Desire Electric

Viola Di Grado and Priya Guns

6:00pm

Friday, September 29, 2023

60 mins

Journeys of discovery shape two electrifying, propulsive novels, crossing cities and continents, transgressing boundaries of desire and love. Viola Di Grado is one of Italy’s most exciting young authors. In her novel Blue Hunger, a young woman escapes Rome for Shanghai where she embarks on a passionate relationship with a young Chinese girl running from her own troubles. Priya Guns’ satirical debut is a gender-flipped contemporary reboot of Taxi Driver. Your Driver is Waiting sees a ride share driver struggling to survive after the death of her father when a young, rich white girl gets into her car, sending her world spiraling out of control.

Moderated by Natasha Ramoutar.

Presented with support from Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Toronto.

This event will be followed by a book signing.

Conversation

How to attend

$19.99

Single Day Pass

$249.99

Full Festival Pass

Students and youth save up to 50% on passes.

Moderated by Natasha Ramoutar.

Presented with support from Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Toronto.

Istituto Italiano di Cultura Toronto logo

This event will be followed by a book signing.

Conversation

Featured Authors

Viola Di Grado

Viola Di Grado is an Italian novelist whose critically acclaimed books are published in 15 countries. Born in 1987 in Sicily, she earned an MA in East Asian philosophies at the University of London, where she lives. Acclaimed by Garzanti dictionary as “one of the most representative writers of the decade”, she was the youngest writer to be awarded the prestigious Campiello Opera Prima Award. She is also a contributor for many Italian newspapers and a literary translator: she has translated, among others, works by Patricia Highsmith, Anne Boyer, Joyce Carol Oates. Viola Di Grado’s Festival appearance is generously supported by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Toronto.