Books are great but meeting the author is special

I DO love a literary festival. The annual arrival of the Henley Literary Festival brochure is a huge moment in our household as we work out how we can cram in as many events as possible. Each year, the brilliant team behind it seem to surpass themselves with their wide and expansive programme that caters to all tastes.

I’ve been thinking this week that my all-time favourite book — the Bible — is in many ways its own literary festival. It brings together dozens of authors, genres and themes. It is set on a range of different stages — each filled with tension, beauty, struggle or joy. It showcases gripping history, moving poetry, shocking biography and so much more. It has enthralled, challenged and intrigued readers for centuries — and still does.

For those who found Andrew Lownie compelling this week, with his insight into royal intrigue, it is worth checking out the biblical equivalents of the books called Kings and Chronicles with their dynastic drama, scandal and political manoeuvring.

Admirers of Lucy Easthope may well enjoy getting to grips with Exodus’s take on disaster and resilience and the long journey toward hope.

Elif Shafak’s novels remind me of the book of Ruth — both authors tell deeply human stories set against political and social complexity. If you are more of a Gill Hornby fan, then maybe start with the Bible’s best period drama — the book of Esther.

Those who gravitate more to Simon Armitage or Ben Okri may like to leaf through the anthology of King David — arguably the world’s first Poet Laureate.

Perhaps this breadth of literature helps to account for the fact that the Bible is the best-selling book of all time. It has been distributed in more copies than any other book in history — estimates from the Guinness World Records suggest more than five billion copies printed and sold. If it were not excluded from bestseller lists, it would occupy the number one spot every single week.

Portions of the Bible have been translated into more than 3,600 languages, far more than any other book. In fact, some languages were only written down when translators worked on the Bible, giving whole peoples their first alphabet, grammar and literature.

Christians claim the Bible is unique in that it was written not only by human authors but by God himself. It contains an invitation to talk to and listen to the author in person — wherever we are, whatever situation we find ourselves in.

There’s something significant in that. Next week, I will enjoy being able to meet some of my favourite authors in person. Hearing the author’s voice somehow adds an extra dimension to their stories. Whether through lectures, in conversation with the hosts, or over the book-signing table I have found that interacting with the author can bring a book to life in a whole new way.

Many of us who have read the Bible and talked to the author can confirm that it really is a life-changing read. I understand Bibles are available at our local bookshop, as well as via a free download on your smartphone or Kindle.