Ian McEwan, Cadogan Hall

Counting the Man Booker  Prize, a CBE  and the Jerusalem  Prize among his many accolades, Ian McEwan is one of the most accomplished contemporary writers. This is a rare opportunity to hear him read and discuss his latest novel before general publication.

The Children Act, due to be published on the 4th of September, explores the conflict between religious rights and a secular state. Protagonist Fiona Mayes is an eminent High Court judge, who has reached personal crisis point in a cold, childless marriage. As she is called to try the thorny case of a 17 year old boy who, with full support of his parents, refuses life-saving treatment for religious reasons, Fiona's own morals are also on trial. This is a gripping examination of faith against secularism that is as heart-wrenching as it is intelligent.

McEwan is a vociferous sceptic of organised religion; at the recent Oxford Literary Festival he stated the "the secular mind seems far superior in making reasonable judgements". Expect a thought-provoking moral argument along with an insight into the his authorial process as McEwan is discusses The Children Act and his literary career with journalist, novelist and broadcaster, Jonathan Freedland.