Feast on Lit: Capital M This Week
This week sees three delectable events on the Capital M Literary Festival schedule: get lost in a mother-daughter mystery framed around historical art, drool over a foodie trip down the Silk Road, and learn the pitfalls of writing across cultural, political and social boundaries. Also special about these weeknight events is the food. Capital M's fare is, well, capital, but if the opening cocktail reception on Friday was any indication (toothsome mushroom risotto! fresh, fragrant soft-shelled crab! lovely wines!), this festival's a celebration of more than books. Read on for more info.
Tuesday, Mar 1, 6:30pm: Anne Summer, The Lost Mother
The Australian author shares about her gripping new novel, an unlikely combination of art history, detective story, and ruminations on mother-daughter relationships. The fact that it's a Literary Dinner makes it all the more luscious. RMB 388.
Wednesday, Mar 2, 6:30pm: Jen Lin-Liu and Craig Simons, Food of the Silk Road
Lin-Liu, author of Serve the People: A Stir-fried Journey Through China and owner of restaurant-slash-cooking school Black Sesame Kitchen, hosts a talk about her latest travels with photographer Craig Simons. The two took a trip down the famed historic thoroughfare to discover its culinary offerings, and are bringing their findings (and food porn) to you. RMB 65.
(Note: This one's not a Literary Dinner, but Lit Fest Lunchboxes are available all day for RMB 60. Believe me, after this talk, you'll need one. Oh, and your festival ticket comes with a free drink.)
Thursday, Mar 3, 6pm: Writing Across Borders with Ian Johnson, Pankaj Mishra, and Jeffrey Wasserstrom
An illustrious panel complete with historian, journalist, novelist/essayist and blogger opens up about the challenges of thinking and writing across the cultural and genre lines we dance through in today's global village. Yet another Capital M Literary Dinner. RMB 388.
Meanwhile, be sure to catch our interview with Jessica Rudd, author of political murder novel Campaign Ruby, which will go live on the blog tomorrow, followed by another this week with paranormal romance novelist and comic book writer Marjorie M. Liu. Good stuff!
