By Ben Fractenberg
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
CHELSEA — The PEN World Festival of International Literature is set to begin Monday night at Chelsea Piers, bringing 100 writers from over 40 countries to Manhattan.
The festival, which runs through May 1, includes a series of panel discussions and readings by famous authors throughout the city.
Malcolm Gladwell, Salman Rushdie and Rick Moody, among other well-known writers, are all set to speak on topics ranging from David Foster Wallace to Middle East revolutionaries.
"At PEN World Voices, New Yorkers have the chance to hear from writers from every corner of the globe," said festival chair Salman Rushdie in a written statement. "What becomes clear is that the role of the intellectual varies tremendously from country to country."
Tuesday will feature a discussion by Moody, Sandro Veronesi, Michael Pietsch, and others about Wallace's "The Pale King." The event starts at 7:30 p.m. and takes place at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral Gymnasium at 268 Mulberry St.
Opening night is sold out, but tickets for the remaining events are available online.
