By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)
The word ‘girl’, like many everyday words which we might assume have perfectly ordinary and straightforward histories, actually has a surprising etymology. To explore the origins of the word ‘girl’ we need to think about both the word’s etymological meaning and its use over time.
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)
‘The Land Ironclads’ is one of the most prophetic short stories by H. G. Wells (1866-1946), a writer who made more than his fair share of accurate prophecies. First published in the Strand magazine in December 1903, the story anticipated the invention of the tank in modern warfare some thirteen years before the first tanks were deployed.
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)
Fancy a very short story about voyeurism, exhibitionism, and titillation? Raymond Carver’s story ‘The Idea’ has all three, and in his trademark minimalist style and utilising first-person narration, he presents us with a short tale told by a suburban housewife who takes an unhealthy interest in her neighbours’ nighttime activities.
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)
‘The Plattner Story’ is a short story by H. G. Wells (1866-1946), whom Brian Aldiss dubbed ‘the Shakespeare of science fiction’. This story demonstrates why. Originally published in the New Review in 1896, the story concerns a schoolteacher who accidentally projects himself into another world.
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)
‘Crossover’ is a 1971 short story by Octavia Butler (1947-2006), first published in the anthology Clarion before being included in Butler’s short-story collection Bloodchild and Other Stories. This very short story explores a number of themes including poverty, hopelessness, addiction, and the blurred line between reality and illusion, as the story’s protagonist, Jane, struggles with her dependence on alcohol.