The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival is joining forces with Bonne Maman Pâtisserie and Vintage Classics for our 2010 Big Read — Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.
A classic tale
The classic tale of passionate love and tragic misunderstandings, featuring the beautiful and spirited Bathsheba as its heroine, has captivated readers since its publication in 1874.
Join us
Join us in the next few months and during the festival to delve deep into the hearts and minds of Bathsheba and her many admirers. Free book groups will be taking place in the next few months across the country where you can get together with fellow book lovers to enjoy excellent Bonne Maman Pâtisserie and discuss the colourful characters and twisting plot of Far from the Madding Crowd!
Bonne Maman and The Big Read
Everyone knows that curling up to read a good book is one of life’s little pleasures and having an opportunity to discuss it with others over a cup of coffee and some fantastic biscuits or cakes only makes the enjoyment last longer.
That’s where the Bonne Maman Big Read comes in. A classic book, Far From the Madding Crowd, interesting people to lead the debates and delicious Galette biscuits and Madeleine cakes.
“Bringing people together to discuss books they’ve read is such a friendly and sociable activity and Bonne Maman biscuits and cakes add to enjoyment of the occasion”
Julien Zigliara from Bonne Maman Pâtisserie
Book Groups
Please get in touch with the venues if you would like to take part…
- Tuesday 14 September, 7pm at Chipping Campden Library — 01386 840692
- Tuesday 21 September, 7pm at Gloucester Library — 01452 426973
- Wednesday 22 September, 7pm at the Yellow-Lighted Bookshop, Tetbury — 01666 500221
- Tuesday 28 September, 6.30pm at Cheltenham Library — 01242 532686/532687
If you’re now desperate to snuggle up with some Bonne Maman biscuits and Far from the Madding Crowd, copies of the book will be available from Gloucestershire Libraries from the end of June onwards.
Special festival events
Thomas Hardy: Lucy Hughes-Hallett, Liz Jensen, Posy Simmonds and Claire Tomalin
Sat 16 October
Event 279
more →
Set up your own book club
To set up a reading group — download our step by step guide
To get your group started — download the Far from the Madding Crowd reading notes (PDF) from Vintage Classics
To register your book club — and receive printed versions of our notes and reading guides email your name and address to: bigread@cheltenhamfestivals.com
The first 50 registered users will also be sent a pack of delicious Bonne Maman biscuits to enjoy.
Alternatively if don’t have your own book club join the Vintage reading group, and chat with people from across the country (or even the globe)!
Watch this space for more details
Keep an eye on this page as we add more information, and if you have any queries about the Bonne Maman Big Read in association with Vintage Classics please email bigread@cheltenhamfestivals.com.
