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Insights

Celebrating the Festive Season

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As the festive season approaches, there’s nothing quite like immersing yourself in a story that embodies the heartwarming spirit of Christmas. Whether through timeless lessons of compassion, the joy of togetherness, or a touch of magical wonder, holiday-themed literature has a special way of enhancing the season. If you’re looking to cozy up with a good book in the run-up to Christmas, here are some beloved works to inspire your festive reading list.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

No Christmas reading list would be complete without Dickens’ 1843 novella. A Christmas Carol tells the redemptive tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a curmudgeonly miser whose life is transformed by a series of ghostly visits on Christmas Eve. From the hauntingly sombre Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come to the joyous scenes of love and laughter brought by the Ghost of Christmas Present, the story reminds us of the power of kindness, generosity, and reflection. Its timeless message resonates as much today as it did nearly two centuries ago.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The opening scenes of Little Women introduce us to the March sisters—Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy—sharing what little they have to make Christmas special for others. Alcott’s depiction of family love, selflessness, and the warmth of a simple holiday celebration feels as cozy as a roaring fire on a snowy evening. This classic novel offers not just a touching Christmas moment but also a celebration of resilience and the joys of togetherness, making it a perfect choice for the season.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

While Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone isn’t a traditional Christmas story, its depiction of the holiday at Hogwarts is unforgettable. From Harry’s first-ever gifts—such as the iconic Invisibility Cloak—to the grand festive feast in the Great Hall adorned with twinkling lights and enchanted snow, the magical setting encapsulates the enchantment of Christmas. Rowling reminds readers of the importance of belonging, friendship, and the little miracles that make the holidays magical.

Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien

For something whimsical and utterly enchanting, Tolkien’s Letters from Father Christmas is a delightful choice. This collection of illustrated letters, written annually for his children, transports readers to the North Pole, where Father Christmas recounts tales of mishaps and adventures with his helpers, including the lovable but clumsy Polar Bear. It’s a charming reminder of the joy and wonder of the season, as well as Tolkien’s gift for world-building even in a light-hearted context.

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffmann

For those seeking a fairy tale steeped in holiday magic, Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King is must-read. This enchanting story introduces readers to Clara, her beloved Nutcracker, and a fantastical journey through a land of sweets and wonders. A classic that inspired the beloved ballet (and later a film starring Dame Helen Mirren), it’s a tale of bravery, dreams, and holiday enchantment that captures the imagination of readers of all ages.

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Insights

Warm Up Your December: Exciting Events at King’s English Department

With Christmas just around the corner, many of us are looking forward to cozying up with a good book and a steaming mug of hot chocolate. But before you get too comfortable, the Department of English at King’s has some exciting events lined up that you won’t want to miss! So, dust off those Christmas jumpers, and check out the latest happenings!

PGR Winter Party – December 10th

First up, for all our PGR students, we’re kicking off the festive season with a Department of English Winter Party on Tuesday, 10 December, from 6-8pm in the Somerset Room, King’s Building. It’s first-come, first-served, so don’t delay! To sign up, simply follow the link here or scan the QR code below.

Also, mark your calendars for the PGR End-of-Year Drinks Reception on Wednesday, 4 December, from 6:00-8:30pm at Strand campus. Expect a festive buffet, mulled wine (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), cocktails, and plenty of opportunities to mingle with your fellow PGR students. Sign up here to secure your spot!

Weekly PGR Research Seminars

Outside of the Christmas festivities, the department is still running its regular PGR Research Seminars every Wednesday, including on 4th and 11th December. These seminars are a great chance to dive into the latest research projects from your peers. Head over to VWB3.01 from 12:30-1:30pm to listen to presentations, engage with respondents offering constructive feedback, and contribute your own insights. These discussions are designed to help speakers reflect on their research, tackle challenges they may be facing, and foster cross-disciplinary conversations. It’s a fantastic opportunity for collaboration and intellectual growth!

Abstract Meeting – December 4th

Don’t miss the final Abstract Meeting of the semester, happening on Wednesday, 4 December, at 6:00pm in Bush House (SE) 1.05. This informal, student-led research seminar is a chance for presenters from the English and Comparative Literature departments to share their work, get feedback from their peers, and enjoy some social time. There will be wine, snacks, and—afterwards—a trip to a nearby pub for those who are in the mood to continue the conversation!

Three Minute Thesis Competition

And finally, for those looking for a little friendly competition, King’s College London is hosting a Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition this winter! This exciting challenge asks you to present your research in just three minutes—clearly, concisely, and in a way that’s accessible to a non-specialist audience. It’s a fantastic opportunity to refine your presentation and communication skills, all while competing for a £750 prize!

Want to learn more? Attend the 3MT Information Webinar on Thursday, 16 January 2025, from 12:00-12:45pm (PGR601) to get all the details and tips you’ll need to succeed.

Whether you’re looking to network, gain feedback on your research, or just have some fun, the Department of English has something for everyone this December. We can’t wait to see you at these events!

 

Interviews

Liberal Arts undergraduate student wins poetry prize!

Issy Craig-Wood, a Liberal Arts BA student in the Department of Interdisciplinary Humanities, won a poetry competition for her piece ‘Love Can Give You This Cool Shark (Journal Entry).’

Image: A Ptychodus fossil specimen, which inspired Issy’s poem. (Wikimedia Commons)

The contest, which was organised by the Young Poets Network in The Poetry Society, awarded a prize to the best poem on the theme of Poetry as (Optimistic) Prophecy.

Issy’s entry was submitted from her journal, where she writes poetry as a tool to shape her thoughts into something concrete, with intention, patterns and meaning.

I was very surprised to win this competition, the poem was written when I was very tired and submitted on an utter whim. I read the prompt for optimistic prophecy, and it linked in so well with my journal entry that I decided to submit it to the competition. I was not expecting to win, I just needed somewhere to put my thoughts that felt more significant than just on paper.

-Issy Craig-Wood, Liberal Arts BA student.

The poem was inspired by a fossilised shark uncovered in Mexico, the struggle to be optimistic, and the future of Quakerism, which Issy has been involved with since childhood.

Dr Alan Marshall, Reader in American Literature in the Department of English, was impressed by the depth of Issy’s poem.

The poem begins with a detail that seems accidental and gratuitous, but which also suggests the mysterious depths of the earth, of the ocean – a shark! But the speaker is also interested in love, hope, and learning to “look after others.” The poem seems to ask what the relationship might be between our impulse to look after others and how we respond to a creature like a shark (or a dinosaur), which on the surface doesn’t need looking after. The connective tissue is responsive joy – the readiness to take pleasure in the world we find around us, expressed as a T-shirt (“I could make that”). The poem as a T-shirt.
– Dr Alan Marshall, Reader in American Literature.
Introduction

Introducing the 2024-25 Editors

Co-Editors of the KCL English Department’s Blog Katherine Randall and Isabella Mann introduce themselves and invite submissions.

We are back for the new academic year and raring to go! This year, Katherine Randall and Isabella Mann will be editing the blog and managing the department’s social media.

We are thrilled to be working with the English department to keep you updated on all things King’s English. We would like to recognize the work of previous editors in curating this space. A big thank you to Alexander Giesen and Felix Antelme (2023-2024), Samantha Seto and Alexander Giesen (2022-2023), George Kowalik and Graham Fifoot (2021-2022), Katie Arthur and Harriet Thompson (2019-2021), Fran Allfrey and Diya Gupta (2017-2019), and Founding Editors Penny Newell and Ella Parry-Davies (2016-2017).

We invite anyone interested, from first-years to tenured professors, to submit blog posts of up to 2,000 words. Blogs can range from short reviews or reflective pieces to longer-form conversations and interviews, as well as pieces on research at any level.

If you are interested in contributing or have any other questions, please get in touch with us via the blog’s email address: blog.english.kcl@gmail.com.

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