Marina Warner

Marina Warner is a writer of fiction, criticism and history; her works include novels and short stories as well as studies of art, myths, symbols and fairytales.
“My critical and historical books and essays explore different figures in myth and fairy tale, such as the Virgin Mary and Joan of Arc; more recently I have concentrated on fairy tales, including the Arabian Nights. I also write novels and short stories, often drawing on mythic or other imaginary predecessors to translate them into contemporary significance – to re-vision them.

Stories come from the past but speak to the present, and I have found that I need to write stories as well as deconstruct them and place them in historical contexts, because I myself love reading works of imagination, and I would like to join the conversation with admired predecessors, who range from Apuleius to Virginia Woolf, Italo Calvino, and Angela Carter.”

Recent Diary Entries

17 April 2026, discussing ‘Sanctuary’, Barnsbury Book Festival, 3.30 – 4.30pm

12/03/26

Marina Warner’s numerous books, stories and essays explore myth, storytelling, history and society. In Sanctuary she investigates ideas of refuge, hospitality and belonging, and how storytelling helps people endure and understand crisis. She will be di …

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30 March 2026, EXPeditions Book Club #2, 7-8pm (online)

12/03/26

​Marina Warner will join us and answer your questions about her latest book SANCTUARY, in conversation with Lisa Appignanesi. ​Sanctuary is an ancient right. It both promises and is a haven.  It is a place of refuge and of freedom from harm. ​With bril …

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19 February 2026, Marina introduces Dr Soody Gholami’s ‘Unhomely England in Post-Imperial British Novels’

12/02/26

Next Thursday evening, join the book launch of Unhomely England in Post-Imperial British Novels by Dr Soody Gholami, which will be introduced by Marina. The event is from 6-8pm, and is taking place at Birkbeck Central (Malet St, London WC1E 7HY). Soody …

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Latest Publications