il Giardino Romantico

【中文在下面】

There are many things that I can take advantage of while I'm here in the UK.  Other than the vast collection of English resources in the library, the performances in the world renowned Philharmonic Hall by the world acclaimed Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, easy access to football match broadcasts[however vain it may sound...], there is also the frequent lectures and talks by notable contemporary figures in the literary realm.

In fact, I just came back from one last night.  John Carey's talk on William Golding: How Novels Begin was the first lecture I attended since I got here.  John Carey is a literary critic who has edited works by Milton, Donne, and Orwell, just to name a few.  He has also published books and biographies on famous authors.  In his preparation of his new biography on William Golding, the author of the Lord of the Flies, he came to Liverpool and told us about the man, the work, and most importantly, how novels begin.

As a result of having been 'ordered' to attend this, I, and probably most of the other literature MA's as well, did not expect much to happen during the talk.  Contrarily, it was an eye-opener.  The presentation was insightful, though the content may seem irrelevant to certain MA's.  However, speaking of that, nothing is ever irrelevant, especially in the literary realm. 

After the lecture, many of us stayed for 'drinks'.  Keep in mind, that we are all adults.  This, was also an eye-opener.  To be in the same room, drinking wine with your MA mates, other MA's, your tutors, and someone who actually has his own Wikipedia entry is extremely exciting for a 'small-town' girl like me.

I didn't manage to speak to John Carey himself, but I did finally get a chance to talk to my tutor, with whom I have had correspondence since 2007.  I intended to ask him about how to go about reading an annotated text where the notes are so extensive that they out-length the original text.  He gave a few pointers, then very kindly turned the subject and asked me how I was doing personally.  I told him that I liked it here a lot, and that I am very happy to have finally made it here. 

My friends were waiting for me with some more wine and spaghetti, so unfortunately, I had to pardon myself.  This was a very interesting night.  It is an honor to 'hang around' people who enjoy their wine in a very 'classy' way. 

This is the first lecture that I attended.  This will not be the only one that I will be attending. 

Tonight, at 5pm, there is another lecture by Brian Aldiss on Science and Civilization.

A month from now, Philip Pullman, will be in Liverpool as well! 

Life, doesn't get any better than this.

人家辛辛苦苦到了英國，可不能空手空腦回去。除了超大間的圖書館，以及世界文明的愛樂音樂廳及樂團，還有隨手可得的足球消息以轉撥之外，還有另一個讓我非常興奮的：無時無刻都有名人來演講。所謂的『名人』，當然第一是指文學界的名人。第二是指你在Wiki真的可以找的到的人。

昨天晚上參加John Carey的演講。他是一位經驗非常豐富的文學評論家。編輯過Milton的Paradise Lost以及其他文豪的作品。也寫過許多文豪的傳記。這次的言講主題是William Golding以及小說是如何開始的。William Golding是『蠅王』的作者。我雖只記得電影版的片段，從來沒讀過小說，但在文學這個領域，任何事情都很有可能會有關連性的。

我們Research Skills的老師強迫我們參加這場演講。其實因為是被強迫的，原本沒有很期待。不過內容真的很豐富也很精彩。

之後大伙一起聚在某教授的小房間裡喝酒。真的就像電影中的情節一樣。學生與教授以及這位知名的文學評論家同聚在一個小房間裡非常有格調的喝著紅酒討論文學。

很不巧，我朋友已經煮好義大利麵又帶了紅酒[又是酒...]等著我去跟他們會面。不過要離開之前，我逮到機會跟上莎老頭那課程的教授聊了一下。我其實是要問他如果遇到一本註解比原文還要長的版本該如何下手。他給了我一些建議之後，很好心的轉移話題問了關於我自己的適應度。我跟他說我很喜歡利物浦。也很高興終於能夠來到這，開始這課程。其實我有點不太敢再講下去。怕我再講下去又會忍不住情緒化的掉眼淚。

不過這晚真的讓我大開眼界。大概是我宅女當太久了。

今天晚上又有演講。Brian Aldiss 要探討文明以及科學。

十一月的時候 Philip Pullman [你沒看錯！真的是The Golden Compass的作者] 也會來利物浦辦兩次演講。

In order of 'appearance':
John Carey
William Golding
Brian Aldiss
Philip Pullman