By Charlotte Stevenson
This week is Banned Books Week, 23-29 September. To mark the occasion, regular writer Charlotte Stevenson asks: Is it ever appropriate to decide what another person should or shouldn’t read?
Top Ten Tips on Studying Literature at YSJU (from Former Students to Current Students)
We asked our wonderful Alumni of successful graduates if they had any advice they wish they could could to their former second-year selves. The results have been amazing, and what we got back is all exceptional advice for any student!
Colson Whitehead’s ‘The Underground Railroad’: The YSJ Big Summer Read 2018 Round-Up
As summer draws to a close, it is time to put away our YSJ Big Summer Read and turn our attention to the novels, plays, poetry and films that we’ll be reading and discussing throughout the new term. However, before we do that, here is a quick round-up of what everyone thought about this year’s Summer Read: Colson Whitehead’s Underground Railroad!
‘Offend the Right People for the Right Reasons’: Reflections on the “Death” of Satire
Literature and Creative Writing Student Tom Young reflects on his experience assisting at ‘Satire: Deaths, Births, Legacies.’
satire seems dead when the truth is unsayable: reflections on the many deaths of satire
Ahead of their conference this week, Satire: Deaths, Births, Legacies, Literature Lecturers Jo Waugh and Adam J Smith join us to discuss what it actually means when satire is declared dead.
with graduation on the horizon, our sub-editors say goodbye
This year’s sub-editors reflect on their experience as they prepare to leave York St John. Continue reading “with graduation on the horizon, our sub-editors say goodbye”
in defence of romance: an audience with ‘jessica gilmore’
By Tia Byer
Sub-editor Tia Byer reports on ‘The Art of Romance Today’ event, featuring York St John’s very own Mills & Boon author Jessica Thompson, and panel participants Drs Naomi Booth and Anne-Marie Evans.
Continue reading “in defence of romance: an audience with ‘jessica gilmore’”
on the power of poetry: an evening with rupi kaur
By Jenna Houston
Current student Jenna Houston reflects on a poetry reading with bestselling poet Rupi Kaur. Continue reading “on the power of poetry: an evening with rupi kaur”
defining humanity: mary shelley and the shape of water
by Charlotte Stevenson
Picture the scene: it’s late, dark and stormy. Somewhere far from here, Victor Frankenstein has finished putting together the pieces of his creation and with the smallest flicker of a yellow eye, he’s done it – he has conquered the mystery of human life! Continue reading “defining humanity: mary shelley and the shape of water”
English Literature Research Showcase
Current student Tom Young reports and reflects on the English Literature Research Showcase from early February. Continue reading “English Literature Research Showcase”
film review: the shape of water
By Zoe Buckton
Last week, third year Gender and Sexualities students headed down to CityScreen to see Guillermo Del Toro’s new, critically acclaimed movie The Shape of Water. If you’ve heard of The Shape of Water you’ll probably be aware of its key plot point: a romantic arc between a mute woman and what can best be described as a humanoid fish. Continue reading “film review: the shape of water”
a showcase of talent
By Tia Byer
On Wednesday 7th February 2018, English Literature students at York St John University were treated to a Literature Research Showcase. English Literature Faculty members presented their research and gave the low-down on what they are working on. Third-year student and Sub-Editor Tia Byer reports.
‘beyond all imagination’. holocaust memorial day and writing the incomprehensible
By Charlotte Stevenson
Current student Charlotte Stevenson reflects on the recent screening of Night and Fog for Holocaust Memorial Day and on her reading of Rena’s Promise for the module Conflicting Words, commenting on the tension between the necessity of commemoration and impossibility of writing about the unimaginable. Continue reading “‘beyond all imagination’. holocaust memorial day and writing the incomprehensible”
how can you critique cultural representations of the holocaust? reflections on a recent screening of ‘night and fog’
By Nicoletta Peddis
Current student Nicoletta Peddis reflects on the recent screening of Night and Fog, shown as part of Holocaust Memorial Day, and the subsequent discussions surrounding questions of how to teach and critique culture representations of the Holocaust.
in memory of ursula k. le guin
By Adam Cummins
Ursula Le Guin was an author who wrote novels and poetry. Most would call her a science fiction and a fantasy author. She was born in 1929 in California, where she was raised in a house with three brothers. She submitted her first story to a magazine when she was just eleven years old: it was rejected. This did not deter her. Continue reading “in memory of ursula k. le guin”