Fictionality Forum 3

The Fictionality Forum is an occasional opportunity for those of us with research interests relating to fictionality to get better acquainted with each other's work. It is a Fictionality Group initiative, and reflects the group's shared interests in fictionality and cultural specificity; the group cuts across the four research schools, and participation is open to all research students and staff.  

Forum meetings typically involve one or two of us briefly introducing a piece of our own recent work, which will have been circulated in advance, followed by open discussion. The introductions serve mainly to explain how we think the work relates to the group's common interests (though we also prime the group for what to look for when we first distribute the material). The meetings last about an hour, and are held towards the end of the day, with wine, in order to cultivate a relaxed atmosphere.

On this occasion the reading is Henry Bainton's essay, "Letters, history fiction", which provides our first opportunity to discuss the question of fictionality in a medieval context. The essay will be distributed in advance to all those expressing an interest (via email to Richard Walsh), along with a brief contextualizing headnote from Henry.

There will be a group going out for a meal afterwards; if you'd like to dine, please say so when you request the readings.