Lavinia Greenlaw and a panel of speakers respond to Robert Graves's autobiography in which he writes of his "bitter leave-taking of England" not only referring to WW1, but the questions it raised.

The poet, novelist and classicist Robert Graves fought at the Battle of the Somme alongside his close friend and fellow soldier-poet Siegfried Sassoon. Among the most celebrated writers to emerge from the conflict, his autobiography ‘Goodbye to All That’, which he described as a ‘bitter leave-taking of England’, depicts the horror of war and documents the momentous social changes it brought about.

Lavinia Greenlaw, one of Britain’s most eminent poets and respected literary figures, invites writers from countries involved in the First World War to respond to the title of Robert Graves’ famous book. Each take the poignant phrase ‘Goodbye to All That’ as a starting point for a personal reflection on the aftermath of war, as well as on the continuing struggle for artistic freedom in the face of conflict in all its forms.

In readings and conversation: Ales Steger, Ali Smith, Daniel Kehlmann, Erwin Mortier, Kamila Shamsie and Xiaolu Guo reflect on the loss and discovery of literary innocence and ideals, the question of artistic freedom and the freedoms that have informed their own artistic lives.