As Agatha Christie becomes the latest in a line of authors whose works are being rewritten, censorship (even well-intentioned censorship) sees no sign of dissipating. I believe that rewriting classics not only unintentionally implies that we cannot cope with books of their time, but also produces airbrushed versions of texts that entirely miss the point […]
Firstly, I must apologise for misleading you slightly. The title of this piece suggests that it is about a poem that has changed my life. This would be an over-dramatic representation. I can think of little that has literally changed my life. However, I can certainly name a thing or two that has had a […]
Following a stint at Biddy’s for St Patrick’s Day, my friends and I remained committed to attending the much-anticipated Madeline Miller lecture. The Classics, History and Feminist Societies collaborated to host Miller in conversation, a cult-favourite author, celebrated for ‘Song of Achilles’, ‘Circe’ and ‘Galatea.’ I remember my sister insistently recommending ‘Song of Achilles’ to […]
The Shawshank Redemption is nothing short of extraordinary. A study of humanity, the play begs questions of the possibilities of redemption and the capacity of the human spirit for resilience. At points humorous, and at other points devastatingly tragic, the production is undoubtedly a modern-day masterpiece. Based on the novella by Stephen King and the […]
When I first opened Wuthering Heights, I was given two responses. The first was from my mum, thrilled to see me finally reading the book that she somewhat named me after (I was named Catherine after my gran, but have always been nicknamed Cathy after Brontë’s heroine). The second response was characterised by a single […]
I want to start with my top book recommendations for the summer. These books have a great summery vibe and leave you feeling warm inside. I highly recommend adding these to your TBR. Grown Ups by Marian Keyes I read this last summer and it was so fun and chilled. It’s all about a large […]
Whenever I tell someone that I like Radiohead, I get one of two reactions: an eye roll, or a superficially concerned enquiry into my mental state. Fair enough, I suppose. Radiohead are known for their viscerally depressing music and tend to invoke an image of a single man, alone in the dark, lamenting his oh-so […]
The start of my English Literature degree at Edinburgh in September 2021 coincided with introducing new core literary studies courses, redesigned from the previous curriculum to diversify and decolonise literature study at the university. As my time as a pre-honours student draws to a close, this article contains my reflections on the progress achieved by […]