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Rose Tremain's Sacred Country (Vintage) has been chosen for City Reads 2018 as part of Brighton Fesitval.
The City Reads initiative sees one book selected for the whole community to read, explore, discuss and engage with creatively. It will launch across Brighton on World Book Night (23rd April) and will end on 13th May when Tremain will be in conversation with journalist Nicolette Jones at the festival.
Sacred Country tells the "compelling" story of Mary, who was born in the wrong body, and her "arduous" journey to become Martin. Moving from the claustrophobic rural community of the 1950s to London in the swinging sixties and beyond to the glitter of America in the seventies, Sacred Country is the story of a journey to find a place of safety and fulfilment in a savage and confusing world.
Tremain said: "I’m delighted that Sacred Country has been chosen for Brighton City Reads. It seems to me that this city, with its long tradition of tolerance and its talent for celebration is a place where Mary/Martin could have found happiness. To make this book live again for Brighton readers will be an honour."
Sarah Hutchings, artistic director at City Reads, added: "Despite being written in 1992, Sacred Country is a novel that deserves to be re-discovered as it is still a hugely relevant work. Mary’s story is told with skill, compassion and empathy. Rose Tremain is one of the UK’s most respected writers and we are delighted to be welcoming her to Brighton & Hove in May to discuss this groundbreaking novel with readers across the city."
From its launch on World Book Night (23th April) to the final event at Brighton Festival on 13th May, City Reads will feature a wide range of activities aimed at encouraging residents across the city (and beyond) to read more and discuss books. Highlights include the return of the Booky Photo Booth at Jubilee Library (23rd April to 5th May), crime writer William Shaw’s Bespoke Book Group podcast on 26th April, a themed film screening at Depot (Lewes), and Tremain will be live at Brighton Festival for the City Reads finale on Sunday 13th May.
The full City Reads programme will be annoucned on 15th February.