Wide Sargasso Sea (1966)

Jane Eyre (1847) is a classic Victorian text about a young orphan girl growing up, becoming a governess, falling in love with Mr Rochester, but coming into inheritance and gaining her independence – a rare, although not unheard of, thing for a woman in early-mid 19th century. Strongly acclaimed by feminist readers is the famous …

The Novel and Democracy

What is the novel? In very basic terms, dictionaries might define that a novel is 'fictional', written in 'prose' and of a certain 'length'. However, a novel is so much than that. To start, not all novels are fictional, some novels are written in verse, and who gets to decide how many words? Erich Auerbach's …

George Eliot on realism. An excerpt from her novel, Adam Bede (1859), Chapter 17.

Perhaps you will say, “Do improve the facts a little, then; make them more accordant with those correct views which it is our privilege to possess. The world is not just what we like; do touch it up with a tasteful pencil, and make believe it is not quite such a mixed entangled affair. Let …

Durham Book Festival 2

Retellings Sunday, 15 October, 2pm–3pm This event was organised by the book festival, and I had to pay £6 for the entrance fee. I got a student discount, which is always nice. It was held in the Town Hall, an old building with a gorgeous early Victorian great hall, which was decorated with enchanting trees …