We are thrilled to welcome Livi Michael back to Blackwell’s on the 17th of February to discuss her latest novel Elizabeth & Ruth.

Livi will be in conversation with Emma Liggins, co-director of the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies. There will also be a special themed quiz!

Doors: 6.30pm, starts: 6.45pm

Tickets are £4. Admission is free when purchasing a copy the book in advance.

About the Book:

Manchester, 1849. Elizabeth Gaskell, newly famous author of Mary Barton, visits a young Irish prostitute in Manchester’s New Bailey prison. The girl is about to be discharged onto the Manchester streets, where her old life of poverty and violence await her. Elizabeth is determined to help her, but few people will employ an ex-prostitute from prison.

In desperation, Elizabeth writes to Charles Dickens for advice.Based on the real correspondence between Elizabeth Gaskell and Charles Dickens, Elizabeth and Ruth tells a story of hypocrisy and suppression, and how Elizabeth navigates the censorship and prejudice of the day to help the young girl and to write the novel about her that will ultimately be banned and burned after publication.

About the Author:

Livi Michael has written novels for adults, young adults and children. Her twentieth novel, Reservoir, was published in March 2023 by Salt, and her 21st novel, Elizabeth and Ruth will be published by Salt in 2026. Her short stories have been published in various places including Granta, The Lonely Crowd and the Manchester Review, and have been long listed for the BBC National Short Story Award. Her play, Singers Not Sinners about the first three women who were allowed to sing in a choir (Oldham 1701) was performed in Oldham in 2022.

Livi has taught creative writing in various universities and for the Arvon foundation, and was Programme Leader of the MA in Publishing at Manchester Metropolitan University. She currently runs a podcast about short stories with the writer and translator Sonya Moor.

If you cannot make the event but would like a dedicated copy of the book, please email events.manchester@blackwell.co.uk or call us on 0161 274 3331.

Our event format is usually a 45 minute discussion between the author and interviewer, followed by a chance for audience members to ask questions. There will be the opportunity to get your book signed/dedicated after the event. Events are a brilliant opportunity to discover new books, meet authors and likeminded readers and learn something new.

Support your local bookshop and help us keep the Manchester literary scene vibrant and exciting. You can follow us on Eventbrite and social media (@BlackwellsMCR) to keep up to date on upcoming events.