In September’s literature review, Zaman Keinath-Esmail explores the impact of Maria Dahvana Headley’s bold new translation of Beowulf.
Literature
Books That Made Me: The Phantom Tollbooth
In this latest instalment of the Books That Made Me Series, Matilda Houston-Brown discusses the children’s classic The Phantom Tolbooth. To her the book is memorable not only due to its amazingly quirkly characters, perfect puns and cutting-edge comedy but also because it taught her to love learning – a lesson she argues is important for every child.
Books that Made Me: Hey Jude, it’s you again
For our next instalment of ‘Books that Made Me’, Jess Steadman reminisces on her (intensely emotional) experiences reading Thomas Hardy’s controversial but beloved social tragedy Jude the Obscure.
Normal people don’t do it like that
Senior Opinions Editor Amy Sankey analyses the assumptions we might make about female sexuality from novels such as Sally Rooney’s ‘Normal People’. To her, the novel’s title is misleading – the women we see, the lives they live, the sex they have, are actually not as ‘normal’ as they are made to seem.
The Re-emergence of Middle-earth
‘The characters Tolkien created each demonstrate different aspects of the human condition, and as such they are all relatable. This is one of the key foundations of Tolkien’s popularity and one reason as to why there is such extensive excitement for all new content.’
Mia Clement dissects all the hype and anticipation surrounding Amazon’s super-secret Lord of the Rings series.
Books That Made Me: Hot Milk
For the next instalment of ‘The Books that Made Me’, Jennifer Goodier uses Deborah Levy’s Hot Milk to explain how relating personally to literary characters goes beyond just seeing parallels between their lives and yours. Her deep connection with Levy’s characters is powerful and real because it is based on emotion and learning to grow from emotional experience.
A contentious matter: searching for book content warnings
‘they should be there for those who need them, for those who it is a matter of self-preservation not choice.’
Emma Gasson explores the history behind content warnings being applied to literature, and presents her frustrations at why they remain so contentious.
Telling God to “fuck off”: September Review – V card
Our first September Review comes from the Theatre section with Bethan Draycott reviewing the most recent run of the Oxford student play V-Card on at the Bread and Roses theatre Clapham.
September Review: Young Royals
For the September Film and Tv review, Jess Steadman offers you the new Netflix series, ‘Young Royals’. With its engaging story, delicate handling of issues and short six episode run it is the perfect end of summer watch!
Book Inspired Playlists: Jack Kerouac’s Maggie Cassidy
This new mini-series ‘Book Inspired Playlists’ aims to introduce us to literature through the medium of music, offering a voice those emotions and feelings that cannot be easily explained through words. First, Emily Poncia takes on Kerouac’s Maggie Cassidy.