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Edinburgh International Book Festival

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Red Mezz
Red Mezz
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
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1
Review
4
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Edinburgh International Bookfestival

  • August 29, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
Edinburgh International Bookfestival

Every year in August, just as the Royal Mile and the rest of the city begins to dress itself in the brightly coloured festival attire of street musicians and performers - with banners and flyers of all shapes, sizes, and colours - the west end gardens begins a more subdued, yet no less exciting, transformation.

The area known as Charlotte Square Gardens, at the far west end of George Street (though it can be reached by any number of routes, heading west in Edinburgh) begins to cover itself in tents and tarps while it undergoes this transformation, until the second week in August (usually around the 11th) when it unveils and becomes the Edinburgh International Bookfestival.

Though fair weather is a bonus for all events in the month long festival extravaganza that happens in this city in August - unlike the others, the book festival can be just as pleasant on a drizzly, rainy day.

The centre of the gardens remains open to those who want to lounge in the grass; reading their newly acquired books or papers - having a bit of lunch, coffee, or wine or an ice cream from the vendor in the middle of the square.

But if the rain is coming down - as it seemed to do most all of this year - the walk ways are all completely covered, and there are many structures set up for which to enjoy the festival with out getting wet at all.

The one major drawback of the festival in my opinion is the cost. Entrance into the festival is free - but this allows you little more than wandering what is essentially an 'outdoor' bookshop. You can wander for free if you like, reading in the grass and enjoying the festival vibe - and you may well even catch a signing or sighting of one of your favourite authors. But with few free exceptions, most all of the events cost in the region of £7 - £10, which seems a bit pricey to me.

There is a wide range of events, though - including some very well-known authors in 'meet the author' events. This was my choice of event this year, as I went to see Yann Martel (the author of 'Life of Pi') in the RBS main theater. A bit pricey, as I said - but in the end I was very glad I had gone.

The author's list is long and this year included such writers as Joanne Harris, Iain Rankin, Alexander McCall Smith, Colin Thubron, and many more. There are also a number of writer’s workshops to visit if you are interested, though these too are about £10 each.

If literature is your thing, you are certain to enjoy it. Spending a day browsing newly signed books by local and foreign authors, surrounded by like minded fans is a nice change of pace to the rest of the festival. They also cater largely to kids - with signings and talks by children’s authors.

From journal Performers and Comedians...Festival Madness!

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