Rory Stewart and James Acaster join Edinburgh line-up

Tory MP Rory Stewart and comedian James Acaster will join the line-up for the 2019 Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Former Tory leadership hopeful Stewart will discuss what Brexit Britain can learn from the world of literature on Monday 26th August with Guardian chief culture writer Charlotte Higgins. Acaster (pictured) will introduce his memoir Perfect Sound Whatever (Headline) on Wednesday 21st August with stand-up poet Rob Auton. 

The festival will also celebrate the life and work of the writer and illustrator Judith Kerr. Author and critic Daniel Hahn will be joined by literary agent Lindsey Fraser and illustrators Eilidh Muldoon, Catherine Rayner, Tom Morgan-Jones and Kate Leiper for a heartfelt tribute to Kerr and her work on Tuesday 20th August.

To mark the 300th anniversary of Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, a new BBC television series to be broadcast this autumn will explore 'The Novels that Shaped Our World'.  Ahead of the series, BBC Radio 2’s Book Club will be asking guests to discuss their favourites, from the established classics to the popular contemporary hits. Stig Abell, journalist and editor of the Times Literary Supplement, will be joined by novelists Alexander McCall Smith and Kit de Waal in a special event chaired by producer and radio presenter Joe Haddow on Friday 9th August.

Tickets for all four events are now available through the Book Festival website, by phone 0345 373 5888 or in person at the Box Office at The Hub, Castlehill. This year's festival runs from 10th to 26th August.