Literature
Join us on our courses as we explore the world of literature, from classic books to poetry. Our experienced instructors will guide you through the works of renowned authors and help you develop a deeper appreciation for the written word. Enroll now and embark on a journey of literary discovery!
The Woman in White
The Woman in White
Wilkie Collins’ sensational 1860 novel was a publishing phenomenon — outselling Dickens and captivating Victorian society. Part mystery, part love story, part gothic thriller, it introduced readers to a new kind of heroine and a sinister world of secrets, deception and social injustice.
Across this course we will explore:
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Collins’ blend of romance, suspense, humour and menace
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The novel’s memorable villains and complex heroines
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Victorian legal, social and gender issues woven into the plot
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Gothic tropes and the birth of the sensation novel
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How Collins influenced detective fiction and psychological thrillers to come
The Woman in White is a long novel even by Victorian standards, so our focus is on enjoyment, discovery and shared discussion rather than speed. All you need is any edition of the book — and an appetite for mystery, atmosphere and scandal…
Poetry for the New Year
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January takes its name from Janus, the Roman god who looks both backward and forward — a fitting spirit for a course that celebrates poetry of reflection and renewal. Across seven weeks, we will enjoy poems that explore the changing seasons, the turn of the year, and the human experiences that shape our hopes and memories.
We will read a lively mix of poets — old and new, tender and bold, wintry and full of spring’s promise. Along the way, we’ll take inspiration from key moments in the calendar, from Valentine’s Day to International Women’s Day (8 March).
This is a friendly, inclusive course where everyone is welcome to bring and share favourite poems. Each week, your chosen selections will be collected into a printed booklet for us all to enjoy — making this not only a poetry class, but a shared creative journey into the year ahead.
Bring curiosity, warmth, and a willingness to explore — and the poems will do the rest.
What the Dickens
Join Dr John Florance as we explore why Charles Dickens remains one of the towering figures of English literature. Although best known for his unforgettable characters — from Scrooge and Pickwick to the Artful Dodger and Miss Havisham — Dickens was also a journalist, social reformer and master storyteller whose work shaped Victorian culture and continues to resonate today.
Over this course we will consider:
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Dickens' great cast of eccentric and vivid characters
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His passionate concern for social justice and reform
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How he portrayed London and city life
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His views on crime, education, religion and politics
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His humour, sentiment, satire — and his deep humanity
No prior reading is required — all extracts will be provided. Whether you have read every novel or never met David Copperfield or Oliver Twist before, this is a welcoming course that celebrates Dickens’ wit, drama, compassion and storytelling genius.