Books / Storysmith Books
Storysmith presents evening with landmark author Maggie O’Farrell
Much-loved indie bookshop Storysmith have announced their latest in a series of literary events will bring the bestselling and multi-award-winning author Maggie O’Farrell to Bristol on September 22.
To discuss her latest offering – The Marriage Portrait, the acclaimed author of novels including After You’d Gone, The Hand That First Held Mine and Hamnet will be in conversation with Imogen Hermes Goward – herself a bestselling author (for The Mermaid And Mrs Hancock) – at the beautiful setting of St Mary Redcliffe Church.
Attendees will be invited to pre-order hardback copies of the novel for a discounted price, to collect on the day; copies will also be available to purchase at the event.
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The announcement follows a busy few months of literary bookings at Storysmith, including Jessica Andrews, Candice Carty-Williams, Natasha Brown, Tom Cox, and a special night featuring four Bristol eco-poets: Caleb Parkin, Tjawangwa Dema, Jack Young and Samantha Walton.
For Storysmith owners, Dan and Emily Ross, the September event is a hugely exciting one for the shop. “Like so many of our customers, we’ve been fans of Maggie O’Farrell for a long time”, they reflect.
“Her gift for emotional nuance is almost unparalleled in popular fiction, and after the huge, award-winning publishing-event-of-the-year success of Hamnet we are so excited for Maggie’s new novel, The Marriage Portrait.

Book cover for Maggie O’Farrell, The Marriage Portrait – photo: courtesy of Storysmith Books
“We’re also indebted to the staff of St Mary Redcliffe for allowing us to use their stunning building (they even cancelled bellringing practice for us), an appropriately gothic space for a night of historical fiction.
“Many will already know what an incredible space it is, and we are excited to celebrate such a landmark author in person.”
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An evening with Maggie O’Farrell is at St Mary Redcliffe Church on September 22 at 7.30pm. For further information and ticket options, visit www.storysmithbooks.com.
Main photo: Murdo Macleod
Read more: Bristol’s Independent Bookshop Week 2022
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