Radical Reading Room with Sarah Autumn | 2026
We get together every month to discuss a book from our Radical Reading Room – a library we’ve set up in collaboration with Pluto Press and The Left Book Club. It’s an informal group and everyone is welcome, so pop down and chat about some timely political topics.
Our Nov Book: Frantz Fanon - Wretched of the Earth
Written at the height of the Algerian war for independence from French colonial rule and first published in 1961, Frantz Fanon's Wretched of the Earth has provided inspiration for anti-colonial movements ever since, analysing the role of class, race, national culture and violence in the struggle for freedom. With power and anger, Fanon makes clear the economic and psychological degradation inflicted by imperialism. It was Fanon, himself a psychotherapist, who exposed the connection between colonial war and mental disease, who showed how the fight for freedom must be combined with building a national culture, and who showed the way ahead, through revolutionary violence, to socialism.
'In clear language, in words that can only have been written in the cool heat of rage, he showed us the internal theatre of racism' Deborah Levy
About the author:
Frantz Fanon was a psychiatrist, diplomat, and scholar whose work has had a major influence on the study of colonialism and de-colonialism.
Fanon was born a French citizen on the Caribbean island of Martinique. He fought for France in World War II before training as a psychiatrist in Lyon. In 1953, he moved to Algeria where he witnessed the start of the Algerian Revolution against French colonial rule and later joined the Front de Libération Nationale. He was expelled from the country in 1956 and was forced to move to Tunis. There he continued his work for the resistance struggle and as a psychiatrist before serving as Ambassador to Ghana for the Provisional Algerian Government. He died in Maryland after travelling to the US for leukaemia treatment.
About the facilitator
Sarah Autumn is a Leeds based activist and creative community organiser. She's part of the extended Left bank family and will continue to host the Radical Reading Group in 2026. Sarah will work with Pluto Press, Left Book Club and the Radical Reading group members to select and study each book ahead of the meetups.
Reading Room FAQ’s
How often is the reading room?
There is a Radical Reading Room at Left Bank every 4-6 weeks. Every group is held on the last Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm as part of our Culture Club. The group is held in the main Left Bank space or in one of the caravans outside when the evenings are lighter and warmer.
What time is the reading room?
The reading room starts at 6.30pm.
Between 6.30-6.45 you will have time to arrive, get a drink and acquaint yourself with the group. We wrap up by 8pm.
How much does the Reading Room cost?
The Radical Reading Group is free to attend with a pay as you feel donation option.
There will always be at least one copy of the book available in the library to borrow.
If you do wish to buy the book from Pluto Press, you will receive a 40% discount code. To get the code, please email sarahaautumn@gmail.com once you have booked your ticket.
Do I have to read the whole book?
Whilst you may find the reading group more enjoyable if you have read the book, it isn’t essential. You can come along to listen and learn about the book or discuss the broader ideas within the book. Sarah will highlight passages and quotes to discuss. You will also receive some information about the book and author in your reminder email.
Can I suggest a book?
Yes! We would love to hear your suggestions. It is worth keeping in mind though that this reading group is in collaboration with Pluto Press and Left Book Club so it does need to be a book within one of those two catalogues. Fortunately that gives you lots of awesome books to choose from.
Can I borrow other books from the Library?
YES! The Radical Reading Room Library at Left Bank is available for all!
