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Fantasy at Oxford
Oxford - the city and the University - has been a centre for fantasy writers. From Lewis Carroll to Philip Pullman it has seen numerous writers live here, teach here, or study here. In this series of podcasts we celebrate some of the major writers and their texts (note there is also a full collection on Tolkien) and also touch on subjects such as the 'Oxford School of Fantasy'. Importantly we also include podcasts on the many collections in Oxford's libraries highlighting some of the key material related to fantasy literature.
To begin with read this introductory essay on the topic.
If you enjoy these podcasts on 'Fantasy Literature' we would love to hear your feedback. Please complete a short survey at: https://oxford.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/oxford-fantasy-podcasts.
# | Title | Description | Contributor |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Arthur Rackham at Trinity College |
Emma Sillett, Trinity College Librarian, and Dr Caroline Batten explore the Danson Library's... |
Emma Sillett, Caroline Batten |
2 | The Oxford Dodo: Culture at the Crossroads |
Author Jasper Fforde (writer of the Thursday Next series) presents ‘The Oxford Dodo: Culture at... |
Jasper fforde |
3 | Morte D'Arthur Murals in the Oxford Union |
A visual discussion of the Morte D'Arthur murals in the library of the Oxford Union by Tom... |
Tom Corrick, Caroline Batten |
4 | Re-Enchanted: The Rise of Children’s Fantasy Literature in the Twentieth Century |
Maria Sachiko Cecire introduces the idea of an Oxford School of children’s fantasy literature,... |
Maria Sachiko Cecire |
5 | Diana Wynne Jones |
A brief introduction to the writer Diana Wynne Jones – one of the 'Oxford School'. |
Gabriel Schenk |
6 | Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' |
Margaret Kean explores how Philip Pullman plays with the idea of communication across different... |
Margaret Kean |
7 | The Stories of Lewis Carroll, J.R.R. Tolkien and Philip Pullman |
Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, Stuart Lee and Margaret Kean explore the digital afterlives of these... |
Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, Stuart Lee, Margaret Kean |
# | Title | Description | Contributor |
---|---|---|---|
1 | A Conversation with Katherine Langrish |
Dr Caroline Batten chats with author Katherine Langrish about her book 'From Spare Oom to War... |
Caroline Batten, Katherine Langrish |
2 | C. S. Lewis and 'The Wind in the Willows' |
A discussion of the influence of 'The Wind in the Willows' on fantasy writers - notably C. S.... |
Simon Horobin |
3 | William Morris and E. R. Eddison Collections at the Bodleian |
An interview with Rachael Marsay about the William Morris and E. R. Eddison collections at the... |
Rachael Marsay, Stuart Lee |
4 | A Walk around C. S. Lewis's Oxford |
Using the geographic touch points in Oxford, Professor Simon Horobin of Magdalen College, Oxford... |
Simon Horobin |
5 | Tolkien's Favourite Tree - The Black Pine |
Short audio description of the Black Pine tree, a favourite of Tolkien which also appears at the... |
Timothy Walker |
6 | Susan Cooper |
A short talk on Susan Cooper, whose children's fantasy literature books are often labelled as... |
Tom Morcom |
7 | Tolkien Archive and Exhibition at Bodleian (Pt 2) |
Interview with Catherine McIlwaine, Tolkien Archivist at the Bodleian. This second part deals... |
Stuart Lee, Catherine McIlwaine |
8 | Tolkien Archive and Exhibition at Bodleian (Pt 1) |
Interview with Catherine McIlwaine, the Tolkien Archivist, by Stuart Lee on the Tolkien archive... |
Stuart Lee, Catherine McIlwaine |
9 | J.R.R. Tolkien: Medievalist and Mythmaker |
These lectures cover an introduction to J R R Tolkien's career, show how medieval literature... |
Stuart Lee |
10 | Alan Garner |
This short lecture offers an overview of the fantasy writer Alan Garner's early fiction, from... |
Felix Taylor |
11 | Interview: Catherine Butler |
An interview with Dr Catherine Butler (Cardiff University) by Will Brockbank (Oxford). Dr Butler... |
Catherine Butler, Will Brockbank |
12 | Oxford Literary Festival 2010 Pieces of Places Discussion The Weirdstone of Brisingamen |
Alan Garner, Mark Edmonds, and Robert Powell take part in a discussion on the subject of pieces... |
Alan Garner, Mark Edmonds, Robert Powell |
13 | Oxford Literary Festival 2010 Pieces of Places - Reading of Alan Garner's Work |
The 50th anniversary of the publication of Alan Garner's first novel, The Weirdstone of... |
Robert Powell, Alan Garner |
14 | Oxford Literary Festival 2010 By Seven Firs and Goldenstone - An account of the Legend of Alderley |
Alan Garner gives an illustrated lecture on the Legend of Alderley. This version of the myth of... |
Alan Garner |
15 | Philip Pullman: Lyra's Oxford, Bodleian Library Masterclass |
Acclaimed author of His Dark Materials Philip Pullman is interviewed by Margaret Kean on his new... |
Philip Pullman, Margaret Kean |
# | Resource Title | Description | Contributor |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Teaching Pack (Slides and Guide) - Alice in Wonderland |
A set of slides and a teacher's guide for 'Alice in Wonderland'. |
Caroline Batten |