The Victorian Short Story Reading Group has regular meetings to explore some of the exciting material from the golden age of the British short story, which began during the latter part of the nineteenth century.
Current Theme: Colonial Short Stories: New Zealand
After Christmas will be continuing our colonial globe-trotting tour in time and space of nineteenth century New Zealand. As with other areas of the globe we have encountered thus far, the stories will cover portrayals of settlers, indigenous First Nations people, cultural differences, the landscape, and the flora and fauna.
‘Married for his Money’ by Clara Cheeseman
(first published 1878)
Here Cheeseman shows how the class consciousness of the UK has influenced life in the colonies and, in this story, we wrestle with the social mores and dilemmas of marrying for love, money or status.
Upon registration you will receive a link to an on-line copy of the text and, as it is a short story group, it will require no more than an evening’s preparation to read the required material.
Sessions take place monthly between October and June at a venue in Chiswick, London, W4 1TT, between 7 and 8.30 pm. At each session there is a brief introduction to the work, followed by a group discussion in a relaxed atmosphere, with wine and nibbles supplied.
Image: Their Royal Highnesses the Duke & Duchess of Cornwall & York meet Māori warriors in 1901