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• BO112 French Lit for Fun

  • Start
    11 Oct 2023
  •  
  • End
    13 Dec 2023
  •  
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    Zoom online
  • Spaces left
    5

  Register

  Course Description

  Discover and discuss contemporary classics in this lively class for high-intermediate and advanced French speakers. You’ll read a book at home, either a short novel or play, then participate in a class discussion. The instructor will supply context and cultural elements, as well as discussion questions intended to spark reflection and debate. In the spirit of literary cafés, the class will help you gain a deeper knowledge of French societal issues and controversies.

  For the fall term, we will read Annie Ernaux’s La Place,  a short novel written after her father's death; Incendies, a play by Canadian-Lebanese author Wajdi Mouawad which was later made into a film by Canadian director Denis Villeneuve; and Le consentement by Vanessa Springora, a powerful look at her complicated involvement with the writer Gabriel Matzneff who pursued her when she was 14 and he was 50. A film based on the book is due in October.

  About the instructor

  Bleuenn Simon has taught French literature and French as a second language for over 18 years in France and in the United States. She is also a theater teacher, amateur actress, and author.

   

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• LD141 Booker Book Club: Treacle Walker

  • When
    14 Dec 2023
  •  
    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    120 rue la Boétie, Ground floor, Paris 75008
  • Spaces left
    11

  Register

  

  Joe Coppock squints at the world with his lazy eye. He reads his comics, collects birds’ eggs and treasures his marbles, particularly his prized dobbers. When Treacle Walker appears off the moor one day - a wanderer, a healer - an unlikely friendship is forged and the young boy is introduced to a world he could never have imagined.

  In this playful, moving and evocative fable the masterly Alan Garner delivers both a stunning fusion of myth and folklore and a profound exploration of the fluidity of time.

  – The Booker Prizes

  
  

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• LD151 Café Littéraire: Personne (No One), by Gwenaëlle Aubry

  • When
    15 Dec 2023
  •  
    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    120 rue la Boétie, 75008 (ground floor), 75008
  • Spaces left
    7

  Register

  Winner of the 2009 Prix Femina, this semi-autobiographical book delves into the complexities of mental illness and the relationship between a daughter and her father, who suffers from bipolar disorder.

  The novel is structured uniquely, with each chapter titled after an alphabetical letter, each representing a different aspect or identity of her father. This stylistic choice reflects the fragmented and multifaceted nature of both her father's personality and the impact of his illness on their lives. The narrative blends reality with fiction, philosophy with personal narrative, creating a poignant and introspective exploration of identity, memory, and the struggle to understand a loved one's mental illness.

  Lauréat du prix Femina 2009, ce livre semi-autobiographique aborde les complexités de la maladie mentale et la relation entre une fille et son père, qui souffre de troubles bipolaires.
  
  Le roman est structuré de manière unique, chaque chapitre étant intitulé d'après une lettre alphabétique, chacune représentant un aspect ou une identité différente de son père. Ce choix stylistique reflète la nature fragmentée et multiforme de la personnalité de son père et l'impact de sa maladie sur leur vie. Le récit mêle réalité et fiction, philosophie et récit personnel, créant une exploration poignante et introspective de l'identité, de la mémoire et de la lutte pour comprendre la maladie mentale d'un être cher.
  
  Gwenaëlle Aubry's work is known for its deep philosophical undertones, influenced by her background in philosophy. "Personne" has been recognized for its literary merit and has received critical acclaim for its insightful and empathetic portrayal of mental illness and its effects on family dynamics.

  L'œuvre de Gwenaëlle Aubry est connue pour ses nuances philosophiques profondes, influencées par sa formation en philosophie. "Personne" a été reconnu pour ses qualités littéraires et a été salué par la critique pour sa description empathique de la maladie mentale et de ses effets sur la dynamique familiale.
  

  The door code and telephone number will be sent with the 1-day reminder email.
  

  About the Organizer
  

  Victoria Wilhelm, who will be leading the discussion, is a graduate student in French Literature and Culture at the Sorbonne, in Paris.
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• LJ051 Play Reading

  • When
    05 Jan 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    To Be Determined
  • Spaces left
    12

  On the 1st Friday of the month, WICE has a cold play reading group that is open to all WICE members. This group gathers and reads out loud various plays that meet the following criteria:

  • English language 
  • Award winning
  • One or two acts
  • 6 - 9 characters

  Plays are chosen on a month-to-month basis primarily (but not exclusively) from the candidate list of plays located on our webpage, From Page to Stage: Readings of Award-Winning Plays.

  
  

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• LJ111 Booker Book Club

  • When
    11 Jan 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    To be announced
  • Spaces left
    9

  A monthly discussion of a Booker Prize winning (or short-listed) novel, generally in the afternoon of the 2nd Thursday of the month.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• LJ261 Café Littéraire - Nos Richesses (Our Riches), by Kaouther Adimi

  • When
    26 Jan 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    To Be Announced
  • Spaces left
    9

  

  "Our Riches" by Kaouther Adimi is a novel originally written in French under the title "Nos richesses." Published in 2017, it has garnered significant acclaim for its exploration of cultural and historical themes.
  
  The novel is a blend of fiction and non-fiction, interweaving the story of the real-life Les Vraies Richesses, a famous bookstore and publishing house in Algiers, with a fictional narrative. The bookstore was founded in the 1930s by Edmond Charlot, a notable publisher who played a significant role in the literary world, especially in championing French and North African literature.
  
  The narrative alternates between the past and present, weaving together the story of Charlot and his bookstore with the fictional tale of a young man named Ryad, who is tasked with clearing out the bookstore in 2017. Through these parallel narratives, Adimi delves into the rich literary and cultural history of Algeria, especially during the French colonial period.
  
  

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  "« Nos Richesses » de Kaouther Adimi est un roman initialement écrit en français sous le titre « Nos richesses ». Publié en 2017, il a reçu un accueil critique important pour son exploration des thèmes culturels et historiques.
  
  Le roman est un mélange de fiction et de non-fiction, entrelaçant l'histoire réelle de Les Vraies Richesses, une célèbre librairie et maison d'édition à Alger, avec une narration fictive. La librairie a été fondée dans les années 1930 par Edmond Charlot, un éditeur notable qui a joué un rôle significatif dans le monde littéraire, en particulier en défendant la littérature française et nord-africaine.
  
  La narration alterne entre le passé et le présent, tissant ensemble l'histoire de Charlot et de sa librairie avec le conte fictif d'un jeune homme nommé Ryad, qui est chargé de vider la librairie en 2017. À travers ces récits parallèles, Adimi plonge dans la riche histoire littéraire et culturelle de l'Algérie, en particulier pendant la période coloniale française."
  

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  Registration for this event opens on 15 December 2023.
  

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• LF021 Play Reading

  • When
    02 Feb 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    To Be Announced
  • Spaces left
    12

  On the 3rd Friday of the month, WICE has a cold play reading group that is open to all WICE members. This group gathers and reads out loud various plays that meet the following criteria:

  • English language 
  • Award winning
  • One or two acts
  • 6 - 9 characters

  Plays are chosen on a month-to-month basis primarily (but not exclusively) from the candidate list of plays located on our webpage, From Page to Stage: Readings of Award-Winning Plays.

  Registration the February session opens on 20 January.
  

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• LF081 Booker Book Club

  • When
    08 Feb 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    To be announced
  • Spaces left
    9

  A monthly discussion of a Booker Prize winning (or short-listed) novel, generally in the afternoon of the 2nd Thursday of the month.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• LF231 Café Littéraire - L'Ordre du Jour (The Order of the Day), by Éric Vuillard

  • When
    23 Feb 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    To Be Announced
  • Spaces left
    8

  

  In this 2018 Goncourt Prize winner, author Éric Vuillard follows the actions of European politicians and business leaders in the run up to World War II.

  The novel tells the fascinating account of the failed diplomacy, broken relationships, and the catastrophic momentum that led to the war.
  
  The leaders of German industry—believing they will prosper under the Nazi regime—agree to lend their support to Adolph Hitler. Of course, things don't go entirely as planned, and as on thing leads to another, the world slides inexorably towards the abyss.
  

  Not quite fiction, but not quite fact, the French describe it as a récit, while the English newspaper The Guardian calls it "an historical essay with literary flourishes."

  The Guardian said: "However you decide to categorise it, this is a thoroughly gripping and mesmerising work of black comedy and political disaster. It seems designed single-mindedly to remind us that, as it says, “Great catastrophes often creep up on us in tiny steps.”

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  Dans ce prix Goncourt 2018, l'auteur Éric Vuillard suit les actions des hommes politiques et des chefs d'entreprise européens à l'approche de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

  Le roman raconte le récit fascinant de la diplomatie ratée, des relations rompues et de l'élan catastrophique qui ont conduit à la guerre.

  Les dirigeants de l'industrie allemande, convaincus qu'ils prospéreront sous le régime nazi, acceptent d'apporter leur soutien à Adolph Hitler. Bien sûr, les choses ne se passent pas tout à fait comme prévu et, de fil en aiguille, le monde glisse inexorablement vers l'abîme.

  Ni tout à fait une fiction, ni tout à fait un fait, les Français le décrivent comme un récit, tandis que le journal anglais

  The Guardian le qualifie d'"essai historique avec des fioritures littéraires".

  Le Guardian a déclaré : "Quelle que soit la catégorie dans laquelle vous décidez de le classer, il s'agit d'une œuvre de comédie noire et de désastre politique tout à fait captivante et envoûtante. Elle semble avoir été conçue dans le seul but de nous rappeler que, comme elle le dit, "les grandes catastrophes s'approchent souvent de nous à petits pas".

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  Registration for this event opens on 26 January 2024.

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• LM151 Play Reading

  • When
    01 Mar 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    To Be Announced
  • Spaces left
    12

  On the 1st Friday of the month, WICE has a cold play reading group that is open to all WICE members. This group gathers and reads out loud various plays that meet the following criteria:

  • English language 
  • Award winning
  • One or two acts
  • 6 - 9 characters

  Plays are chosen on a month-to-month basis primarily (but not exclusively) from the candidate list of plays located on our webpage, From Page to Stage: Readings of Award-Winning Plays.

  Show details
• LM141 Booker Book Club

  • When
    14 Mar 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    To be announced
  • Spaces left
    9

  A monthly discussion of a Booker Prize winning (or short-listed) novel, generally in the afternoon of the 2nd Thursday of the month.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• LM221 Café Littéraire: L'Œuvre au Noir (The Abyss), by Marguerite Yourcenar

  • When
    22 Mar 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    To Be Announced
  • Spaces left
    9

  

  "The Abyss" is a historical novel chronicling the life of the fictional character Zeno, a 16th-century physician, alchemist, and philosopher.

  Set during the Renaissance, a time of great scientific and philosophical upheaval, the novel delves into Zeno's quest for knowledge in various fields such as medicine, alchemy, and humanism. His intellectual pursuits, often in conflict with religious orthodoxy, lead him to face persecution and personal struggles.

  Yourcenar's novel explores themes of intellectual freedom, existential quest, and the tension between science and religion. Her prose weaves historical accuracy with profound character insight, capturing the zeitgeist of the Renaissance.

  "The Abyss" is a complex and richly layered novel that portrays the life of an intellectual pioneer in an era teetering between medieval superstition and the dawn of modernity.

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  « L'Œuvre au Noir » est un roman historique qui relate la vie du personnage fictif Zénon, un médecin, alchimiste et philosophe du XVIe siècle.
  
  Se déroulant pendant la Renaissance, une période de grands bouleversements scientifiques et philosophiques, le roman plonge dans la quête de connaissances de Zénon dans divers domaines tels que la médecine, l'alchimie et l'humanisme. Ses poursuites intellectuelles, souvent en conflit avec l'orthodoxie religieuse, le conduisent à faire face à la persécution et à des luttes personnelles.
  
  Le roman de Yourcenar explore des thèmes de liberté intellectuelle, de quête existentielle, et de la tension entre science et religion. Sa prose entrelace l'exactitude historique avec une profonde introspection des personnages, capturant l'esprit de l'époque de la Renaissance.
  
  « L'Œuvre au Noir » est un roman complexe et richement structuré qui dépeint la vie d'un pionnier intellectuel dans une ère vacillant entre la superstition médiévale et l'aube de la modernité."

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  Registration opens on 23 February 2024.

  
  

  
  

  
  

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