A Drink with The Idler | Geoff Dyer on Postwar Britain

£7.50

Join “A Drink with the Idler” as we chat to the celebrated writer Geoff Dyer

Geoff will be discussing what it means to have come of age in England during the 60s and 70s, as the country was rapidly accelerating toward change and shaking off the aftermath of the Second World War.

In his memoir Homework, Geoff Dyer describes his childhood in the sixties and his adolescence in the seventies. From football cards and Action Man, to a Cheltenham Grammar School, Dyer explores an England that at the same time seems both close at hand, and yet thoroughly gone.

The discussion between Geoff and Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson will be followed by a live Q&A when you will be given the chance to ask Geoff your own questions.

The event will be hosted by Idler Academy director Victoria Hull and the Idler Academy’s Head of Philosophy Dr Mark Vernon will present a short “thought for the week” to get our brains fizzing.

This is an online event. It should be like meeting up in the pub for an interesting conversation. We leave the meeting open at the end so you can carry on chatting.


Geoff Dyer is an award-winning author of four novels and numerous nonfiction books, including Out of Sheer Rage, Yoga for People Who Can’t Be Bothered to Do It, Zona and, most recently, The Last Days of Roger Federer. A fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Science, Dyer lives in Los Angeles, where he is Writer in Residence at the University of Southern California. His books have been translated into twenty-four languages.

Tom Hodgkinson is editor of the Idler and author of the best-selling manuals, How to Be Idle and How to Be Free. Other publications include a book on parenting, the Ukulele Handbook and a manual for creative entrepreneurs, Business for Bohemians.

Dr Mark Vernon is a psychotherapist, writer, broadcaster, and teacher. He presents several Idler Academy online courses. He has a PhD in philosophy, and degrees in theology and physics. His most recent books include The Idler Guide to Ancient Philosophy (Idler Books), Love: All that Matters (Hodder) and Jung: How to Believe (Guardian Shorts) – and he has books on friendship, belief and the good life too. Mark can often be heard on Radio 4’s Moral Maze. He began his professional life as a priest in the Church of England. For more, visit markvernon.com.

Victoria Hull is director of the Idler Academy, producing the Idler’s live and online events and courses.


Testimonials for A Drink with the Idler

Drinks with the Idler have kept me sane.

A fabulous Idler Drinks – thanks Tom, Victoria, Mark and idlers everywhere!

A simple heartfelt “thank you”: I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying Thursday evenings as part of the Idler community. Never has a subscription yielded such brain-nourishing pleasure. 

Short yet so sweet, delightful and interesting… uplifting intelligent conversation. I feel so happy to have stumbled upon the Idler. I bow to you all☺️⭐️

A Drink with the Idler has turned out to be one of our lifelines! Such fun, wonderful commentary by you and the remarkable Mark, not to mention the delightful Victoria. 


Event Details

Date: Thursday 3rd July 2025

Time: 6pm-7pm

Location: Online via Zoom link

Cost: £7.50. Free for Idler members. SUBSCRIBE HERE (from £2.50/month)

How to join A Drink with the Idler: Non subscribers should register by clicking the BUY NOW button above. Subscribers can register by clicking the GET TICKETS button above.

Important

In order for the Idler to send you a link to this event you need to make sure you have signed up for the Idler newsletter here.

Idler Magazine and Idler Academy members will be sent a special registration link ahead of the event.

Latecomers may not be given access