Comments by event organisers

13087318_1110192502356763_3734757669196063711_nShrewsbury Literary festival
‘The most brilliant, inspirational speaker  – what a life she has had. Some people are extraordinary – drove home feeling exceedingly humble.’
– Norma Gregson

Wandsworth Society
‘A really thrilling evening  – I  feel very privileged to have heard you. You gave us a really humbling account of your life’s work and experiences, and the brilliant use you have made of them in your books.’
– Wendy Cater

Glasgow Women’s Library, Scotland
Inspirational … Absolutely fascinating just listening to Marion talking about her life and work… Excellent speaker, drew you in … Inspired good questions and dialogue.’
– Wendy Kirk & participants

Neston Library, Cheshire
‘Everyone really enjoyed the evening. They loved the reading and hearing about her writing. They were really impressed by her friendliness and the ease which with she spoke to the group. Most people are used to being talked at by an author and not having a conversation.’
– Susannah Hill

Balham Library, London
‘Excellent! I have had so much positive feedback.’
– Sucheta Samant
‘She held the audience fantastically.’
– Alexander Martin

Wells Literary Festival
‘An entrancing talk – very different, very engaging and very much appreciated by all present. It led to much discussion afterwards. The bookstall sold out!’
– Peter Crossley

Shrewsbury, writers’ workshop
‘Superbly facilitated and energising.’
– Angela Wagstaff
‘A very thought-provoking experience. I feel a renewed connection with what I want to write.’
– Carol Caffrey

Harwich Festival, Essex
A wonderful talk about her life and books.  A real sense of intimacy – people could really say whatever they wanted to say.
– Diana Burrell

Abingdon Book Group, Oxfordshire
‘It was a privilege to have Marion with us.She is a very special woman with such a depth of life experience across the world.’
– Cliff Marshall

Refugee week, Islington, London
‘Marion’s talk was very topical – sharing her own experience and raising some of the problems that refugees and asylum seekers face when they come to a new country. The 200+ people present were very happy with it.’
– Kassa Tsegaye

Beverley Literature Festival, Yorkshire
‘A wonderful hour and insight into Marion’s fascinating life – really well received by our audience.’
– Christina Lewis

Mayfair library,  London
‘A great evening – really interesting, enjoyable and inspiring. A comment from one of the audience – ‘I thought last night was fabulous. What an inspirational person Marion is.’
– Katrina Blench

Winchelsea Literary Society
‘Marion Molteno’s talk on ‘A Sense of Place’  was engaging and fascinating, drawing us into three very different worlds through  vivid and evocative prose extracts taken from her novels.’
– Maddy Coelho

Salisbury, National Women’s Register conference
‘Such a relaxed yet stimulating manner … Presented some very serious ideas, together with lots of humour, in a way that captured the attention of the delegates and set some interesting challenges.’
– Lisa Conway

Penzance Literature Festival
‘The basement bar at the Acorn  … With the lights up it might look like a gone-to-seed speakeasy, but put an audience and the right sort of speaker in there and it generates a special intimacy. Marion is definitely the right sort of speaker, totally open to the emotional possibilities of talking honestly and unreservedly about her books. Both times she’s spoken in that basement there have been unplanned moments of strange magic when I’m pretty sure everyone in the room could feel the electricity in the air.’
– Tim Hannigan

Gloucestershire Federation of Women’s Institutes
‘Very interesting and uplifting. Marion spoke well and clearly about her years of experience working for Save the Children.’
– Maggie Vinson

Re-launch of ‘If you can walk, you can dance’ – Battersea, London
‘Such a wonderful event  – enjoyed it immensely, especially the Zulu music and the spell-binding rendition of passages from your book by Paterson Joseph. What a treat! And what a joyful atmosphere.’
– Tabinda Jalil Burney
‘A great evening. There was a feeling of connectedness, a sense of belonging! And the music added a brilliant dynamic.’
– Doreen Siame

School of Oriental & African Studies, London
‘Inspiring evening – excellent panel’ – Farha Noor
‘Brilliant evening. The mbira playing was wonderful’ – Carolyn Miller

Wenlock Poetry Festival, Shropshire
‘A fascinating talk. Marion is a wonderful communicator and held us all enthralled.’
– Carol Caffrey Witherow

Royal Asiatic Society, London
Launch of The Famous Ghalib:
‘I thought it was a wonderful evening and I am enjoying the book thoroughly.’
– Mahmood Jamal
Launch of A Thousand Yearnings:
‘I loved the talk and will definitely try and read more about Urdu literature.’
– Ankita Saxena

Self-publishing Conference, Leicester
‘Immensely helpful. Marion’s session was one of the highlights of the day for me.’
– David Evered, participant

Conference on Third World Women, Cheshire
‘Marion embraced the theme of the conference wonderfully and I for one have learnt a great deal. She has led such an interesting life (although traumatic at times) and the insight she gave into the lives of others was thought provoking.’
– Jill Lucas

Conference on Commonwealth literature, Paris
‘I truly admire her ability to connect with listeners and engage them in stories of her own adventures, which then inspire us to want to read her novels.’
– Anne de Wint, University of Marne le Vallee

Saffron Walden Literary Festival, Essex
‘An inspirational creative writing workshop leader. She understands precisely how she herself writes and can communicate this clearly, dispelling all daunting mystery about the process. In her workshops she gives participants the confidence to tell their own stories with confidence.’
– Jo Burch

Putney Library, London
‘Very successful. People were enlightened about aid workers  and the journey they take, which could be so dangerous.’
– Jean Stanley 

Miranda House, University of Delhi
‘Students were deeply impressed by Marion’s recounting her trials as a writer – and the inventiveness and verve with which she met those challenges. Her account was received with laughter and admiration as well as with several questions about the nature of writing.’
– Ira Singh

Kings Lynn Literary Festival, Norfolk
‘A very popular reader and speaker with our audiences.’
– Joan Evans

Swindon Literature Festival, Wiltshire
‘She generated that feel-good factor where authors interact with readers.’
– Matt Holland

Wandsworth Welcomes Refugees
[interviewing Afghan refugee Shabibi Shah]
‘It was fantastic meeting you both – such inspirational women. Now I look forward to reading your books.’ – Delia Fitzsimmons
‘Was fascinating to hear you both. My girls have been telling their friends about your journey over the mountains, Shabibi.’
– Nichole Beauchamp

Kingston Readers Festival, London
‘A very moving talk.’
– Sandy Williams

St Ives Library, Cornwall
‘Very well received and a lively discussion.’
– Jane Dews

Harley Readers & Writers, Shropshire
‘We have received glowing feedback from so many people. They so enjoyed listening to you.’
– Jo Jackson

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