Jesmyn Ward at Central Library

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Jesmyn Ward

27 April 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Writer Jesmyn Ward. Credit: B Sheehan.
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Described as “one of the most important writers in America today”, and compared to the likes of William Faulkner, Mississippi-based author Jesmyn Ward’s work is championed by everyone from Margaret Atwood (who calls her “a must-read”) to CT’s own favourite, Jon McGregor.

Manchester Literature Festival and the Centre for New Writing have managed to lure her to town for a rare visit to discuss her latest critically acclaimed novel Sing, Unburied, Sing, winner of the prestigious 2017 National Book Award for Fiction. Set in America’s Deep South, Sing, Unburied, Sing is an urgent, atmospheric and intimate tale with epic qualities, dealing with hope, struggle, race, poverty and loss, along with family issues and the legacies of love, violence and belonging handed down through generations. This is Jesmyn Ward’s third novel, and follows Salvage the Bones and Where the Line Bleeds, along with the memoir Men We Reaped. She is also the editor of the collection of poems and essays by 18 writers The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race.

This event is part of MLF’s new Spring Programme and takes place in the lovely Central Library.

 

Where to go near Jesmyn Ward at Central Library

St Peters Square Manchester
City Centre
St Peter’s Square

St Peter’s Square is a public space in Manchester – home to the city’s iconic library, town hall, Pankhurst statue, art gallery and famous Midland Hotel.

Manchester Art Gallery. Photo by Andrew Brooks
City Centre
Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery

The Charles Barry-designed, Grade I-listed Manchester Art Gallery is one of the city’s leading galleries and is back open for visitors once more.

Manchester
Restaurant
Ban Di Bul

Ban Di Bul is a longstanding Korean restaurant in the very centre of Manchester.

Chinatown
Hotel
The Alan

This high-end city-centre restaurant has an excellent afternoon tea option that more than matches up to the superb main menu.

Salut Wines
Chinatown
Bar or Pub
Salut Wines

Salut wines pride themselves in offering “wider horizons beyond the safe choices.” With 42 wines by the glass and a regularly changing selection of bottles in their Enomatic wine preservation machines (or  “wine jukebox,” as they’re colloquially known), this is one of be best bars in Manchester for exploring new vintages.

Manchester
Restaurant
Friska

Latest branch of Friska, the independent healthy fast food chain.

Manchester
Restaurant
Don Giovanni

Traditional Italian restaurant, serving everything from pizza to steak. All this in a large modern venue with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Chinatown
Restaurant
Manchester Art Gallery Cafe

Summery bakes, seasonal salads and fresh light meals at Manchester Art Gallery’s in-house café, courtesy of highly-regarded Head Chef Matthew Taylor.

City Centre
Tourist Attraction
Manchester Town Hall

Re-opening in 2024, Manchester Town Hall is a monument to Victorian Manchester’s ambition, and one of the city’s most-loved landmarks.

City Centre
Tourist Attraction
Albert Square

A public square in the heart of Manchester which plays hosts to festivals and major events. Home to the Albert Memorial and statues of Bishop James Fraser, John Bright, Oliver Heywood and William Ewart Gladstone.

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