Left Bank Books, in downtown Belfast, invites the public to a free talk and book signing by the internationally acclaimed author Simon Van Booy, author of more than a dozen books including, most recently, Sipsworth. The event will take place on Saturday, June 21, at 6:30 p.m., at The First Church in Belfast, located across the street from the bookshop. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Sipsworth, which has captivated readers around the world, according to Left Bank, in a news release, tells the story of Helen Cartwright, an elderly widow who has lost her husband and son. Her only wish is to die quickly and without fuss. She retreats to her home in a small town in England where, on a cold winter night, she has a chance encounter with a mouse that eventually propels Helen on a surprising journey and ultimately gives her a reason to live.

"Van Booy’s novel is a reminder that there can be second chances," said the release. "With profound compassion, Sipsworth illuminates not only a deep friendship forged between two lonely creatures, but the reverberations of goodness that ripple out from that unique bond."

Other best-selling novels by Van Booy include The Presence of Absence and Night Came with Many Stars. He is the editor of three volumes of philosophy and has written for the Times, the Financial Times, the Guardian, the Telegraph, the Washington Post, and the BBC. His novels and short stories have been translated into many languages. Raised in rural North Wales, Van Booy currently lives between London and New York, where he is also a book editor and volunteer EMT crew chief for the Central Park Medical Unit. In early 2020, he rescued his first mouse.

Reservations for the event can be made by calling 207.338.9009 or emailing: info@leftbankbookshop.com. Ample free parking is available in front of the shop and in an adjacent city lot.