In 2016 the UK ranked 189 out of 218 nations for biodiversity. Isabella Tree brings the good news: the rewilding of the Knepp Estate in West Sussex, the restoration of nature, and the stunning recovery of flora and fauna.

‘one of England’s largest ever –3,500 acre – “amateur” experiments’ The Sunday Times

‘moments of lyricism and revelation’ Guardian

‘Brilliantly researched and scripted, this riveting and powerful book will revolutionise farming and nature conservation.’ Times Nature Notebook writer Matthew Oates

‘The remarkable story of an astounding transformation’ George Monbiot

Isabella Tree is an award-winning author, travel writer, and manager of the Knepp Wildland Project, together with her husband Charlie Burrell. She is the author of several books, including The Living Goddess and The Bird Man.

INTERVAL

Amanda Craig and Melissa Harrison in a chaired discussion on their state of the nation novels set in the present and in 1934 respectively.

Praise for The Lie Of The Land:
‘Craig is at the top of her game in the sweep of her storytelling, the richness of her characters, her black comedy, irony and commitment’ Helen Dunmore

‘old pop stars, failed poets, casual racists – are perfectly drawn…a social satire, a family drama and, yes, a mystery’ Antony Horowitz

‘Terrific, page-turning, slyly funny’ India Knight

‘in the vanguard of the Brexit novel’ Guardian

Praise for All Among The Barley:
‘an acutely observed narrative that is as pertinent to the here and now as it is evocative of its time and place’ Mail on Sunday

‘What will surely turn out to be one of the books of the year’ New European

‘a very seductive vision of bucolic England which then turns on itself’ BBC Radio 4 Saturday Review

‘A novel of acute psychology and subtle political sense’ TLS

Amanda Craig contributes to the Telegraph, Sunday Times, Daily Mail, and Observer. As a journalist, aspects of the contemporary world have fed into her fiction. As the children’s critic for the Times she was early to spot JK Rowling and Philip Pullman. Her seven novels include A Vicious Circle, In a Dark Wood and Hearts and Minds (long listed Bailey’s Women’s Prize).
Melissa Harrison is a nature writer, critic and columnist for the Times, Financial Times and Guardian. She is the author of the novels Clay and At Hawthorn Time (short listed for the Bailey’s Women’s Prize) and non-fiction Rain (long listed Wainwright Prize).

This afternoon is sponsored by The BRI Science and Technology for the food and drink industry Tel: 01737 822272 www.campdenbri.co.uk