Based on real events that occurred in and around the High Beach Asylum, Epping Forest in 1840, The Quickening Maze centres on the life of the great nature poet John Clare. Historically accurate, but creatively imagined, the closed world of High Beach and its various inmates - the doctor, his lonely daughter in love with Alfred Tennyson, the brutish staff and John Clare himself are brought vividly to life in this compelling tale. In this talk Adam Foulds discusses his Man Booker prize short-listed book, The Quickening Maze, and explores John Clare’s hope of home, redemption and escape.