The International Anthony Burgess Foundation and Carcanet Press are delighted to welcome Lorna Goodison, the first female poet laureate of Jamaica, for an evening of readings.

Lorna Goodison has won numerous awards for her writing in both poetry and prose, including the Commonwealth Poetry Prize, the Musgrave Gold Medal from Jamaica, and one of Canada’s largest literary prizes, the British Columbia National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction.

Her work has made regular appearances in the major collections of contemporary poetry over the past twenty-five years. She has an award winning memoir to her name, teaches at the University of Michegan and holds the distiguished title of Jamaica National Order of Distinction (Commander Rank). Goodison was appointed Poet Laureate of Jamaica on 17 May 2017 and will serve until 2020.

“This Caribbean-born poet finds comfort in the spirits of her ancestors, whom she conjures in delightful poem after poem.” Kirkus Reviews

“Goodison could also be among the finest poets writing today.” World Literature Today

“There is such ripe sensuousness in Goodison’s work that it is hard not to wish she published more frequently.” Booklist

Tickets are £8 advance (£6 for students), with special early-bird £6 tickets available to the general public for one week only. Link coming soon.