Many of the world's great works of art have been subject to censorship in their time. But, perhaps more than any of them, Nabokov's Lolita still retains the power to discommode and unsettle. "A disgusting book" is a typical Amazon customer review. The evening kicks off with actor Alan Howard reading from Lolita, and is followed by four writers and thinkers exploring the book and asking whether it is vitiated by - or even beautiful because of - its horrible central premise. Will Self's most recent book, Dorian, is a shameless reworking of Wilde's classic novel, steeped in drugs and sex. Jenny Diski's Skating to Antarctica is an extraordinary account of childhood. David Wilson, professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Central England, formerly a prison governor and set up the sex offender treatment programme at HMP Grendon. David Quantick, comedy writer (including Brass Eye, Jam, and The Junkies). In the chair is Guardian columnist, Zoe Williams.
Date : Thurs 3 Apr
Time : 6.45pm
Cost:
£8, £7 Concs, £6 ICA Members