At the heart of the three-day exhibition Manchestermodern: past present future, curated by Factory International and CHAOS SixtyNine with the support of CHANEL, a special edition of the Rendez-vous littéraires rue Cambon [Literary Rendezvous at Rue Cambon] was held at the Victoria Baths in Manchester.In conversation with writer and critic Erica Wagner, author Jeanette Winterson, CHANEL ambassador and spokesperson Charlotte Casiraghi along with actress and CHANEL ambassador Kristen Stewart reveal what constitutes, according to them, the powers of literature. Together, they also talk about the books that are dear to them and the female literary figures who inspire them.