Magic and Fantasy in Literature

Robert Raymer forwarded this information about a course taught by Alina Rastam to me and I think some of you will be interested :

 Magic and Fantasy in Literature

i) Course Description

Some of the most enduring and best-loved works of literature such as The Lord of the Rings, the Harry Potter series, The Chronicles of Narnia and Alice in Wonderland are those that are set in a fantasy world, in which magic is a prime feature. It is clear that many people are fascinated by the genre of magic and fantasy. But what is it that we find so attractive about this genre? And can texts set in imaginary or fantasy worlds say anything of importance about the real life concerns and issues that we face or do they just pander to the escapist in us?

‘Magic and Fantasy in Literature’ is a seven-week course that will explore such questions through study of the following four texts:

• Two Arthurian short stories: i) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and ii) Gawain and the Loathely Lady, from Rosemary Sutcliff’s The Sword and the Circle.
• A Dark Horn Blowing by Dahlov Ipcar
• A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin

Participants will address general questions to do with the genre of magic and fantasy as well as study each of the texts in depth so as to understand the particular concerns and issues of each writer and text. No background in literary study is necessary – just a keen desire to open up to the worlds of magic and fantasy within the four exquisite texts we will be exploring in this course, and within yourself.

ii) Course Details

Classes will be held every Saturday afternoon starting on the 22nd of May.

Class Schedule: Class 1 – May 22
Class 2 – May 29
Class 3 – June 5
Class 4 – June 12
Class 5 – June 19
Class 6 – June 26
Class 7 – July 3.
Saturdays 3-5pm
Venue: 15 Persiaran Syed Putra, 50460 Kuala Lumpur (near Taman Seputeh, Brickfields).
Course Fees: RM600 per person. Full payment for the course to be made upfront and no refunds will be given.

Happy World Book Day!

Happy World Book Day!

This is actually British World Book day, not the UNESCO World Book Day. (Explanation of why we have two versions of the same day to celebrate in Malaysia here.) All over the UK special events are planned ...

I found myself turning up to the NTV7 studios at an ungodly hour to chat about reading and encouraging writing in Malaysia on The Breakfast Show. Fortunately, I was a bit more relaxed than the first time I was on TV (when I'm told I didn't once look at the camera!).

On with me in a first segment was a lady (Pn Norliza?) from the National Library who told us about some of the schemes the library is involved with - especially increasing the number of rural libraries and putting on events for kids. There is still no plan for an effective nationwide reading campaign - involving everyone, and not only the library members - which is really want this country needs, but it's good to hear that library membership is up. (Across the country there are 6.4 million library members which I reckon is pretty good.)

In the second segment I was with poet/creative writing teacher Alina Rastam which was just great because we share a lot of enthusiasms and hopes. We talked about ways of encouraging writing.

I felt ... yes frustrated. There is so much that needs to be said, and which I think viewers would be interested to hear ... but how much can you get across in just a few minutes? But I did manage to slip in something about We Need A Writer's Centre.

Alina's Beloved

Alina Rastam launches a new collection of poetry Saturday 21st March at 6.30 p.m. at Central Market. (For full details click the poster up to size.) Here's my review of her previous collection, in case you missed it.

The launch is open to all but please do let Alina know if you are coming so she can estimate refreshments.

AWAM Empowerment

Talking (as I was the other day) about the need to encourage women's voices in writing ...

... it was really good to read in the Star about the Writers for Women’s Rights Programme organised by All-Women’s Action Society (AWAM) and especially to hear how the participants feel writing has helped and empowered them:

One of them, Ng Tze Yeng, who runs a design and advertising agency with other partners, said: “It is an empowering experience and I underwent personal transformation. I used to feel angry and small before this.” ... Another writer Vizla Kumaresan, a graduate student, said it gave her confidence and now she had a sense of substance. ... Sasha Surandran, a lecturer, also discovered that during the programme she had written about women’s struggles within themselves.

A collection of the participants' poetry, prose, fiction and autobiographical pieces, Women Speak Out, has just been launched and is available at Awam at RM15 per copy. The book is edited by Alina Rastam who also coordinated the programme.

The next programme runs from Nov 22 to 25. Contact AWAM for details (03-7877-4221 or e-mail to awam@awam.org.my)

Diving Deeper

In today's Star Two, my review of Alina Rastam's first collection of poetry Diver & Other Poems. My first review of any poetry book in fact so a little bit of a scary venture and I hope I hit the right note. I did very much enjoy the collection and there are several poems that I've gone back to reread several times ... will probably extemporise a bit more on the Puisi-Poesy blog which I have been shamefully neglecting for the last few weeks. (Sorry, Dreamer Idiot!)

Alina is one of the readers tomorrow at Seksan's and we have an altogether great lineup, although sadly Martin Axe isn't going to be able to make it.