Tag: literature

Portrait of Sarah Waters beside a illustration of a stack of books on a light pink background
LGBT+, Love

Sarah Waters: The Queen of Vintage Lesbians

By Aruni Deraniyagala What is the ÔÇ£lesbian agendaÔÇØ? For Sarah Waters, it means putting more wlw (women who love women) stories out into the world. Born in Pembrokeshire, Wales in 1966, Waters was encouraged to engage in artistic hobbies from a young age by her father. She particularly loved writing poems and stories. Despite this clear passion for story-telling, it wasnÔÇÖt until she was much … Continue reading Sarah Waters: The Queen of Vintage Lesbians

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Creative Writing, Literature

Number 158

by Phoebe Bowers. It heads a heavy breath An inhale exiled And awaiting  Grey skies above the suspended bridge over the Severn. Rat infested. Bin bags out on the streets, their aborted insides exploded on the concrete. Terraced house terraced house terraced house terraced house terraced house. Fifty shades of brown, beige, and grey. Sunshine in the day. Thirty different corners bookended by your local … Continue reading Number 158

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Literature

Self-Help Books that Changed my Perspective on Life

by Maja Metera ÔÇ£It canÔÇÖt be that simpleÔǪ – she thought to herselfÔÇØ┬á┬á- self-help books that changed my perspective on life If it was up to me ÔÇô I would probably send every single person for at least few therapy sessions as we do not live in a vacuum without influencing each otherÔÇÖs lives. In my opinion, psychotherapy helps not only understand ourselves better but … Continue reading Self-Help Books that Changed my Perspective on Life

mmetera
Literature

The Downfall of John Green

Words by Catarina Vicente Image: Richmond Free Press When I read ÔÇÿThe Fault in Our StarsÔÇÖ, John Green was enjoying a newfound wave of popularity. There was a rush of adoration and praise towards the book-turned-movie, and any criticism the book received was ignored amidst a crush of positivity. For months after the movieÔÇÖs release, social media was awash with black and white photos of … Continue reading The Downfall of John Green

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Film & TV, Literature

The Femme Fatale in Literature and Film

by Eve Davies. Literature is saturated with femme fatales: mysterious, seductive female characters whose charms ensnare men into their grasp. Her overt sexuality is her chief weapon, greed is her underlying desire, and her fate is bleak, without redemption. ItÔÇÖs a misogynistic archetype; some would say a product of the male crime writerÔÇÖs anxiety about his diminished standing in the literary landscape. To name a … Continue reading The Femme Fatale in Literature and Film

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Creative Writing, Literature

Exams; a poem

by Aruni Deraniyagala. Sitting at my desk, A hundred broken resolutions Empty pages Unopened books Staring at a wall, my mind wondering Painting pictures Writing stories A million other things IÔÇÖd rather be doing than Sitting here Imagining A million other lives I could be living right now Sleeping Eating Just messing around Music blaring in the background Coffee Chocolate I should be outside Dancing … Continue reading Exams; a poem

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Literature

Book Recommendations Based on Your Zodiac Sign

by Suraya Rumbold-Kazzuz Capricorn:┬á As a serious and independent person, Capricorns will often reach all of their goals and do everything they set out to do. These are some very admirable traits, but sometimes Capricorn you could do with some light-hearted fun. This is why the book┬áEverything I know about Love┬áby Dolly Alderton is great for you. The novel will feed your appetite for more … Continue reading Book Recommendations Based on Your Zodiac Sign

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Literature

Quench’s Year in Books: 2020

Jasmine Snow on Olive by Emma Gannon Olive is the debut novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author, Emma Gannon. Olive is about a woman of the same name, who is struggling to come to terms with the fact that she does not want children. As she does so, she reflects back on her University days which she spent with her three best friends and where they are today. Bea married young … Continue reading Quench’s Year in Books: 2020

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Literature

Festive Books to Get You Ready for Christmas

Contributions by Alexa Price and Katie Waits. Alexa Price – A Letter from Santa Claus by Mark Twain Everyone can agree by now that nothing makes Christmas quite as special as the presence of children; that pure rush of excitement at 7 am is enough to make anyone believe in Santa Claus all over again. Mark Twain encapsulates this warm feeling in A Letter from … Continue reading Festive Books to Get You Ready for Christmas

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Literature

Why Do We Find Classics So Boring?

by Alex Daud Briggs Throughout our childhood there were a number of books that were pushed on us to read and appreciate, stories that have supposedly shaped society and revolutionised the culture we see today. Unfortunately, thereÔÇÖs often a chance that upon actually reading through these, they may seem just a bit dull. But why is that? These are some of the best works of … Continue reading Why Do We Find Classics So Boring?

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Literature

Review: A Promised Land by Barack Obama

By Suraya Kazzuz In light of the current political climate, it seems that Barack ObamaÔÇÖs newly published memoir, A Promised Land, couldnÔÇÖt have come at a better time. After a tumultuous four years following Obamas precedency, it is refreshing to reminisce or discover a time which was, if not necessarily better than the times we live in now, certainly more hopeful and less erratic.  Barack ObamaÔÇÖs eloquent … Continue reading Review: A Promised Land by Barack Obama

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Literature

Breaking the Norm: Poetry Outside the Pages

by Hope Docherty. Poetry itself can be collectively grouped as a genre of literature conveying an emotional response to an experience/ image personal to the poet. This emotional response is then intensified with the style and rhythm of the language chosen to show to the reader. Though is this academic grouping enough in 2020? Social media has created a new platform for poets to present … Continue reading Breaking the Norm: Poetry Outside the Pages

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Literature

Our Favourite Literary Tropes

Katie Waits on Friends to Lovers There are tropes we love, tropes we hate, those that are overused and others that we wish were appreciated more. There are many romantic tropes that frequently appear in literature, including the friends-to-lovers trope. Although often very unrealistic, with the power to ruin dating expectations, friends-to-lovers is, if well-written, a wonderful trope. Usually, I donÔÇÖt seek out romance novels, … Continue reading Our Favourite Literary Tropes

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Film & TV, Literature

The Manic Pixie Dream Girl in Literature and Film

by Megan Evans. The ÔÇÿManic Pixie Dream GirlÔÇÖ is that character that every teenage girl idolises (well, I for one can certainly say that this was the case for me). She is so effortless and carefree, and itÔÇÖs a well-known popular term that resembles the woman that ÔÇÿexists solely in the fevered imaginations of sensitive writer-directorsÔÇÖ. These young women aim to teach men to embrace … Continue reading The Manic Pixie Dream Girl in Literature and Film

mevans
Literature

The Real Origin of the Marvel Universe ÔÇô Marvel Comics

by Nicole Rees-Williams The Marvel Cinematic Universe is arguably the most successful film franchise of our generation. ItÔÇÖs hard to think back to a time before Marvel dominated our screens in both film and television, so today we will be taking a look back at the true origin of the Marvel Universe, the comics.  Comic books used to have a reputation, this reputation pinned comic … Continue reading The Real Origin of the Marvel Universe ÔÇô Marvel Comics

nicolereeswilliams
Literature

Poetry as a Cultural Weapon: Black Poets and the Power of Spoken Word

by Ona Ojo. ÔÇÿI began to write verse, not only because I liked it, but because it was a way of expressing the anger, the passion of the youth of my generation.ÔÇÖ – Linton Kwesi Johnson YouÔÇÖve stumbled across spoken word before. You may have watched a few viral performances, from HBO’s Def Poetry or on the Button Poetry and Youth Speaks channels on Youtube. … Continue reading Poetry as a Cultural Weapon: Black Poets and the Power of Spoken Word

Ona
Creative Writing, Literature

Short Story – Kingfisher

by Katherine Wheeler Jean lifted the cup to her lips and took a sip, clinking her teeth against the bone china edges. The tea was cold, a little stale from some time on the mantelpiece. SheÔÇÖd picked the leaves herself, when sheÔÇÖd still believed in health kicks and quick fixes, an age ago. Beside her an armchair rocked a whispered beat into the ground, pushing dimples … Continue reading Short Story – Kingfisher

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Literature

Classic VS Retelling

Words by Bonnie Wileman Most of us had our introduction to Greek mythology as kids, whether singing along to DisneyÔÇÖs Hercules or immersing ourselves in the Percy Jackson series. The Greek gods have become household names despite the fact we no longer pray to them or leave them offerings in the form of a sacrificed goat, and although our childhood favourites revived this culture, itÔÇÖs … Continue reading Classic VS Retelling

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Literature

Gringa Girl: Author Lauren Dittmer on Her Debut Novel

The story begins at Heathrow Airport. Lily arrives tearful and anxious, doing a bad job at putting on a brave face for the sake of her parents. Although overwhelmed and regretting the decisions she made that brought her here, she is determined to see her plans through and become the carefree and confident girl she wants to be.  Lily is embarking on a backpacking trip … Continue reading Gringa Girl: Author Lauren Dittmer on Her Debut Novel

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