ANDREW FFRENCH looks ahead to the most controversial event of this year’s Oxford Literary Festival – the launch of Philip Pullman’s new book.

LAST weekend, Oxford author Philip Pullman joined Malorie Blackman and Frances Hardinge to discuss what fantasy tells us about reality for an audience of young readers.

It was one of several engagements for the 63-year-old at this year’s Oxford Literary Festival and it’s certainly been a very busy week for the author of the His Dark Materials trilogy.

On Sunday, Mr Pullman will address about 700 people at Oxford University’s Sheldonian Theatre, and talk about his new book The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ.

The title of the book alone has been enough to make some Christians choke on their cornflakes, while others have felt compelled to write to the author explaining to him that he would be “burnt in hell for eternity” for writing the latest offering in the Canongate Myths series.

But Mr Pullman is used to such abuse – the Catholic Church claimed in 2007 that his critically-acclaimed trilogy was an indirect attack on the Papacy.

When The Guide spoke to Mr Pullman earlier this week, he brushed off the threatening letters, explaining he had been receiving such missives for “donkeys’ years”.

And he made it clear that the discussion surrounding the possibility of special security being set up at the Sheldonian Theatre was an unwanted distraction.

The writer said he hoped his talk would be a normal festival occasion, so it will be fascinating to see how he arrives at the venue, and whether he hangs around afterwards to chat to fans or sign copies of his books.

Mr Pullman says his new book is “a story about Jesus told by me from a different point of view”, but has been careful not to completely undermine the suspense before publication.

Publishers Canongate have kept the book under wraps, refusing to send out the usual review copies in advance of the author’s talk.

Mr Pullman has said he is “not afraid of people with banners”, but he must be hoping his talk on Sunday is not seriously disrupted by protesters.

Leslee Holderness, a spokesman for the Oxford Literary Festival, said: “Controversial or not, the festival is delighted to be hosting the talk and the launch of Philip Pullman’s new book.

“He has been a major part of this festival for many years and we hope that will continue.”

This year, literary luminaries from across the country have booked in to The Randolph or The Old Bank to prepare for their appearances at Christ Church, or at other venues across the city.

On Sunday, I spotted Lord Bragg arriving at Oxford railway station, perhaps reminding people of his roots, and half the fun of festival week is seeing how many stars you can spot.

I was convinced I saw Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson dressed in a leather jacket outside the marquee in Christ Church Gardens.

But when I looked more closely, I could see he was the owner of a bike – definitely a case of mistaken identity.

There is little chance of Mr Pullman arriving in disguise at the Sheldonian on Sunday but what’s guaranteed is a fascinating talk.

Like balloonist Lee Scoresby in Once Upon a Time in the North, Mr Pullman is never afraid to shoot from the hip.

But the author has put his head above the parapet by revisiting the story of Jesus, and may be targeted by extremists as a result.

Fans of Mr Pullman’s stories are hoping that he continues to write The Book of Dust, a prequel to His Dark Materials, once all the the fuss has died down.

Philip Pullman talks about The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ at noon at the Sheldonian Theatre on Sunday.

For information, visit oxfordliterary festival.com