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 Revenge of her Race’, by Mary Beaumont
(Published in the 1895 collection A Ringby Lass)
Here the colonial structure brings two different ethnicities together but also creates the racial tensions that cause disharmony. The boundaries between simple humanity and cultural heritage become blurred and a young mother is torn between two cultures
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