Living Together and Apart in the Modern World

Class Description

We will read four contemporary novels of significant literary merit: Jane Gardam's Old Filth; William Maxwell's So Long, See You Tomorrow; Ian McEwan's On Chesil Beach; Michael Cunningham's The Hours. We will consider how each novel exquisitely captures the complexity of relationships in our time. In addition, we will explore the authors' varied backgrounds, their different styles, and the moral questions they raise. Finally, we will view author interviews and/or readings.

Linda Levine (MA in English Education from Northwestern University) has taught English and Humanities for several decades, including previous seminars at the Newberry Library and at Oakton College.

Materials List

Required

• Gardham, Jane, Old Filth. Europa Editions, 2006. ISBN: 978-1933372136

• Maxwell, William, So Long, See You Tomorrow. Vintage Books, 1996. ISBN: 978-0679767206
• Cunningham, Michael, The Hours. Picador Modern Classics, 2000. ISBN: 978-0312243029
• McEwan, Ian, On Chesil Beach. Knopf Doubleday, 2008. ISBN: 978-0307386175

First Reading

• Read Old Filth by Jane Gardham, p. 1-128 (the first 11 chapters)

A Brief Syllabus

1. Old Filth—Pt 1
2. Old Filth—Pt 2
3. So Long, See You Tomorrow
4. The Hours—Pt 1
5. The Hours—Pt 2
6. On Chesil Beach

Cost and Registration

6 Sessions, $270 ($243 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.

We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($270), Community Supported ($255), and Sponsor ($285). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.

To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.

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