Tower and Town, September 2025 (view the full edition)Debut authors - Alice Chadwick and Tuyen Do
Alice Chadwick makes her debut with Dark Like Under, a hauntingly beautiful novel set in a 1980s close-knit rural community. At its heart is the story of a woman who returns to the village she once called home, only to find the past has a quiet but persistent way of resurfacing. Chadwick guides us into hidden lives and concealed histories through precise and thought-provoking prose. Expect a compelling exploration of community, memory, and the bonds that shape us, all underscored by a true appreciation of place and character. Also showcased at this year's festival is Tuyen Do, whose novel Summer Rolls was the first British-Vietnamese play to be staged in the UK and has now been adapted into her debut novel. Drawing on her heritage, Do explores themes of identity, belonging, intergenerational conflict, and the immigrant experience through the story of a Vietnamese family living in 1980s London. Do's storytelling is infused with warmth and authenticity and promises readers an emotional human journey in a beautifully created setting. Both authors, though offering very different narratives, share a remarkable ability to bring their characters vividly to life. Chadwick's subtle suspense and Do's heartfelt warmth complement each other well, and this debut event promises a memorable literary introduction to two writers whose talents deserve to be celebrated. Alice Chadwick and Tuyen Do will be talking to writer and translator Daniel Hahn in St Peter's Church at 11.30am on Sunday 28 September. Alic Padfield |
