novels while living in Guernsey and today Nick and Rose Youd launch the SYLE Press’s new edition of his novel A Wrinkle in the Skin, in which a seismic cataclysm hits the island. Introduced by Keith Pengelley.

Anne Allen: The Inheritance Friday 3 May from 16:00-17:00 in the Festival Hub

Anne Allen is the author of the Guernsey Novels and the seventh book, The Inheritance, is the latest. This dual-time story focuses in part on Victor Hugo during his exile in Guernsey, introducing both real and fictional characters.

Steve Foote: Mervyn Peake: Son of Sark Saturday 4 May from 13:00-14:00 at the Guille-Alles Library

Steve Foote founded Blue Ormer to publish books about the Channel Islands. In his latest publication, he explores Mervyn Peake’s connections with the island of Sark. Best known for the Gormenghast trilogy, Peake is widely considered to be one of the 20th century’s most original and innovative novelists, poets and artists. In association with Blue Ormer Publishing

Bradley Stephens: Biography of Victor Hugo: A Monumental Life Saturday 4 May from 18:00-19:00 at Hauteville House

Victor Hugo expert Bradley Stephens talks about his biography, published in 2019, on one of the world’s great writers, Victor Hugo, who took refuge in Guernsey for 15 years and completed Les Misérables here.

Gregory Stevens Cox: Victor Hugo Explores Guernsey Sunday 5 May from 16:00-17:00 in the Festival Hub

In the 1860s Victor Hugo, following five well-established tourist routes, made more than 200 carriage drives exploring Guernsey’s country parishes. Victor Hugo Explores Guernsey, extensively illustrated with images of the period, follows the routes that Hugo took, the diversions he made, and relates them to his writings. In association with Blue Ormer Publishing.

Backlisted Podcast: The Book of Ebenezer Le Page by G.B. Edwards Sunday 5 May from 17:00-18:00 at St James

The literary podcast that gives new life to old books comes to Guernsey for a special episode dedicated to The Book of Ebenezer Le Page by G.B. Edwards. Hosts John Mitchinson and Andy Miller will be joined by Emmy award-winning writer Will Smith for a discussion of G.B. Edwards’ critically acclaimed novel of this fictional Guernseyman. Sponsored by The Guernsey Society.

An Evening with Ebenezer Le Page Sunday 5 May from 19:30-21:30 at St James

Join us for an evening celebrating Guernsey’s great novel. David Le Page and Viv McLean will perform their suite of music inspired by The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, with Rodney Collenette reading passages from the book. Sponsored by the Guernsey Society.

Gilly Carr: Nightmares, Nerves, Neuroses and Nazis Monday 6 May from 12:00-13:00 at Candie Museum

Dr Gilly Carr will be speaking about victims of Nazism in the Channel Islands and why post traumatic stress disorder contributed to their narrative of the Occupation being buried for generations. Gilly Carr, a senior lecturer in archaeology at the University of Cambridge, has authored more than 60 publications, including about the German Occupation.

Madeleine Bunting: The Irresistible Appeal of the Occupation for Novelists Monday 6 May from 15:00-16:00 at St James

Nearly 25 years after writing a widely acclaimed non-fiction history of the Occupation, Madeleine Bunting explains why the stories have haunted her ever since, and inspired her to writeIsland Song, a novel about wartime secrets in occupied Guernsey and a family changed for ever.

Traditional Music and Songs of the Channel Islands, with music by Lihou Monday 6 May from 19.30 to 21.30, St James

This concert brings the life and collections that feature in the new landmark publication and CD on the subject. Hear about the song collectors and authors and listen to music and song from the ensemble Lihou, which brings together musicians from Normandy, Brittany, the Channel Isles and England.