What does the word “Gothic” mean to you? Gothic cathedrals and castles? Gothic fiction? Teenage goths dressed in black? Horror and the supernatural? This episode explores the origins of the gothic and one man’s lasting influence on this most important of genres. Guest Prof Dale Townshend is Professor of Gothic read more…
18th Century Literature
A Word To That Effect: Serendipity (Bonus Ep)
A Word To That Effect is a new series of bonus mini-episodes about a single word or phrase with a distinctly literary origin. This week, is a 2001 romantic comedy with Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack. It’s a baby clothes shop I passed the other day. It’s a song by read more…
Ep 37: The Golden Age of Piracy
Pirates have been around, for a very long time. As far as the historical record seems to show, they have been around for as long as there have been property and boats. What is it that attracts us to pirates and why have we got such a well-developed set of read more…
Episode 10: From Robinson Crusoe to Survivor: The Robinsonade
Daniel Defoe’s classic novel, The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, is without doubt one of the most recognizable stories in our culture. It is a book which has had hundreds, if not thousands, of editions. It has been translated into over 100 languages, adapted for stage and read more…