Julian Barnes in conversation with Ian McEwan

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Julian Barnes and Ian McEwan are widely celebrated as two of the finest writers of their generation. Along with Salman Rushdie and Kazuo Ishiguro, they were included on Granta’s prescient Best Young British Novelists list in 1993 and have gone on to write some of the most memorable novels of the past three decades.

On Tuesday January 20 they will come together for a live Intelligence Squared event, to celebrate the publication of Departure(s). Julian Barnes's new novel which follows a man named Stephen and a woman called Jean who fall in love when they are young and again when they are old. Barnes and McEwan will draw on the themes of the novel to discuss topics including philosophy, art, the slipperiness of memory, the passage of time, mortality and grief.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear two of the most celebrated voices in contemporary British literature discussing their craft and reflections on life. You will also have the chance to ask your own questions during the audience Q&A.

Margins Cafe will not be running for this event.

More Information:

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The venue is seating only. All seats are unreserved and are taken on a first come first serve basis. Please arrive early before event door times if you have preferred seats. Due to the nature of our venue, please be prepared to queue for entry.

The venue is fully accessible, with use of ramps and the upstairs bar is accessible with use of a platform lift. Please email [email protected] with your accessibility requirements as soon as you purchase your ticket as requests are dealt with on a first come, first serve basis.

The bar is located on the first floor of the venue and will be open from the stated door time and remain open after the show.

Alcohol consumption will be limited to the bar area only, it is not permitted to take alcohol to the main chapel space.  An array of soft drinks and snacks will also be available and are permitted in the main space - please note the Union Chapel bar and kiosk accept card payment only. Strictly no food or drink may be brought from outside into the venue. Water bottles must be emptied before entering the venue, with refilling stations available inside.