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In this new in-college course, we’ll be looking at some of the greatest short works of modern times. According to Ian McEwan “the novella is the perfect form of prose fiction”. Find out how and why some of the greatest modern writers, from Henry James to Truman Capote, to Tessa Hadley and Colm Toibin, used the form to create work that is concise, resonant, enigmatic and often ground breaking.
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We’ll be reading and discussing some of the great novellas of modern times - some classics, some more contemporary, including Henry James’s Daisy Miller, about the troubles of a young American woman travelling in Europe, Ian McEwan’s Nutshell, a brilliant, hilarious tale of a murder plot overheard by a foetus (any resemblance to Hamlet is entirely intentional), Truman Capote’s gorgeously romantic Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and The Fox, DH Lawrence’s enigmatic tale of two women whose lives are disturbed by the arrival of a fox. Or is it just a fox?
What will we cover?
We’ll be considering some of the key ideas and currents in modern literature, such as sex, alienation, political oppression and nostalgia, and looking at how the novella form has been used to explore these aspects.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Relate what we have read to other works of modern literature
Feel confident to read more widely in this area
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
For those who enjoy reading and discussing literature and are interested in sharing ideas and listening to the views of others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Introduction by the tutor, whole group and small group work, reading in class, some video clips where appropriate. You will be asked to read the selected texts in the week before the class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Students should buy or borrow the following texts in these editions:
The Fox - DH Lawrence (Penguin Classics)
The Party - Tessa Hadley (Penguin)
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich Alexander Solzhenitsyn(Vintage) 4.Nutshell - Ian McEwan (Vintage)
The Testament of Mary - Colm Toibin (Penguin)
Daisy Miller - Henry James (Penguin English Library)
Breakfast at Tiffany's - Truman Capote (Penguin Modern Classics) Further titles TBA
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other Literature courses on our website under History, Culture and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Julian Birkett is a teacher and writer specialising in modern literature. He previously worked in the Arts department at the BBC as a producer of series such as The Late Show, Modern Poets in their Own Words, The Victorians and The Culture Show. He has taught in London and at the University of Mumbai.He aims to create a friendly but thoughtful atmosphere in his City Lit classes and to provide a stimulating variety of activities from tutor input to discussion to group work and video clips.
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/great-novellas179933Great Novellashttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/https://www.citylit.ac.uk/static/version1752849002/frontend/WilliamsCommerce/citylit/en_GB/Magento_Catalog/images/product/placeholder/image.jpg259259GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction22851177118711881228511771187<p>In this new in-college course, we’ll be looking at some of the greatest short works of modern times. According to Ian McEwan “the novella is the perfect form of prose fiction”. Find out how and why some of the greatest modern writers, from Henry James to Truman Capote, to Tessa Hadley and Colm Toibin, used the form to create work that is concise, resonant, enigmatic and often ground breaking.</p> We’ll be studying in depth some of the great novellas of modern times, including Turgenev’s poignantly evocative First Love, James Baldwin’s innovative handling of homosexuality in Giovanni’s Room, Ian McEwans’ dark tale of sex and intrigue in Venice The Comfort of Strangers, and Lorrie Moore’s sad, witty, disillusioned fairy tale Who will Run the Frog Hospital? <br />
<br />
This is a live online course. You will need:<br />
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.<br />
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.<br />
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.<br />
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.452667339Great Novellas259259https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/https://www.citylit.ac.uk/static/version1752849002/frontend/WilliamsCommerce/citylit/en_GB/Magento_Catalog/images/product/placeholder/image.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-01-12T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT198259259Great Novellas207168259Julian Birkettgreat-novellas/hlt198-2526<p>In this new in-college course, we’ll be looking at some of the greatest short works of modern times. According to Ian McEwan “the novella is the perfect form of prose fiction”. Find out how and why some of the greatest modern writers, from Henry James to Truman Capote, to Tessa Hadley and Colm Toibin, used the form to create work that is concise, resonant, enigmatic and often ground breaking.</p>0000-Available|2026-01-12 00:00:00<p>We’ll be reading and discussing some of the great novellas of modern times - some classics, some more contemporary, including Henry James’s <em>Daisy Miller</em>, about the troubles of a young American woman travelling in Europe, Ian McEwan’s <em>Nutshell, </em>a brilliant, hilarious tale of a murder plot overheard by a foetus (any resemblance to<em> Hamlet</em> is entirely intentional), Truman Capote’s gorgeously romantic <em>Breakfast at Tiffany’s, </em>and <em>The Fox,</em> DH Lawrence’s enigmatic tale of two women whose lives are disturbed by the arrival of a fox. Or is it just a fox? </p><p>In this new in-college course, we’ll be looking at some of the greatest short works of modern times. According to Ian McEwan “the novella is the perfect form of prose fiction”. Find out how and why some of the greatest modern writers, from Henry James to Truman Capote, to Tessa Hadley and Colm Toibin, used the form to create work that is concise, resonant, enigmatic and often ground breaking.</p><p>We’ll be considering some of the key ideas and currents in modern literature, such as sex, alienation, political oppression and nostalgia, and looking at how the novella form has been used to explore these aspects.</p><ul><li>Relate what we have read to other works of modern literature</li><li>Feel confident to read more widely in this area</li></ul><p>For those who enjoy reading and discussing literature and are interested in sharing ideas and listening to the views of others.</p><p>Introduction by the tutor, whole group and small group work, reading in class, some video clips where appropriate. You will be asked to read the selected texts in the week before the class.</p><ol><li>Students should buy or borrow the following texts in these editions:</li><li>The Fox - DH Lawrence (Penguin Classics)</li><li>The Party - Tessa Hadley (Penguin)</li><li>One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich Alexander Solzhenitsyn(Vintage) 4.Nutshell - Ian McEwan (Vintage)</li><li>The Testament of Mary - Colm Toibin (Penguin)</li><li>Daisy Miller - Henry James (Penguin English Library)</li><li>Breakfast at Tiffany's - Truman Capote (Penguin Modern Classics) Further titles TBA</li></ol><p>Look for other Literature courses on our website under History, Culture and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>virtual207259168HLT198NONEMon12/01/26 - 23/03/2610:30 - 12:3010:3012:3010 sessions (over 11 weeks)105-10 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetJulian BirkettBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-01-12T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeJan 2026Culture, history & humanities259259Great Novellasgreat-novellas/hlt198-2526<p>In this new in-college course, we’ll be looking at some of the greatest short works of modern times. According to Ian McEwan “the novella is the perfect form of prose fiction”. Find out how and why some of the greatest modern writers, from Henry James to Truman Capote, to Tessa Hadley and Colm Toibin, used the form to create work that is concise, resonant, enigmatic and often ground breaking.</p>0000-Available|2026-01-12 00:00:00<p>We’ll be reading and discussing some of the great novellas of modern times - some classics, some more contemporary, including Henry James’s <em>Daisy Miller</em>, about the troubles of a young American woman travelling in Europe, Ian McEwan’s <em>Nutshell, </em>a brilliant, hilarious tale of a murder plot overheard by a foetus (any resemblance to<em> Hamlet</em> is entirely intentional), Truman Capote’s gorgeously romantic <em>Breakfast at Tiffany’s, </em>and <em>The Fox,</em> DH Lawrence’s enigmatic tale of two women whose lives are disturbed by the arrival of a fox. Or is it just a fox? </p><p>In this new in-college course, we’ll be looking at some of the greatest short works of modern times. According to Ian McEwan “the novella is the perfect form of prose fiction”. Find out how and why some of the greatest modern writers, from Henry James to Truman Capote, to Tessa Hadley and Colm Toibin, used the form to create work that is concise, resonant, enigmatic and often ground breaking.</p><p>We’ll be considering some of the key ideas and currents in modern literature, such as sex, alienation, political oppression and nostalgia, and looking at how the novella form has been used to explore these aspects.</p><ul><li>Relate what we have read to other works of modern literature</li><li>Feel confident to read more widely in this area</li></ul><p>For those who enjoy reading and discussing literature and are interested in sharing ideas and listening to the views of others.</p><p>Introduction by the tutor, whole group and small group work, reading in class, some video clips where appropriate. You will be asked to read the selected texts in the week before the class.</p><ol><li>Students should buy or borrow the following texts in these editions:</li><li>The Fox - DH Lawrence (Penguin Classics)</li><li>The Party - Tessa Hadley (Penguin)</li><li>One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich Alexander Solzhenitsyn(Vintage) 4.Nutshell - Ian McEwan (Vintage)</li><li>The Testament of Mary - Colm Toibin (Penguin)</li><li>Daisy Miller - Henry James (Penguin English Library)</li><li>Breakfast at Tiffany's - Truman Capote (Penguin Modern Classics) Further titles TBA</li></ol><p>Look for other Literature courses on our website under History, Culture and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>configurable
11881187Fictionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/history-culture-and-writing/literature/fiction1/2/285/1177/1187/11881/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction
