“Do I really need to read classics?” – for many years, even despite having majored in literature, my answer would’ve been a simple: “no”. My initial experience with classics was similar to that of many others; they were forced down my throat in high school and made me occasionally question whether I liked reading at all. Countless… Continue reading Do you really need to read the classics?
For as long as we can recall philosophers, poets and scientists alike have grappled with the seemingly impossible task of defining the essence of love, and as an extension of this the essence of humanity. We now live in a society where technology is entrenched in our everyday lives and the question is taking on a new… Continue reading What It Means to Love: Humanity and Artificial Intelligence in Klara and the Sun
“Being born a woman is my awful tragedy.” Sylvia Plath journalled in 1959, four years before her death. “From the moment I was conceived I was doomed to sprout breasts and a womb and to adore men who are the enemies of my kind.” A year later, in 1960, poet Anne Sexton underwent an illegal… Continue reading The Womb is a Haunted House: Looking to the Works of Plath and Sexton as a Woman in 2025
TikTok, as an app, and the hobby of reading books have a somewhat complicated affair. They are opposites in many ways, an age-old tradition of stories being told through the written word versus short, easily-consumable and readily available pieces of media with little deeper meaning. TikTok has had an adverse effect on the younger generations’… Continue reading “As Seen on TikTok” – The Epidemic of ‘BookTok’ Literature
Modernism emerged as a cultural force in a world still recovering from the effects of World War 1 and an increasingly industrialised world. Many writers, poets, painters and other creatives sought to reflect a civilization in moral decay, fragmented in its identity. Many of these invoked older traditions in order to subvert and revise them,… Continue reading Making it New: William Carlos Williams
Founded in 1969 by Richard Kuper, Pluto Press emerged in London as a publishing house committed to challenging dominant political ideologies and fostering activism. Pluto Press quickly gained traction by advocating for Trotskyist and Marxist viewpoints and supporting the broader revolutionary left. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the world’s most influential… Continue reading Pluto Press: a legacy of radical publishing and activism
In an age where literature often feels confined to the pages of books and the walls of academia, London Literary Tours emerges as a vibrant antidote. Led by passionate guides Mike Carter and Cindy Lawford, this unique venture invites literary enthusiasts to explore the city through the eyes of its greatest writers, weaving together their… Continue reading London Literary Tours: embark on an unforgettable journey through the city’s literary soul
Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus, is an 1818 novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Set in the late 18th century, it follows scientist Victor Frankenstein’s creation of life and the terrible events that are precipitated by his abandonment of his creation. It is a Gothic novel in that it combines supernatural elements with horror, death and… Continue reading Frankenstein: how Mary Shelley’s sci-fi classic offers lessons for us today about the dangers of playing God
Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles has enthralled readers with its blend of romance, mythology, and adventure, offering a fresh retelling of The Iliad through the eyes of Patroclus, the devoted companion to Achilles. This remarkable debut explores their deepening relationship amidst the trials of war and divine disapproval. As Helen’s abduction leads to the… Continue reading The Folio Society Unveils Stunning New Edition of Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles
A major transformation is underway in Romancelandia. Once upon a time, romance novels from major U.S. publishers featured only heterosexual couples. Today, the five biggest publishers regularly release same-sex love stories. From May 2022 to May 2023, sales of LGBTQ+ romance grew by 40%, with the next biggest jump in this period occurring for general… Continue reading What’s behind the astonishing rise in LGBTQ+ romance literature?
