Is literature an escapist art form? And if so, where does it allow the reader to escape to? This talk explores the phenomenon of ‘sacred spaces’ envisioned in classic and contemporary literature in relation to the challenges of Christian faith. The talk will address the imaginary utopias, dystopias and undiscovered countries of, amongst others, C.S.Lewis, Henry David Thoreau, William Morris, H. G. Wells and J. G. Ballard.
When he’s not watching re-runs of the West Wing, Dr Andrew Tate lectures in English and American Literature at Lancaster University. His two books, published last year – Douglas Coupland and Contemporary Fiction and Christianity – reflect his interest in postmodern fiction, theory and spirituality.
