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PROGRAMS / READING GROUPS / Into the New Weird

“The New Weird” is a term coined by M. John Harrison in the beginning of the last decade.

It describes a broad and varied movement of speculative fiction which focuses on the political and philosophical potentials of weirdness, genre bending, and experimental literature. It includes authors like Jeff Vandermeer, Jeffery Ford, Elvia Wilk, K.J Bishop, Brian Evenson, and more.

OVERVIEW

This reading group will explore this literary movement while challenging its very definition, as it branches out to intersect with magic realism, science fiction, and literary fiction. We’ll also explore how the lines between weird and “just” imagination blur and ask whether the New Weird exists at all.

Finally, the question at the heart of the movement, of the political implications of the weird and its potential as a tool to imagine a different future, will be at the heart of this reading group as well. Does weirdness challenge the powers that be? Are the futures imagined as part of the New Weird desirable? And, if not, what tools do they provide us to challenge the present and its trajectory into the near future?

MEETING AND READING SCHEDULE

This group will meet on the 1st Tuesday of the month in the mezzanine-level Art Room at the Athenæum, 5:30-7pm.

Tues, September 2
The Strange Bird: A Borne Story, Jeff Vandermeer, 2018

Tues, October 7
Viriconium Knights, M. John Harrison, 2004
The Tower, Brian Evenson, 2019 (link)

Tues, November 4
The Physiognomy, Jeffrey Ford, 2008

Tues, December 2
Earwig, Brian Catling, 2020

Tues, January 6
The West Passage, Jared Pechaček, 2024

Tues, February 3
Rakesfall, Vajra Chandrasekera, 2024

Tues, March 3
The Etched City, K.J. Bishop, 2004

Tues, April 7
The Man Who Bridged the Mist, Kij Johnson, 2012

Tues, May 5
City of All Seasons, Oliver K. Langmead and Aliya Whiteley, 2025

GROUP FACILITATOR

Eden Kupermintz holds a B.A in history and philosophy and has been fascinated with and passionate about science fiction, metal and literature for the past two decades. Eden curates the online archive anarchySF, is co-host for the Death // Sentence literary podcast, is editor-in-chief for Heavy Blog is Heavy, and does some work for corporations so he can eat.

This group has reached capacity. To be added to a waitlist, please email readinggroups@provath.org with WEIRD as the subject line.

The Athenæum is deeply grateful to our wonderful volunteer leaders. Please note library reading groups are not classes or courses, but rather a way for individuals to discuss readings together, guided by both expert and amateur enthusiasts. Participants should expect discussion-based, not lecture-style meetings.