Margaret Atwood at Edinburgh Book Festival

Margaret Atwood

Booker-winning novelist to launch new book at festival

12 June 2009

Booker Prize winner Margaret Atwood is to launch her new novel The Year of the Flood at this year's Edinburgh Book Festival. The novel highlights God's Gardeners, a sect that has also appeared in her 2003 shortlisted book, Oryx and Crake.

The story features hymns laying out the sect's credo, and to celebrate the launch there will be a unique performance of music and song with composer Orville Stoeber. The event will take place in the inspirational surroundings of St John's Church on Princes Street.

Former Booker Prize judges John Carey and John Sutherland will also be at the festival, along with 1991 winner Ben Okri.

The festival takes place from 15 to 31 August 2009, and this is the 26th year it has been running.

See the full programme at the Edinburgh Book Festival website.