Monthly Archives: August 2013

Brave New Worlds before Huxley and Orwell

Posted on August 28, 2013 by summerinspire

In this guest blog, Dr Oliver Tearle, a lecturer at the University of Loughborough and founder of the Interesting Literature blog (also on Twitter @InterestingLit), examines the history of dystopian literature.  According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the noun ‘dystopia’ (defined as … Continue reading →

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For the (Literary) Detective in you!

Posted on August 19, 2013 by summerinspire

So it’s Monday again and everyone needs a little lift! So we thought we would offer you a light-hearted challenge to kick start your week… who famously praised Shakespeare’s work in the passage below? Extra brownie points for those who … Continue reading →

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A Medieval Mystery: Who Was the Pearl-poet?

Posted on August 14, 2013 by summerinspire

In this guest blog, Hannah Ryley, an Oxford DPhil student, explores the anonymity of authorship in the Middle Ages.  In the British Library there is a medieval manuscript with the shelfmark Cotton Nero A.x. Dull though this shelfmark may sound, … Continue reading →

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Get Wilde

Posted on August 9, 2013 by summerinspire

Bored on your commute home? You’re in fine company. In The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde wrote, “I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train.” You can actually read Wilde’s Life and Confessions as a … Continue reading →

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