CLAIM YOUR FREE BOOK!
They Knew Mr Knight is one of Blackburn author Dorothy Whipple’s most popular novels – a family centred drama which deals with temptation, corruption and trust. As part of the literary event “Reading Dorothy Whipple: A Blackburn Literary Landmark” copies of the book are available free of charge (while stocks last) at Blackburn Museum. Just call in and ask at the desk.
The event takes place on 9th November at Blackburn Central Library, when the book will be discussed and the 1946 film of the book will be shown.
The event is part of the Being Human Festival. Being Human is the UK’s national festival of the humanities.
Welcome to ‘Reading Dorothy Whipple: A Blackburn Literary Landmark’
When: Saturday 9th November, 1pm-4pm
Where: Hornby Lecture Theatre, Blackburn with Darwen Central Library, Town Hall Street, Blackburn BB2 1AG
‘Reading Dorothy Whipple’ will engage with reading groups in and around Blackburn, in reading one of this Blackburn author’s most popular novels. They Knew Mr Knight is a family centred drama which deals with temptation, corruption and trust. The groups will meet at Blackburn with Darwen Central Library to discuss the book, and the eponymous 1946 film. We’ll look at the relevance of the novel for today’s audiences and discuss how both local and university libraries can help readers to connect with our literary past.
The event is part of the Being Human Festival. Being Human is the UK’s national festival of the humanities. A celebration of humanities research through public engagement, it is led by the School of Advanced Study(Opens in new window) at the University of London, the UK’s national centre for the pursuit, support and promotion of research in the humanities. The festival works in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council(Opens in new window) and the British Academy(Opens in new window) to support humanities public engagement across the UK.
Copies of the 1934 novel will be distributed to reading groups in Blackburn in late September. The groups will read the novel independently. All groups will come together at the Blackburn with Darwen Central Library during the first week of the Being Human Festival.
At this meeting, representatives from the reading groups will share their experiences of reading the novel. We’ll enjoy some tea and cake and then watch the film. Following the screening there will be a discussion of the novel and the film led by representatives of each group and a Being Human panel including Cynthia Johnston, (IES, SAS), Lucy Evans (Head of Collections, Senate House Library and Simon Thomas (Series Consultant for British Library Women Writers).
As you read and discuss the book, you might consider these questions:
- Does this 90-year-old novel have relevance to us today as readers? If so, what sort?
- The novel was a ‘Book Society’ choice when it was published ensuring huge sales; do you think it would sell as well today? Is there a contemporary best seller with similar themes?
- Dorothy Whipple was always on the side of women in her novels, a proto-feminist in many ways, do you think the lives of women and their choices have changed dramatically since the novel was written?
The schedule for the event is:
1pm-1:45pm: Discussion of novel with representatives of reading groups
1:45pm-2pm: Break for tea and cake
2pm-3:30pm: Screening of film
3:30pm-3:50pm: Discussion of film with reading group reps and panel members
3:50pm-4pm: Concluding remarks
To book a free ticket please contact:
Blackburn with Darwen Central Library:
And finally, when you have finished reading your book, please would you pass it on to another reader!
Any questions on this event please contact Dr Cynthia Johnston:
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