We explore three contemporary novels, with narrators that disrupt, transgress and tell us stories that dive into the complexities of memory, marriage, motherhood, friendship and love.
Explore the challenges of close reading and critical thinking through a study ofThe Lost Daughterby Elena Ferrante, The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes and Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This in-person literature course encourages you to develop your close reading and analytical skills through the study of three iconic contemporary novels that are located in different cultures - Britain, Italy and Germay (translated from the Italian and the German).
What will we cover?
Weeks 1 & 2 -The Sense of an Ending(2011) Julian Barnes's 2011 Man Booker Prize winner, considers the complexities of how we construct our personal histories and the consequences of past actions on others. 'Mesmerising...the concluding scenes grip like a thriller - a whodunnit of memory and morality.'Independent
Weeks 2 & 3:The Lost Daughterby Elena Ferrante (2006) translated into English by Ann Goldstein in 2008. (Original title: La Figlia Oscura) Told through Lida's internal monologue, her seaside holiday turns dark when she confronts her past, becoming obsessed with a young mother and her daughter. 'The novel explores the societal taboo of the "unnatural" mother.The Guardian
Weeks 5 & 6:Kairosby Jenny Erpenbeck (2023) translated by Michael Hofmann. Winner of the International Booker Prize 2024,Kairostells the tale of turbulent lovers, set in the East Berlin of the 1980s, before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall. 'Subtle, richly layered, densely allusive and hugely ambitious... Kairosis an impressive achievement.' Spectator
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
-Recognise the social and cultural framework for each text -Develop close reading skills to analyse different forms of the novel for meaning -Develop understanding of narrative structure and character development in fiction -Consider the value of a work in translation.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a course for people who have previously done some literary or relevant study in humanities and are interested in further developing their literary skills of analysis. You will be interested in exploring and discussing the texts, with a willingness to join into discussion and consider the views of others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
There will be short introductory lectures, small group and whole group discussion. Readings will be set for each week in preparation for that week's class, with contextual information and questions to guide your reading.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please buy or borrow copies of: The Sense of an Endingby Julian Barnes, Vintage 2011
The Lost Daughter (2006)by Elena Ferrante (trans. Ann Goldstein), Europa Editions 2021
Kairosby Jenny Erpenbeck (trans. Michael Hofmann) Granta: 2023, 2024
The tutor will provide secondary materials.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other Fiction courses in our Literature programme at https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature
Patricia Sweeney is Programme Coordinator for Literature at City Lit. She has been working in the university and adult education sectors for over 20 years, with specialist teaching interests in American cultural studies, modern and contemporary British and American fiction, drama and film adaptation. In addition to her work at City Lit, Patricia has taught Literature courses for the Open University, Literature, Drama and Film courses for Birkbeck, University of London and contributed to MA and PGCE courses at the Institute of Education, University College London.
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.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/ways-into-advanced-literature-disruptors-transgressors-and-storytellers343280Ways into Advanced Literature: disruptors, transgressors and storytellershttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/autobiography-into-poetry-hw640-1024.jpg149149GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Advanced literary study/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Advanced Humanities courses22851177118713368137411228511771187<p>We explore three contemporary novels, with narrators that disrupt, transgress and tell us stories that dive into the complexities of memory, marriage, motherhood, friendship and love.</p><p>Explore the challenges of close reading and critical thinking through a study of<em>The Lost Daughter</em>by Elena Ferrante, <em>The Sense of an Ending </em>by Julian Barnes and <em>Kairos</em> by Jenny Erpenbeck.</p>152744765Ways into Advanced Literature: disruptors, transgressors and storytellers149149https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/autobiography-into-poetry-hw640-1024.jpgInStockEveningWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-06T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT278149149Ways into Advanced Literature: disruptors, transgressors and storytellers14997149Patricia Sweeneyways-into-advanced-literature-disruptors-transgressors-and-storytellers/hlt278-2526<p>We explore three contemporary novels, with narrators that disrupt, transgress and tell us stories that dive into the complexities of memory, marriage, motherhood, friendship and love.</p><p>Explore the challenges of close reading and critical thinking through a study of<em>The Lost Daughter</em>by Elena Ferrante, <em>The Sense of an Ending </em>by Julian Barnes and <em>Kairos</em> by Jenny Erpenbeck.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-06 00:00:00<p>This in-person literature course encourages you to develop your close reading and analytical skills through the study of three iconic contemporary novels that are located in different cultures - Britain, Italy and Germay (translated from the Italian and the German).</p><p>We explore three contemporary novels, with narrators that disrupt, transgress and tell us stories that dive into the complexities of memory, marriage, motherhood, friendship and love.</p><p>Explore the challenges of close reading and critical thinking through a study of<em>The Lost Daughter</em>by Elena Ferrante, <em>The Sense of an Ending </em>by Julian Barnes and <em>Kairos</em> by Jenny Erpenbeck.</p><p>Weeks 1 & 2 -<em>The Sense of an Ending</em>(2011) Julian Barnes's 2011 Man Booker Prize winner, considers the complexities of how we construct our personal histories and the consequences of past actions on others. 'Mesmerising...the concluding scenes grip like a thriller - a whodunnit of memory and morality.'<em>Independent</em></p><p><br>Weeks 2 & 3:<em>The Lost Daughter</em>by Elena Ferrante (2006) translated into English by Ann Goldstein in 2008. (Original title: La Figlia Oscura) Told through Lida's internal monologue, her seaside holiday turns dark when she confronts her past, becoming obsessed with a young mother and her daughter. 'The novel explores the societal taboo of the "unnatural" mother.<em>The Guardian</em><br><br>Weeks 5 & 6:<em>Kairos</em>by Jenny Erpenbeck (2023) translated by Michael Hofmann. Winner of the International Booker Prize 2024,<em>Kairos</em>tells the tale of turbulent lovers, set in the East Berlin of the 1980s, before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall. 'Subtle, richly layered, densely allusive and hugely ambitious... <em>Kairos</em>is an impressive achievement.' <em>Spectator</em></p>-Recognise the social and cultural framework for each text<br>-Develop close reading skills to analyse different forms of the novel for meaning<br>-Develop understanding of narrative structure and character development in fiction<br>-Consider the value of a work in translation.This is a course for people who have previously done some literary or relevant study in humanities and are interested in further developing their literary skills of analysis. You will be interested in exploring and discussing the texts, with a willingness to join into discussion and consider the views of others.There will be short introductory lectures, small group and whole group discussion. Readings will be set for each week in preparation for that week's class, with contextual information and questions to guide your reading.<p>Please buy or borrow copies of:<br><em>The Sense of an Ending</em>by Julian Barnes, Vintage 2011</p><p><em>The Lost Daughter (2006)</em>by Elena Ferrante (trans. Ann Goldstein), Europa Editions 2021</p><p><em>Kairos</em>by Jenny Erpenbeck (trans. Michael Hofmann) Granta: 2023, 2024<br><br>The tutor will provide secondary materials.</p><p>Look for other Fiction courses in our Literature programme at https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature</p>LiteratureAdvanced literary studyvirtual14914997HLT278NONEWed06/05/26 - 10/06/2618:00 - 19:3018:0019:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetPatricia SweeneySome experienceAvailable courses2026-05-06T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities149149Ways into Advanced Literature: disruptors, transgressors and storytellersways-into-advanced-literature-disruptors-transgressors-and-storytellers/hlt278-2526<p>We explore three contemporary novels, with narrators that disrupt, transgress and tell us stories that dive into the complexities of memory, marriage, motherhood, friendship and love.</p><p>Explore the challenges of close reading and critical thinking through a study of<em>The Lost Daughter</em>by Elena Ferrante, <em>The Sense of an Ending </em>by Julian Barnes and <em>Kairos</em> by Jenny Erpenbeck.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-06 00:00:00<p>This in-person literature course encourages you to develop your close reading and analytical skills through the study of three iconic contemporary novels that are located in different cultures - Britain, Italy and Germay (translated from the Italian and the German).</p><p>We explore three contemporary novels, with narrators that disrupt, transgress and tell us stories that dive into the complexities of memory, marriage, motherhood, friendship and love.</p><p>Explore the challenges of close reading and critical thinking through a study of<em>The Lost Daughter</em>by Elena Ferrante, <em>The Sense of an Ending </em>by Julian Barnes and <em>Kairos</em> by Jenny Erpenbeck.</p><p>Weeks 1 &amp; 2 -<em>The Sense of an Ending</em>(2011) Julian Barnes's 2011 Man Booker Prize winner, considers the complexities of how we construct our personal histories and the consequences of past actions on others. 'Mesmerising...the concluding scenes grip like a thriller - a whodunnit of memory and morality.'<em>Independent</em></p><p><br>Weeks 2 &amp; 3:<em>The Lost Daughter</em>by Elena Ferrante (2006) translated into English by Ann Goldstein in 2008. (Original title: La Figlia Oscura) Told through Lida's internal monologue, her seaside holiday turns dark when she confronts her past, becoming obsessed with a young mother and her daughter. 'The novel explores the societal taboo of the "unnatural" mother.<em>The Guardian</em><br><br>Weeks 5 &amp; 6:<em>Kairos</em>by Jenny Erpenbeck (2023) translated by Michael Hofmann. Winner of the International Booker Prize 2024,<em>Kairos</em>tells the tale of turbulent lovers, set in the East Berlin of the 1980s, before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall. 'Subtle, richly layered, densely allusive and hugely ambitious... <em>Kairos</em>is an impressive achievement.' <em>Spectator</em></p>-Recognise the social and cultural framework for each text<br>-Develop close reading skills to analyse different forms of the novel for meaning<br>-Develop understanding of narrative structure and character development in fiction<br>-Consider the value of a work in translation.This is a course for people who have previously done some literary or relevant study in humanities and are interested in further developing their literary skills of analysis. You will be interested in exploring and discussing the texts, with a willingness to join into discussion and consider the views of others.There will be short introductory lectures, small group and whole group discussion. Readings will be set for each week in preparation for that week's class, with contextual information and questions to guide your reading.<p>Please buy or borrow copies of:<br><em>The Sense of an Ending</em>by Julian Barnes, Vintage 2011</p><p><em>The Lost Daughter (2006)</em>by Elena Ferrante (trans. Ann Goldstein), Europa Editions 2021</p><p><em>Kairos</em>by Jenny Erpenbeck (trans. Michael Hofmann) Granta: 2023, 2024<br><br>The tutor will provide secondary materials.</p><p>Look for other Fiction courses in our Literature programme at https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature</p>LiteratureAdvanced literary studyconfigurable
133681187Advanced literary studyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/advanced-literary-study1/2/285/1177/1187/133681/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Advanced literary study
