An Afternoon with local author Matt Graydon

Join us at Oxted Library for an afternoon with local author Matt Graydon as he talks about his book Leaving Fatherland.

About Leaving Fatherland:

Matt Graydon’s Leaving Fatherland is a poignant tale of discovering one’s true identity. Providing a unique take on what it was like to be in the Luftwaffe during the Second World War, Leaving Fatherland follows book-loving protagonist Oskar from his abusive childhood in Nazi Germany through a war, a failed marriage, and forty years of research, as he seeks out the real reason why his father beat him as a child.

This gripping story portrays a tapestry of characters who straddle both sides of the conflict, highlighting the uncomfortable truth that we are often driven by our parents’ wishes, rather than our own. With scenes based on the real life experiences of his German uncle, Leaving Fatherland is inspired by Graydon’s meticulous research into the complexities of the war.

His uncle’s wartime crash in the North African desert, which had become family legend but ultimately remained a mystery for many years, is graphically described in the book. The opportunity to uncover his relative’s rich history revealed details that informed this deeply impactful novel, now destined to become a staple on all history lover’s bookshelves.

Author Bio:

Matt Graydon has loved writing since childhood. In his early career he trained and then worked as a journalist for local and national newspapers, developing research skills that proved vital in his historical fiction writing. He later worked as a senior public relations executive for major corporations in a global context, interacting with people from many cultures around the world. In recent years he rekindled his love of creative writing, attending expert writing courses by Faber and others to develop his craft. He is an active member of the UK’s Society of Authors and belongs to the Phoenix Writing Group in Dorking. He has had both poetry and short stories published, most recently Saigo No Tatakai, an account of a kamikaze attack in the Second World War told from both sides.

Matt lives in Surrey, with his wife, adult children and an unruly cockapoo. When not writing, he spends as much time as possible outside gardening, or engaging in astronomy and photography.

Key information about booking:

• The event starts at 3pm
• The event is suitable for adults
• Tickets are £3 per person.
• Please buy a ticket for each person attending.
• Booking is essential, so be quick to avoid disappointment
• Please arrive 10 minutes early
• Books will be available to purchase on the day.

If you have any additional needs or require any special assistance, please let us know prior to the event by contacting library.events@surreycc.gov.uk (this inbox is managed Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

If you are not able to or do not wish to provide us with any contact details (landline or mobile number and email address) you won’t be able to purchase a ticket online. Please visit the library that is hosting the event to purchase a ticket in person.