Reading Elizabeth Taylor: Novels of the 1940s and 1950s

5 weekly sessions on campus, on Wednesdays at 11am-1pm, starting from Wednesday 1 October - we are no longer taking enrolments for this course.

Overview

The ordinary extraordinary world of women’s lives is the subject of Elizabeth Taylor’s novels. She presents the domestic and imaginative spaces inhabited by women in prose Hilary Mantel describes as 'stylish'. At Mrs Lippincote’s, A View of the Harbour, and A Wreath of Roses are all set during and after World War 2.  In these novels, Taylor explores women as wives, lovers, friends, mothers, workers and writers.  In Angel, Taylor’s only historical fiction, she creates the career and private life of the distinctively appalling author, Angelica Deverell.  

• Elizabeth Taylor, At Mrs Lippincote’s, 1945
• Elizabeth Taylor, A View of the Harbour, 1947
• Elizabeth Taylor, A Wreath of Roses, 1949
• Elizabeth Taylor, Angel, 1957.

This course will introduce the writing of Elizabeth Taylor to new readers as well as allowing established readers to re-read and review her work. This course will appeal to anyone interested in mid twentieth century fiction. You'll be encouraged to share your ideas in seminar discussion.

Syllabus

Please note that this is indicative but not definitive.  It is possible that there may be some small changes to the format.

Week 1

• Introduction
• Elizabeth Taylor, At Mrs Lippincote’s, 1945.

Week 2

• Elizabeth Taylor, At Mrs Lippincote’s.

Week 3

• Elizabeth Taylor, A View of the Harbour, 1947.

Week 4

• Elizabeth Tayor, A Wreath of Roses, 1949.

Week 5

• Elizabeth Taylor, Angel, 1957.

Course lecturer 

At Continuing Education, Dr Shirley Jones currently runs courses on contemporary women's writing, and the thematic strand, The Monthly Novel. Previously Shirley has also taught courses on classic authors, such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins, and Dorothy Wordsworth. Shirley's PhD was a study of the Victorian writer, Margaret Oliphant.

Outside of Continuing Education, Shirley is a member of a writers' group and runs the Redbrick Writers, a community writing group, at the Victoria Gallery and Museum.

Course fee

• Standard fee: £80
• Concession fee: £40.