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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
Our next talk will be on Saturday 21st November
at 3.00pm in St Hugh's Centre, Hensington Road
David Grylls will present his talk Elizabeth Gaskell: Pioneering Novelist
Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865) was a major Victorian novelist who combined gritty realism with emotional empathy. She pioneered the 'condition of England' novel, focussing on northern inducstrial life, setting romance at war with class conflict in Mary Barton and North and South. She also wrote perceptively about love, marriage and sexual prejudice in novels such as Ruth and Wives and Daughters.
David Grylls is a Fellow of Kellogg College, Oxford, whose publications include books on Dickens and Gissing.
OPEN BOOK GROUP
Wednesday 25th November at 11:30
in Woodstock Town Hall
will meet to discuss The Warden by Anthony Trollope.
Everyone welcome, no need to pre-book.
Entry: £3.00 (cash preferred)
We were delighted to see Christ Church’s announcement that Laura Swift has been appointed by the King as the Regius Professor of Greek. Professor Swift gave the opening talk of this year’s Programme and will be returning next June with her talk on The Odyssey. In the meantime, many congratulations to Laura.
Anne Handsley's review of
Jane Thynne's talk on Saturday, 24th October - Tales from Trent Park: How Life Becomes Fiction is available on Reviews & Gallery
If you enjoyed our January Open Book Group discussion of the Elif Shafak novel The Island of Missing Trees you may enjoy the interview by John Wilson with the author on the BBC Radio 4's This Cultural Life, broadcast released on 24th September. She was also the guest on BBC Radio 3's Private Passions on 18th October. Both programmes are available on BBC Sounds.
Suggested by Tony McHugh
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.
Master the Art of Historical Fiction
This unique one-year course consists of 10 whole day masterclasses held in person in Oxford on the last Friday of each month. The next course starts on 29th January 2027.
Under the expert guidance of award-winning author and creative writing teacher Rebecca Abrams, you will learn all the essential skills and techniques needed to create an original and truly compelling work of historical fiction.
Each masterclass includes topic-based seminars, group workshopping, reading and writing assignments, and personalised one-to-one feedback from Rebecca. You will also have the opportunity to meet industry experts with specially invited guest authors, agents and publishers.
To secure your place go to www.oxfordcreativewriting.co.uk
or email Rebecca directly at rebecca@oxfordcreativewriting.co.uk.
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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