The Battle of the Books
Saturday 29 October 2005
10.30 – 12 noon
Critics on trial
Contemporary criticism ranges from academic treatises on esoteric aspects of literature to cribs from press releases accompanied by cursory star ratings. But there are critics who write substantial reviews for a general reader, and papers that publish them. With more books now being sold than ever before, are these critics simply guides to the market, or can they hope to deepen the audience’s appreciation of books, and help drive innovation? Is the notion of the critic as an authority hopelessly outdated? Is judgement ultimately subjective, and verdicts valid at best for particular genres or sectors of the market? How influential are critics anyway?
Michael Caines assistant editor, Times Literary Supplement
Dr David Herd author of Mandelson! Mandelson! A Memoir (Carcanet), and Senior Lecturer in English at the University of Kent
Miranda Seymour novelist and biographer, author The Bugatti Queen
Ian Shuttleworth theatre critic, Financial Times
Erica Wagner literary editor, The Times
Chair: Tiffany Jenkins Academy of Ideas
1.30 – 3pm
The battle for the canon
As the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority’s English 21 project re-examines what literature young people should be taught in the 21st century and popular classics now include non literary works such as the Da Vinci Code and Harry Potter, what makes a novel canonic in 2005? Is the whole idea of a literary canon outmoded and snobbish? Some say the canon is no more than the privileging of Dead White European Males by the elites who run the literary establishment. But does the converse demand that writers be included because the of ‘voices’ they represent rather than the quality of their work, lead to a celebration of the second-rate. Who and what should decide the literary merits of ‘great books’?
Dr Gary Day lecturer in English at De Montfort University
Dr Robert Eaglestone Senior Lecturer in Contemporary and Twentieth Century literature
Professor Mary Evans Professor of Women’s Studies, University of Kent
Joanna Williams English teacher and educational researcher
Chair: Jennie Bristow commissioning editor, spiked
3.30 – 5pm
The battle of the books
Different books and genres speak to different people. A panel will argue why their favourite genre is the most inspirational form of literature. A light-hearted but deadly serious exchange of passions.
Literary Fiction - Emilie Bickerton Art and Film critic
Poetry - Shirley Dent Academy of Ideas
Plays and Theatre - Annette Mees theatre director
Comic Books - Sandy Starr technology editor, spiked
Crime Fiction - Martin Summers director of symposium on Brave New World
Chair: Geoff Kidder Academy of Ideas
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