Gothic experts gather at uni

If your teenagers insist on reading something from the Twilight series rather than Middlemarch, you have reason to be encouraged.
Dr Catherine SpoonerDr Catherine Spooner
Dr Catherine Spooner

Because new research from Lancaster University shows that Gothic fiction aimed at young adults can be equally rewarding to study.

And tomorrow the university is holding a symposium for sixth formers from around the North West to focus on the Gothic genre.

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The event is the first of its kind and will offer full-day workshops for readers, writers and students who want to explore the surge in Gothic writing over the past 15 years.

Dr Catherine Spooner (right), senior lecturer in English and creative writing, is a specialist in Gothic writing and culture, and will lead the event. She said: “Much of the Gothic fiction aimed at teenagers is as diverse, complex and interesting as that aimed at adults.

“We’ve had an extraordinarily enthusiastic response so there’s clearly an appetite for what we’re doing.”

You can to attend the event, being held tomorrow, at www.lancs.ac.uk/beyondtwilight/