The CAALS Bauder Lecture with Marlon James

Marlon James, winner of the 2015 Man Booker Prize, will deliver the 2026 Bauder Lecture.

We are thrilled to welcome Marlon James to the Marygrove Conservancy’s Contemporary American Authors Lecture Series (CAALS) as the featured speaker for the Bauder Lecture on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The event is free - a is recomended.

Marlon James is a critically acclaimed Jamaican author whose work blends rich storytelling, historical insight, and imaginative scope. He is the recipient of the 2015 Man Booker Prize for his novel A Brief History of Seven Killings, which was hailed for its epic narrative and unflinching exploration of Jamaica’s history. His other novels, including Black Leopard, Red Wolf and Moon Witch, Spider King, have cemented his reputation as a master of contemporary literature, known for his bold narratives, complex characters, and lyrical prose.

James’s writing traverses genres—from historical fiction to fantasy—while always illuminating profound questions of identity, power, and human experience. His work has garnered international recognition and has been celebrated for its fearless creativity and depth.

Join us for an inspiring evening as Marlon James shares his insights, experiences, and reflections on the craft of writing as part of this signature Marygrove Conservancy lecture series.

This event is made possible by major sponsors, including the Lillian and Don Bauder Endowment, The Kresge Foundation, the Mary Helen Washington Endowment and Detroit PBS.

We hope this guide provides an inviting introduction to Marlon James’ work. Within this guide, we’ve included an author biography, book summaries and discussion questions, reviews and interviews, as well as a sourcing guide on the last page.

ACCESSIBILITY:

The Marygrove Conservancy is committed to ensuring that its programs, facilities, and communications are accessible to individuals of all abilities. We strive to create environments that support full and meaningful participation for people with disabilities.

The Marygrove Conservancy works to identify, reduce, and eliminate barriers to access across its campus and programming. Reasonable accommodations are provided upon request to support participation in public programs, events, and services.

Accessibility is an ongoing priority integrated into organizational planning, program design, and community engagement. The Marygrove Conservancy actively seeks feedback from participants and partners to inform continuous improvement and ensure responsiveness to community needs.

Participants are encouraged to request reasonable accommodations or accessibility supports in advance to ensure full participation. To requuest support, please reach out to Turkessa Baldridge at [email protected] or 888-213-4832 Ex 4.

Info: The CAALS Lecture will feature an evening with acclaimed author Marlon James, including a reading from his work followed by a moderated conversation with Dr. Anwar Uhuru. Together, they will explore themes from James’s writing and engage in dialogue on literature, culture, and contemporary issues.

Info: Following the reading and conversation, members of the audience will be invited to participate in a Q&A session.

Info: After the reading and conversation, James will join attendees for a book signing. Copies of his books will be available for purchase on site. Guests may bring their own books.

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