Ian McEwan, who lived in Oxford for many years, will be back in the city in September to discuss his new book The Children Act.

An audience at April’s Oxford Literary Festival was given a preview of the plot, which centres on a boy whose dire medical condition triggers a moral and emotional dilemma for the female judge who must decide his case The boy’s parents are refusing treatment because of their religious beliefs.

McEwan is no stranger to controversy and has written in support of euthanasia since he tackled the issue in his novel Amsterdam, which won the Booker prize. In April’s talk at the Sheldonian, McEwan described the denial of medical help on religious grounds “utterly perverse and inhumane”, claiming that religion is “distinctly unhelpful” in making rational choices.

Citing cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses and Catholics, McEwan praised the 1989 Children’s Act, which enshrines the child’s welfare as the “paramount consideration” in any court ruling, calling it a “remarkable and civilised piece of legislation”.

The author will be at the Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street, on Thursday, September 4. Tickets £5, are available from Waterstones. For details, call 01865 790212.