‘Golding is consistently fascinated by goodness,
sanctity and mysticism …’

Due to unforeseen circumstances this event has had to be cancelled. 
Tickets are no longer for sale and existing ticket holders will be refunded.

Tim Kendall writes:
William Golding is renowned as a novelist who explores man’s inhumanity to man, but that’s only half the story. Golding is consistently fascinated by goodness, sanctity and mysticism, and by what these gifts might reveal about human nature and the existence and benevolence of God. Paying particular attention to the most obviously theological of Golding’s novels –
Lord of the Flies; 
Pincher Martin; 
The Spire;
Darkness Visible
– we will consider the problem of goodness in Golding’s work. ‘The most interesting thing in the world is saints’, Golding once claimed, and he elaborated that he meant ‘people around whom miracles happen’. But are they credible, are they appealing, and how should their example affect our own behaviours?

Tim Kendall completed his BA at Oxford (1991) and D.Phil (1994). He spent a year there as lecturer before taking up a research post in Newcastle. Two years after that, he accepted his first permanent position at Bristol. He returned to Devon as Professor of English Literature at the University of Exeter in 2006, and served as Head of Department from 2007 to 2013.

Tim Kendall, is kindly providing links to (free) fascinating recordings/podcasts below, where he discusses Golding and his work, with others including Golding’s daughter.

Watch the 1959 interview with William Golding, on ‘how he writes a novel‘

William Golding: A Literary Colossus – The Slightly Foxed Magazine team sit down with the author’s daughter Judy and Golding expert Professor Tim Kendall to discuss the life and work of this brave and highly original writer.

Darkness Visible – Dr Nicola Presley, of William Golding Limited, is joined by Judy Golding Carver, Golding’s daughter, and Professor Tim Kendall in discussion about the writing of this book.

Ninety-nine novels: The Spire – Tim Kendall talks about Golding’s book, The Spire, in a podcast series about Anthony Burgess’ favourite novels.