"Creativity is an Act of Resistance": exploring Bernardine Evaristo
In celebration of Black History Month, we’re exploring the life and works of Booker Prize-winner, novelist, poet, essayist and editor, Bernadine Evaristo. From her early literature to critically-acclaimed, ‘Girl, Woman, Other’, we’ll uncover her unique narrative voice, blend of poetry and prose and how she gives visibility to a cast of diverse characters.
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Through readings and discussions and creative exercises, this short, interactive course dissects the politics and major themes of her writing, including identity, race, gender and intersectionality, helping us understand why her innovative voice shapes contemporary literature. You’ll engage with her styleand genre experimentation, from prose-poetry hybrid form to verse-fiction.
What will we cover?
Evaristo’s early life, influences and literary career
Analysis of her major themes: identity, race, gender and intersectionality
Discussion of her style: prose-poetry, multiple perspectives and hybrid narratives
Contemporary novels, verse-fiction and experimental novels: Girl, Woman, Other, Mr Loverman, The Emperor’s Babe (2001), Lara (1997)
Discussion of her non-fiction, essays and cultural commentary
Selected readings and short exercises
Reflection on why Evaristo’s creativity is powerful and relevant today
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Describe key aspects of Evaristo’s life and career
Identify central themes in her novels and verse-fiction
Analyse her innovative narrative style
Discuss her influence on contemporary literature
Engage creatively with her prose-poetry style through short exercises
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Open to all, no prior knowledge of Evaristo required
Just bring your curiosity and willingness to discuss ideas
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Interactive discussion, guided readings and group participation
Short creative exercises in class; no homework required
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All materials will be provided by the tutor.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other Literature courses under Culture, History and Humanities/Literature at www.citylit.ac.uk/courses.
Trained at Cambridge University and UCL, Jessica Wilson is British-born of Jamaican descent, moving between Montego Bay and London. She has six fiction books focussed on the Caribbean, West African and Black British experience set for release within the next 3 years. She was a participant within Penguin Random House's 'WriteNow', shortlisted for an Aesthetica Creative Writing Award and, most recently, the recipient of the Royal Society of Authors' Arthur Welton Award for poetry. Her first book, 'Sofia the Dreamer and Her Magical Afro' was a National Poetry Day Recommended Read and endorsed by Benjamin Zephaniah and Afua Hirsch. Jessica has worked as a speaker, tutor and consultant for The Race Council, BookTrust Represents, University of the West Indies, Pan MacMillan and School Library Association.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/creativity-is-an-act-of-resistance-exploring-bernardine-evaristo3047245"Creativity is an Act of Resistance": exploring Bernardine Evaristohttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/fiction-1024.jpg3939GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction/Courses/Online courses228511771187118817311228511771187<p>In celebration of Black History Month, we’re exploring the life and works of Booker Prize-winner, novelist, poet, essayist and editor, Bernadine Evaristo. From her early literature to critically-acclaimed, ‘Girl, Woman, Other’, we’ll uncover her unique narrative voice, blend of poetry and prose and how she gives visibility to a cast of diverse characters. </p>003047218"Creativity is an Act of Resistance": exploring Bernardine Evaristo3939https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/fiction-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-10-03T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersOct 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT3683939"Creativity is an Act of Resistance": exploring Bernardine Evaristo312539Jessica Wilsoncreativity-is-an-act-of-resistance-exploring-bernardine-evaristo/hlt368-2627<p>In celebration of Black History Month, we’re exploring the life and works of Booker Prize-winner, novelist, poet, essayist and editor, Bernadine Evaristo. From her early literature to critically-acclaimed, ‘Girl, Woman, Other’, we’ll uncover her unique narrative voice, blend of poetry and prose and how she gives visibility to a cast of diverse characters. </p>0000-Available|2026-10-03 00:00:00<p>Through readings and discussions and creative exercises, this short, interactive course dissects the politics and major themes of her writing, including identity, race, gender and intersectionality, helping us understand why her innovative voice shapes contemporary literature. You’ll engage with her styleand genre experimentation, from prose-poetry hybrid form to verse-fiction.</p><p>In celebration of Black History Month, we’re exploring the life and works of Booker Prize-winner, novelist, poet, essayist and editor, Bernadine Evaristo. From her early literature to critically-acclaimed, ‘Girl, Woman, Other’, we’ll uncover her unique narrative voice, blend of poetry and prose and how she gives visibility to a cast of diverse characters. </p><ul><li>Evaristo’s early life, influences and literary career</li><li>Analysis of her major themes: identity, race, gender and intersectionality</li><li>Discussion of her style: prose-poetry, multiple perspectives and hybrid narratives</li><li>Contemporary novels, verse-fiction and experimental novels: Girl, Woman, Other, Mr Loverman, The Emperor’s Babe (2001), Lara (1997)</li><li>Discussion of her non-fiction, essays and cultural commentary</li><li>Selected readings and short exercises</li><li>Reflection on why Evaristo’s creativity is powerful and relevant today</li></ul><ul><li>Describe key aspects of Evaristo’s life and career</li><li>Identify central themes in her novels and verse-fiction</li><li>Analyse her innovative narrative style</li><li>Discuss her influence on contemporary literature</li><li>Engage creatively with her prose-poetry style through short exercises</li></ul><ul><li>Open to all, no prior knowledge of Evaristo required</li><li>Just bring your curiosity and willingness to discuss ideas</li></ul><p></p><ul><li>Interactive discussion, guided readings and group participation</li><li>Short creative exercises in class; no homework required</li></ul><p>All materials will be provided by the tutor.</p><p>Look for other Literature courses under Culture, History and Humanities/Literature at www.citylit.ac.uk/courses.</p>LiteratureFictionvirtual313925HLT368NONESat03/10/2610:00 - 13:0010:0013:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendOnlineOnlineJessica WilsonBeginnersAvailable courses2026-10-03T00:00:00+00:00Oct 2026Culture, history & humanities3939"Creativity is an Act of Resistance": exploring Bernardine Evaristocreativity-is-an-act-of-resistance-exploring-bernardine-evaristo/hlt368-2627<p>In celebration of Black History Month, we’re exploring the life and works of Booker Prize-winner, novelist, poet, essayist and editor, Bernadine Evaristo. From her early literature to critically-acclaimed, ‘Girl, Woman, Other’, we’ll uncover her unique narrative voice, blend of poetry and prose and how she gives visibility to a cast of diverse characters. </p>0000-Available|2026-10-03 00:00:00<p>Through readings and discussions and creative exercises, this short, interactive course dissects the politics and major themes of her writing, including identity, race, gender and intersectionality, helping us understand why her innovative voice shapes contemporary literature. You’ll engage with her styleand genre experimentation, from prose-poetry hybrid form to verse-fiction.</p><p>In celebration of Black History Month, we’re exploring the life and works of Booker Prize-winner, novelist, poet, essayist and editor, Bernadine Evaristo. From her early literature to critically-acclaimed, ‘Girl, Woman, Other’, we’ll uncover her unique narrative voice, blend of poetry and prose and how she gives visibility to a cast of diverse characters. </p><ul><li>Evaristo’s early life, influences and literary career</li><li>Analysis of her major themes: identity, race, gender and intersectionality</li><li>Discussion of her style: prose-poetry, multiple perspectives and hybrid narratives</li><li>Contemporary novels, verse-fiction and experimental novels: Girl, Woman, Other, Mr Loverman, The Emperor’s Babe (2001), Lara (1997)</li><li>Discussion of her non-fiction, essays and cultural commentary</li><li>Selected readings and short exercises</li><li>Reflection on why Evaristo’s creativity is powerful and relevant today</li></ul><ul><li>Describe key aspects of Evaristo’s life and career</li><li>Identify central themes in her novels and verse-fiction</li><li>Analyse her innovative narrative style</li><li>Discuss her influence on contemporary literature</li><li>Engage creatively with her prose-poetry style through short exercises</li></ul><ul><li>Open to all, no prior knowledge of Evaristo required</li><li>Just bring your curiosity and willingness to discuss ideas</li></ul><p></p><ul><li>Interactive discussion, guided readings and group participation</li><li>Short creative exercises in class; no homework required</li></ul><p>All materials will be provided by the tutor.</p><p>Look for other Literature courses under Culture, History and Humanities/Literature at www.citylit.ac.uk/courses.</p>LiteratureFictionconfigurable
11881187Fictionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/fiction1/2/285/1177/1187/11881/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction
