Crowthorne and Sandhurst

Award-winning novelist Lionel Shriver entertained 80 fans of her work at Crowthorne Library last week (October 5).

At Crowthorne Lionel offered background on her writing, read from her book 'Double Fault' and then took questions about her life, writing career and novels.

Lionel's seventh novel, 'We Need to Talk about Kevin', won the prestigious Orange Prize for Fiction in 2005 and she is a regular guest on BBC2's Newsnight Review.

‘We Need to Talk about Kevin’ focuses on a mother's anguish over whether she has failed her child.

Born Margaret Ann Shriver she decided she wanted to become a writer at the age of seven and her first novel was published when she was 29.

A graduate of Columbia University, she has written extensively for the Wall Street Journal, Philadelphia Enquirer, Economist and the Guardian.

Now based in London she continues to work as a journalist in spite of the huge impact made by ‘We Need to Talk about Kevin’ which quickly became a best seller that stayed in the book charts for more than a year.

Her new book, 'The Post-Birthday World' is set to be published next year.

Ruth Burgess, Head of Libraries and Information, said: "It was a pleasure to welcome Lionel to our newest library and we were delighted that so many people came along. She offered a fascinating insight to her novels and career as a journalist."

Angie Southern, a fan who came from Reading for the Crowthorne event, said: "It was absolutely brilliant. Whoever thought of this, well done!

"I’ve been raving about Lionel Shriver for months and to meet her was such a privilege. She is quite simply a phenomenal writer."

Visit the Council's website: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/libraries for more information about Lionel Shriver's visit and for information about the library services and forthcoming events.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council ~ Crowthorne