European Literature Society

The ‘European Literature Society’ finished reading ‘The Moustache’ by Emmanuel Carrère this week. A shocking ending to this novel that really challenged our understanding of how we construct our Identity, and how we can define a person. The discussion centred on what novels are for: should novels challenge us or reassure us? And why do novels more often than not end badly, have bad things happen to people we empathise with, or portray such difficult situations? It was then decided to read another really challenging text, ‘Death in Venice’ by the greatest German author of the twentieth century – Thomas Mann. Perhaps Mann will offer the modern reader some reassurance.   

Mr Ahern