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
When reading group restarts after the summer holidays, we will be continuing with our time and space, globe-trotting colonial tour, which will next land in 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.
‘The Disappearance of Lethan Crouch’ by Chas Owen
(first published in the New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, 1901)
An ardent missionary who tries to learn about Māori religious beliefs in order to disprove them, experiences a weird occurrence. How and why is this brought about? Are there elements of the supernatural at play here?
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