News and Tour Dates

Coming soon – The Courtesan and the Samurai

14 September 2009

Japan, 1868: the last shogun has been defeated, the age of the emperors is about to begin – and in Japan’s frozen north a diehard band of loyalists plans a desperate last stand.
Hana is just seventeen when her husband goes to war, leaving her alone and very vulnerable. When enemy soldiers attack her house she [...]

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The Last Concubine – Second German Tour spring 2009

23 March 2009

Wednesday, April 15th - BERLIN
18.00
Illustrated lecture: The Last Concubine: Secrets of the Women’s Palace
At the centre of the German-Japanese Society of Berlin,
Deutsch-Japanisches Zentrum Berlin,
Saargemünder Str. 2
Thursday, April 16th – HAMBURG
19.00
Reading: The Last Concubine
Shiawase Japanisches Restaurant
Jungfernstieg 7
Hamburg
Friday, April 17th BIELEFELD
19.00
Illustrated lecture: The Last Concubine: Secrets of the Women’s Palace
At the museum of Huelsmann, Remise
Ravensberger Park [...]

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Forthcoming book presentation – Japan Through Writers’ Eyes at Asia House

9 March 2009

Asia House Presents
Japan Through Writers’ Eyes
Thursday 19 March 6.45pm
How does one begin to understand the enigma that is Japan?
Four Japan specialists will celebrate Eland’s new book, Japan Through Writers’ Eyes, edited by journalist and former Tokyo resident Elizabeth Ingrams. She will be joined by three travel specialists: Lesley Downer, author of a novel, The Last [...]

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Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2009

11 February 2009

Many congratulations to Julia Gregson who won the romantic novel of the year award 2009 for her wonderful novel East of the Sun. I was honoured to be nominated for the shortlist and much enjoyed meeting my fellow shortlisters Cecelia Ahern, Linda Gillard, Susanna Kearsley and Judith Lennox. The competition, the award and [...]

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The Last Concubine available in paperback

6 February 2009

The Last Concubine comes out in paperback on February 12th 2009.

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

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The Last Concubine shortlisted for Romantic Novel of the Year

14 January 2009

Romantic Novel of the Year
Bestselling author Cecelia Ahern is one of the six authors shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year 2009, which is organised by the Romantic Novelists’ Association. The final six novels are currently being read by a panel of three judges, who will select the winner in time for the [...]

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Oxford University Japan Society talk on 18 November, 2008

8 November 2008

Tuesday November 18th
7 pm
Oxford University Japan Society
Oriel College, Oxford
Illustrated lecture on The Last Concubine: Secrets of the Women’s Palace
Free for members, £1.50 for non-members

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Canadian paperback edition of The Last Concubine

8 November 2008

Lesley Downer is featured author on the Canadian Penguin Book Club website.

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German interviews with Lesley Downer

7 October 2008

There are two German language interviews with Lesley Downer online at BYM.de and NDRKultur.de, which also includes a radio interview available as an audio podcast.

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