The Sheldonian Theatre welcomes some big-name speakers at the 2012 Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival.

There will be appearances from Philip Pullman, Sir David Hare, Michael Morpurgo (pictured left), Sir Alan Parker, Vikram Seth, Anthony Horowitz, the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, Robert Harris, and Peter Carey.

The visit of Peter Carey on Sunday, April 1, is a major literary event, coming on the eve of the twice Booker-winner’s publication of his new novel The Chemistry of Tears. Phillip Pullman will be joined on the opening morning of the festival by fellow authors Christopher Edge and J D Sharpe for a debate on Dickens’ influence on children’s literature. The debate will be chaired by Dickens’ great-great-granddaughter Marion Dickens Lloyd.

Sir David Hare will be discussing his life in theatre and his new play South Downs when he appears on the evening of Saturday, March 24, and, the following day, Sir Alan Parker talks about his life in film.

Michael Morpurgo will be speaking on the morning of Sunday, March 25. His 1982 novel War Horse was recently turned into a West End and Broadway play and is now a Steven Spielberg movie.

The Chancellor’s Lecture on the Tuesday evening will be given by Indian novelist, travel writer, poet, librettist, children’s author and essayist Vikram Seth. Seth, pictured below, is one of the most versatile writers living today and his most recent work is a series of four libretti The Rivered Earth.

Anthony Horowitz will be discussing his Sherlock Holmes novel The House of Silk on the second Saturday of the festival. Horowitz was the first person to receive the support of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s estate for a new Holmes novel.

The second Saturday also sees Dr Rowan Williams discuss with Eliza Griswold her book The Tenth Parallel: Dispatches from the Faultline between Christianity and Islam. Completing the Saturday line-up is Robert Harris who will discuss his latest novel, The Fear Index, set in the world of high finance. All events are open for booking now. Click on the links on the website or telephone the box office on 01865 305305. ← See all stories