City Lit evening reading group
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- Start Date: 22 Sep 2025End Date: 06 Jul 2026Mon (Evening): 19:00 - 20:30OnlineFull fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £123.00
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What is the course about?
This is not so much a course as a forum for the group to share and discuss in greater depth our reactions to and analysis of a selection of contemporary novels - written in English and available in paperback. Please come to the first session with suggestions (contemporary literary fiction in paperback) and having read 'The Wren, The Wren' by Anne Enright.
'The Wren, The Wren' was longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2024, was winner of the Writers' Prize for 2024 and named the Book of the Year for The New Yorker and Washington Post. 'One of the great living writers on the subject of family.' - New York Times.
What will we cover?
A range of contemporary fiction, written in English. During the session we will discuss the novel in question by considering various aspects such as theme, plot, characters, etc. We will also discuss how successful we think the author has been in the particular work.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- read books you might not have considered before
- focus on key points when discussing a literary work
- express your opinion clearly.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous knowledge or experience of literature is necessary. However, learners will, ideally, have the following skills and attributes:
An enthusiasm for reading and discussing a range of texts in large and small groups.
A willingness and ability to do some reading and preparation outside the class. You will be expected to read the selected novel for each session.
An interest in, and ability to listen to, the responses of other students to the work discussed.
A commitment to acquiring and developing ways of understanding how the writer uses language to achieve effect.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Each month, the group will select a novel to be read before the following session, when there will be a group discussion on the merits of the book in question.
Dates of the meetings in 2025-6 are 22/9, 20/10, 24/11, 12/1, 16/2, 16/3, 11/5, 8/6, 6/7.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will be expected to obtain a copy of the books to be read. Books selected will always be available in paperback (and kindle).
The first book to be discussed is 'The Wren, The Wren' by Anne Enright.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
For reading groups in the daytime, see HLT06 and HLT14, running on alternate dates on Fridays from 12.45-2.45pm.
Look up other Fiction/Literature courses under History, Culture & Writing/literature at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Claire Allen is a published author of fiction and poetry and teaches literature and creative writing at City Lit. Her first two novels, The Mountain of Light and Protection, were published by Headline Review in 2004 and 2006. Her most recent novel, The Blackbird, was published by small independent publisher Henningham Family Press in 2020.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.