The second in our new series of relaxed talks bringing together books, big ideas and good conversation after hours.

The Chapters Lit Salon in association with English @ University of Chester

The next in our series of relaxed talks bringing together books, big ideas and good conversation after hours.

This time, we're exploring the stories that continue to shape how we see the world, from the dark origins of Gothic literature and what Frankenstein can tell us about our modern fears around AI, to the women of The Odyssey and how their stories have been told, retold and reimagined through the centuries.

Two short talks from two brilliant literary academics and absolutely no required reading.

The Past, Present, and Future of the Gothic

Dr. Richard Leahy explores the genesis and gestation of the Gothic genre, and where it fits today. From Mary Shelley’s creature to generative AI, Gothic literature has long explored the terrors of creation. This talk examines how Frankenstein serves as the ultimate blueprint for our modern anxieties regarding Artificial Intelligence, tracing the blurred lines separating the human creator from the conscious, and how language occupies that space in between.

Dr Richard Leahy is Course Leader for English Literature at the University of Chester. His first monograph, Literary Illumination, was published in 2018, and focuses on the evolution of representations of artificial light in literature. His teaching and research interests include the Nineteenth Century, Literature and Technology, The Gothic, and Science Fiction.

From Ithaca to Hathaway: Reading Women in The Odyssey

Homer’s iconic Odyssey has seen something of a revival this summer, with Christopher Nolan’s adaptation garnering massive global audiences. Professor Emma Rees will bring us together to reflect on speaking and silent women in the epic, considering literary reworkings (notably Margaret Atwood’s brilliant Penelopiad), translations, and – of course – the latest big-screen version.

Emma Rees is Director of the University of Chester’s Institute of Gender Studies; programme leader for the MRes in Gender Studies. Formerly Deputy Head of Department for six years. Committed to inclusive, intersectional feminist teaching, writing, and leadership.

Description supplied by the event organiser.