Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on all of our latest events, projects and news.
29 January 2026
7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
All ages welcome
£10
luma.com/JenniferNiven
Publishing
Read
Simply Books
Perfect for fans of Lessons in Chemistry and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Jennifer will explore how she created her brand-new novel and what it means to be a ‘perfect’ family.
She’ll be in conversation with a leading host unpacking her brand new novel and incredible career.
Every book and ticket comes with a hardback copy of Meet The Newmans, which Jennifer will sign and dedicate on the night.
About the Book: Meet The Newmans
You’ve seen the show. Now meet the woman behind the scenes…
From #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Jennifer Niven, a novel about America’s favorite TV family, whose perfect façade starts to crack, for fans of Lessons in Chemistry and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
Los Angeles, 1964.
For two decades, Del and Dinah Newman and their sons, Guy and Shep, have ruled television as America’s Favourite Family. Millions of viewers tune in every week to watch them play flawless, black-and-white versions of themselves. But now the Sixties are in full swing, and the Newmans’ perfection suddenly feels woefully out of touch.
Ratings are in free fall, as are the Newmans themselves. Del is keeping an explosive secret from his wife, and Dinah is slowly going numb. Steady, stable Guy is hiding the truth about his love life, and rock ‘n’ roll idol Shep may finally be in real trouble.
When Del is in a mysterious car accident, Dinah decides to take matters into her own hands. She hires Juliet Dunne, an outspoken young reporter, to help her write the final episode. But Dinah and Juliet have wildly different perspectives about what it means to be a woman, and a family, in 1964 America.
Can Dinah Newman bring her family together to change television history?
Or will she be cancelled before she ever had the chance?
Maybe it’s time for perfection to fall out of style…
About Jennifer Niven
Jennifer Niven is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of All the Bright Places, Holding Up the Universe and Breathless.
Her books have been translated into over 75 languages and have won literary awards around the world. An Emmy-award-winning screenwriter, she co-wrote the script for the All the Bright Places movie— currently streaming on Netflix and starring Elle Fanning and Justice Smith.
She is also the author of several narrative nonfiction titles and the Velva Jean historical fiction series. Jennifer divides her time between coastal Georgia and Los Angeles with her husband and literary cats.
Manchester City of Literature is committed to inclusion and accessibility for everyone.
Every person who uses our website deserves an inclusive online experience with options allowing you to choose how best to navigate and consume information to suit your needs. The Recite Me assistive technology toolbar allows for adjustments to all elements of the page including text, graphics, language, and navigation.