Max Porter

“Shy” is a novel about imagination, guilt and boyhood. It is about being lost in the dark, and realising you are not alone. 

Five years ago, multi-award-winning author Max Porter treated our Stroud audiences to a spell-binding event based on his book, “Lanny”. 

So we are thrilled that Max is returning to Stroud Book Festival to bring his latest book, “Shy”, to life in an unmissable audio and literary ‘bombardment’. 

“Shy” journeys into the mind of a troubled teenager in 1995, who wanders into the night with voices in his head – his teachers, his parents, the people he has hurt and the people who are trying to love him – and realises he isn't alone. 

Max will perform a dramatised reading from “Shy”, with a drum ’n’ bass & jungle accompaniment from DJ Junglecast. 

Post-performance, we’ll bring you a short in-conversation with Max about the inspirations behind this extraordinary novel.