The Two Roberts: Damian Barr in Conversation with James Cahill

About this event

Award-winning writer Damian Barr visits Foyles to celebrate the paperback release of his newest book 'The Two Roberts' with James Cahill. Scotland, 1933. Bobby MacBryde is off to the Glasgow School of Art, to his future. On his first day he will meet another Robert, a quiet man with loose dark curls – and never leave his side. With the world on the brink of war, their unrivalled talent takes them all over Europe, partying, loving, fighting, painting. In Soho, they become stars as the bombs fall. Based on a true story, The Two Roberts is a stunningly imagined tale of devotion and obsession, art and class. It’s a love letter to two almost forgotten artists who fought to change the way the world sees – and paid a devastating price. Damian Barr is an award-winning writer, broadcaster and journalist. His memoir Maggie & Me, won Stonewall Writer of the Year and Sunday Times Memoir of the Year. His debut novel, You Wil Be Safe Here, was shortlisted for six major awards and named a Book of the Year in the Observer, Guardian and Mail. He has written columns for The Times and Sunday Times and hosted Front Row on BBC Radio 4 as well as his own series Guide Books. In 2019, Damian brought books back to television with the Big Scottish Book Club, now in its sixth series and syndicated internationally. Also on BBC TV, he presented Shelf Isolation and the landmark documentary for Sir Walter Scott’s 250th. Damian holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Lancaster University and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. His world-famous Literary Salon ran from 2008 to 2023, celebrating writers from around the world and widening the cultural conversation. He is a trustee of Gladstone’s Library and a campaigner for libraries. He lives in Brighton. Dr James Cahill is an author, critic and art historian. His latest book, The Beverly Hills Housewife: Hockney ’ s Californian Muse and the World Beyond the Pool , will be published worldwide by Thames & Hudson in autumn 2026. He is the author of two acclaimed novels, Tiepolo Blue (2022) and The Violet Hour (2026), and he contributes to publications including Artforum , the Financial Times , the Los Angeles Times , the Spectator and the Times Literary Supplement . He is based between London and Los Angeles. The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. Tickets: £10 General Admission, £8 Foyalty Member / £22 Book and Ticket, inc. a copy of T he Two Roberts (RRP £18.99) Venue : The Auditorium (Level 6) at Foyles, 107 Charing Cross Road*