Durham Reads
Durham Reads Together
It’s good to read, but it’s even better to read together. This year for the very first time we are encouraging as many readers as possible to join together in a Durham countywide civic reading project. We have chosen The Possessions of Doctor Forrest, a new novel by Richard T Kelly, as our featured book.
About the book
When Dr Forrest goes missing without warning one summer evening, his friends are alarmed. The police find no evidence of foul play but two of Forrest’s friends resolve to conduct their own investigation. Soon they are bedevilled by bizarre and unnerving events and the attentions of menacing strangers. The novel leads the reader on a descent into darkness that is both disturbing and beguiling.
“Drags the gothic novel kicking and screaming into this new century replete with its on horrors and demons” David Peace
Find out more at www.doctorforrest.co.uk
About the author
Richard T Kelly is a novelist, biographer and journalist. His debut novel Crusaders (2008) was set in Newcastle. He has written extensively about filmmakers, including the acclaimed authorised biography Sean Penn: His Life and Times (2004).
Free book give-away
On 1 September we will be releasing 1,000 copies of The Possessions of Doctor Forrest into County Durham through libraries, civic and cultural venues and via a number of specially appointed Book Ambassadors. Every library-operated reading group in the county will be reading the book in September and October along with many private reading groups. We’ve also produced a special festival reading guide to the book written by the author. Check back here at the beginning of September to find out where you can get your free copies of the book.
Our Book Ambassadors are leading members of the business, public and university communities in the city and include Neal Holloway (Radisson Blu), Louise Hunter (Northumbrian Water), Margaret Masson (St Chad’s College, Durham University), Jen Straughan (Durham Town Hall), Simon James (Department of English, Durham University) and Paulina Lubacz (Durham University). Our Book Ambassador network is growing all of the time and if you’d like to help, please get in touch with the festival office.
Pick up a free copy of the book
You can pick up a free copy of the book in the following Durham shops and businesses (subject to availability so get there quick!):
Gala Theatre
Alington House
Leonard’s Coffee House
Saddlers Café
Flat White Café
Chapters of Durham restaurant
Treats Café
Claypath Delicatessen
TJ Doyles Traditional Confectionery
British Heart Foundation
Scope
Stephanie’s Flowers
Ciao Ciao Mediterrean Bakery-Deli
Alistair Wade Optometrists
Advance Hair Salon
Durham University English Department
Fire and Rescue Service (Framwellgate Moor)
Durham City Arts
You can also buy the novel at Waterstone's in Durham and pick up a free Reading Guide at the same time.
Free reading guide
Richard T Kelly has created a free Reading Guide for anyone who is reading the novel who is interested in what inspired the story. The guide will give rich background to the book for anyone but is especially useful for people who are reading the book as part of a book group as it contains a set of questions that reading groups will enjoy discussing. You can download the guide here.
Gothic films
For those of you who prefer to watch the movie, the festival team have teamed up with Durham’s hugely successful mobile cinema initiative to bring you a programme of cult gothic movie classics, to a community venue near you. We’ll be announcing the screening dates and venues at the beginning of September here.
Gothic walking tours
The festival has created three special guided walks around the historic city of Durham. During the daytime walks, you can lose yourself in an historic journey of discovery and marvel at our stunning architecture that boasts the embryonic beginnings of the gothic style, found in the city’s World Heritage Site, Durham Cathedral. As dusk falls, we will lead you through the medieval streets of the haunted heart of the North East. Join us as we reveal secret tales of murders, ghouls and hauntings, through the ancient art of story telling.
Saturday 22 October at 3pm and Sunday 23 October at 3pm. Please see our programme listing section for booking information.
Free guided walk app
From the beginning of October you will be able to download a free self-guided interactive mobile app. Please check back here for more information.
Read to write: exploring Doctor Forrest
On Friday 21 October you can join Room to Write for a workshop that will explore The Possessions of Doctor Forrest from the perspective of both readers and writers. Come along and get an insight into how the novel works from both a writing and reading perspective. The Room to Write team will be blogging about the Durham Reads experience throughout September and October at www.roomtowrite.co.uk. Please see our programme listing section for booking information.
Meet Richard T Kelly
On Tuesday 18 October you can meet the author of The Possessions of Doctor Forrest at a special event at the Gala Theatre. Hear from the author about what inspired the novel. Actors will read extracts from classic gothic fiction alongside readings by Richard from the novel and you’ll also get the chance to ask any questions that you have about the book and find out what other readers thought. Please see our programme listing section for booking information.
Tell us what you think about the book
Share your views on the book and meet other readers online at:
Facebook: The Friends of Doctor Forrest
Durham Reads is produced by the festival in conjunction with Durham City Arts, Faber & Faber, Waterstone's and the County Durham Library service.
With special thanks to June Gowland and Helen Thompson of Durham Libraries