Chaucer for the 21st Century: Two Readings

Illustration of Chaucer in the style of Andy Warhol

Arizona State University presents readings by internationally known poet Patience Agbabi (author of "Telling Tales") and young adult novelist Kim Zarins (author of "Sometimes We Tell the Truth") bringing Chaucer's narratives into the 21st century.

A book sale and author signing will follow the event.

About the Speakers

Image removed.Patience Agbabi's poetry has been featured on radio and TV worldwide and she has spent over 20 years celebrating the written and spoken word. Active on the literature and arts scene, she was on the Council of Management for Arvon from 2009–16. Her poem, "The Doll's House" was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem 2014. She studied English language and literature at Oxford University and is a former Poet Laureate of Canterbury. The author of four books, her latest, "Telling Tales" (Canongate, 2014), is a vivid retelling of Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" for the 21st century and was shortlisted for the Ted Hughes Prize for New Work in Poetry 2014 and Wales Book of the Year 2015.

Image removed.Kim Zarins has a doctorate in English from Cornell University and teaches medieval literature and children's literature at Sacramento State University. Her debut novel, "Sometimes We Tell the Truth," retells Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" with modern teens, and she wrote it with a gigantic smile on her face (there are funny bits). She also published two picture books for very young children. When she isn't reading or writing or teaching, she is feeding peanuts to a very hungry scrub jay named Joe.

About the Chaucer Celebration

The ASU Department of English's biennial Chaucer Celebration commemorates the life and work of medieval author Geoffrey Chaucer with events such as film festivals, concerts, performances and academic discussions.

In 2018, the celebration brings the medieval writer into the 21st century, hosting poet Patience Agbabi ("Telling Tales") and young adult novelist Kim Zarins ("Sometimes We Tell the Truth") in readings from their Chaucer-inspired works; an exhibition of ASU Library's new Chauceriana acquisitions; and a dramatic reading of a short play that updates "The Canterbury Tales," written and directed by Pamela Sterling, an associate professor in the ASU Herberger Institute's School of Film, Dance and Theatre.

More details at the ASU Chaucer Celebration website.

Richard Newhauser
Department of English
480-965-8139
Richard.Newhauser@asu.edu
https://english.clas.asu.edu/chaucer-celebration
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Old Main, Carson Ballroom