Simon Armitage

We are delighted to have Simon Armitage in Bath to talk about his two new books this year: The Alliterative Morte Arthure and Walking Home.

The Alliterative Morte Arthure is a beautiful and accomplished retelling and translation of the 15th century Arthurian epic. It is set against a vividly painted backdrop of warfare and politics in which naval engagements and rearguard actions coalesce with courtly love affairs and remarkable dream sequences. Armitage’s The Alliterative Morte Arthure is a phenomenal work that is as enjoyable now as it was 600 years ago.

Walking Home takes a more meditative stance on life and is the story of Simon’s pilgrimage as a modern troubadour along the Pennine Way. The bleak terrain and lonely fields of his daytime treks are contrasted with his evenings spent in pubs and village halls giving poetry readings. Walking Home is nature writing with people at its heart; both moving and droll it is an exciting new book from one of the nation’s most beloved writers.