‘Kick the Latch’ with Kathryn Scanlan
Thu 29 Jun 2023
7:00pm at Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights, 14-15 John St, Bath, BA1 2JL
Book + Ticket gives you a free ticket with a copy of the book, all tickets include 15% off any books purchased on the night, a glass of wine, author interview, Q&A and signing.
Other ways to book:
Email books@mrbsemporium.com, call 01225 331155 or pop into the shop at 14-15 John Street, Bath. BA1 2JL.
We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Kathryn Scanlan to Mr B’s to discuss her brilliant novel, Kick The Latch.
Every now and then, a book comes along that really captures the imagination of the Mr B’s team – in 2023 that book has been Kick The Latch. This amazing novel, about one woman’s extraordinary life as a horse trainer, has been passed around from bookseller to bookseller, and been loved by us all. No doubt you have had it foisted upon you if you’ve been into the shop in the past couple of months! We can’t wait to hear Kathryn talk about this uniquely brilliant novel at what is sure to be a real treat of an event.
About the Book:
Based on transcribed interviews with Sonia, a horse trainer, Kathryn Scanlan’s Kick The Latch vividly captures the arc of one woman’s life at the racetrack – the flat land and ramshackle backstretch; the bad feelings and friction; the winner’s circle and the racetrack bar; the fancy suits and fancy boots; and the ‘particular language’ of ‘grooms, jockeys, trainers, racing secretaries, stewards, pony people, hotwalkers, everybody’ – with economy and integrity.
‘This extraordinary novel is unsentimental and humane.’ Guardian
‘One of the must reads of the year.’ Radio 4, Open Book
‘A chiselled little gem . . . about a horse trainer called Sonia and told in her unforgettably downbeat voice. Such poise and economy – I can’t remember a novel about work that’s impressed me so.’ Tim Winton
‘With this book, Kathryn Scanlan is telling us three things: life is short, it’s worth paying attention, and she’s one hell of a writer.’ Jon McGregor