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The wonder of wonder - March 29 - 5.57pm - 2022

Dr Patrick Curry contemplates wonder in modern life

This is was great - ‘Enchantment: Wonder in Modern Life’ with environmental philosopher Dr Patrick Curry. Perfect at the end of a long day. But what was it about? Well, the idea that a sense of wonder, awe or amazement is central to a well-lived life and key to the future of the planet. And Dr Curry was perfect for the subject. A soft modulated voice, a gentle demeanour, an easy, late-at-night-bottle-of-red-uncorked delivery and a genuine affection for, and belief in, his subject. To be honest, it did get a little ‘fluffy’ for me but that’s not meant in any way as a criticism. I loved the fact I couldn’t grasp everything (isn’t that part of its wonder?). So just settled instead to be entranced and elevated.

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It was a privilege for me to visit the festival to receive the Bodley Medal. As an incidental blessing I saw Oxford at its most mysterious and atmospheric. It was a day of piercing cold and as I walked through the twilight from the Sheldonian to Christ Church, the streets were empty and the whole city was shutting itself away. Christ Church was silent except for the footfall of unseen persons around corners and the sounds of evensong creeping from behind closed doors. For the first time I understood thoroughly the power of college ghost stories.

The night in Oxford was the most beautiful event I have ever done. Not just the spectacular setting (of the Sheldonian), but an unforgettable evening.

I loved the whole atmosphere of the Oxford Literary Festival. From breakfast, alongside some of the attendees, who were talking books with each other a mile a minute, to the public event at The Sheldonian where everyone was lively and engaged – I felt I had arrived in a kind of literary heaven.

The Oxford festival is the most elegant and atmospheric of literary festivals. It’s a pleasure to both attend and perform there.

The Oxford Literary Festival has in my mind become the leading literary festival of the year. The organisation, the roster of speakers, the ambience and the sheer quality of it all is superb. May it now go from strength to strength each year stretching its ambition more and more. I believe it will.

A stimulating and rewarding on-stage conversation; a lively informed and tolerant audience; privileged access to the great treasures of the Bodleian, and finally, wonderfully interesting dinner companions to help me conclude the best day I have enjoyed at any festival – anywhere.

Often as an author, I only occasionally get to meet the public who buy and read my books. The Oxford Literary Festival was a special opportunity for me and certainly one of the highlights of my career – it was an honour I will never forget.

I came away buzzing and reassured that we still have in this century a wide ranging community fascinated not just by famous authors (I’ve rarely seen so many concentrated in one place) but by challenging ideas and questions.

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