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The Woodstock Literature Society was founded in 2009 with the aim of presenting high quality talks on literature to local book lovers, offering time to socialise after the talk with refreshment (a glass of wine at evening talks/tea and cake at afternoon talks). Since then, its reputation and membership have grown and we are pleased to welcome members and visitors from Oxfordshire and beyond.
Topics range from classic and contemporary authors, to drama, poetry, and foreign authors in translation. Our speakers include academic specialists, published authors, and literary journalists. Full details can be seen under Programmes. Please note that changes to the programme can also be found on the programme page.
Please see Membership for payment details.
For general enquiries about The Woodstock Literature Society contact: enquiries@woodstocklitsoc.co.uk
SAVE THE DATE
The Autumn Open Book Group
will meet at 11:30 on Tuesday 25th August in Woodstock Town Hall
Confirmation of the book for discussion will be announced in due course
Our next talk will be on
Tuesday, 16th June at 8:00pm
in St Hugh's Centre, Hensington Road.
Professor Seamus Perry will give a talk entitled
W H Auden: Early and Late
W H Auden is one of the great English poets of the 20th century. He was a student at Christ Church, returned as Professor of Poetry in the fifties, and retired to Oxford at the end of his life. No poet appears to be so different early and late: this talk explores the great changes in the Auden manner, along with some interesting continuities.
Professor Seamus Perry is Master-Elect of Balliol College Oxford, and the author of a forthcoming biography of W H Auden.
Those who were in the audience for our April talk when Carolyn Kirby’s presented ‘A Georgian Journey’, may recall there was a brief discussion on Aphra Behn within the Q&As. One of our members, Eleanor Wadge, has written a brief biography including a short outline of the plot of ‘Orinooko’ and why it has a claim to be considered as the first novel written in English. Eleanor comments that many might find the novel less absorbing than the racy nature of her plays. The piece can be viewed on A Good Read .
SAVE THE DATE FOR A SPECIAL EXTRA EVENT
Saturday 5th December at 3:00pm
at St Hugh’s Centre, Hensington Road.
A talk by Dame Hermione Lee
We are delighted to be able to offer members an additional talk. This will be given by the distinguished biographer Dame Hermione Lee whose book on Anita Brookner will be newly published.
We could not resist this exciting opportunity, even though it will be outside our published programme for ’26.
WLS Members will not be charged any extra for this talk.
Visitors may wish to consider an annual subscription (£30) which would cover the Summer Party and the remaining five talks of '26. If coming to all five talks plus the Summer Party as visitors the fees would total £65, so making the annual subscription well worth considering.
OPEN BOOK GROUP
The informal meetings were launched in August 2022 with a discussion of Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence. The discussions have proved increasingly popular. A full list of books discussed can be seen on A Good Read.
The group meets two or three times a year in the Town Hall on Wednesday mornings. Anyone, whether a member or not, can drop in to discuss the chosen book (All book group books are available with a generous discount of 15% at the Woodstock Bookshop). There is no booking required and a nominal fee of £3 per person will be requested to cover the room hire.
Attendees are invited to submit suggestions for future discussion, a shortlist is drawn-up and a poll taken to decide the next book.
Church Kneeler
St Mary Magdalene Church, Woodstock
A selection of images used in publicity posters for previous talks
Whether you are a reader, a writer, or a poet, Woodstock Literature Society welcomes your input and suggestions for future talks.
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