A Weekend to Remember
I have been a member of the London Library for almost forty years, and have often mentioned it on my blog as one of my favourite places in the world. And Cambridge University Library has a special place in my heart too. All in all, I love libraries. It was Borges who wrote, ‘I have always imagined Paradise as a kind of library.’ Me, too, and I have sometimes thought how wonderful it would be to live in a library (though if you saw the number of books I have, you might think that I already do). And there actually is a library where you can live – at least temporarily – and that is the Gladstone Library. Some years ago I wrote an article about subscription libraries, and that was when I heard about it. A residential library! Of course, ever since I have wanted to go and stay there. When Martin Edwards asked me if I would be one of the speakers at their annual event, Alibis in the Archive, I jumped at the opportunity. So it was that I spent last weekend there in the convivial company of crime writers and readers listening to talks on a fascinating range of topics. In particular Dolores Gordon Smith’s paper, ‘Who Killed Charles Bravo?,’ began discussions that lasted all weekend, but all the papers were excellent. My own was on ‘Death Among the Dons: Crime Fiction and Academia,’ a subject that felt appropriate to the august library setting in which it was delivered. The programme described my talk thus: ‘The ivory towers of academia seem to be fertile ground for crime and murders in the minds of writers – but why is that? Academic and crime writer Christine Poulson lifts the curtain.’ And what did I reveal? You had to be there in person or online to find out. (Though no doubt I’ll publish the paper in one form or another at some point.)
6 Comments
Margot Kinberg
June 18, 2023Oh, how lovely, Christine! I’m sure it was truly a memorable event, and I’m very happy for you that you were able to be there.
Christine Poulson
June 18, 2023So good to hear from you, Margot! The library is a terrific place and I am sure I will be returning. It would be a great place to do some writing.
Brad Poulson
June 19, 2023Hi Chrissie,
In true crime writer style you have left us in suspense over your paper! Sounds like a magnificent location (perhaps one Casandra James might find interesting) 🙂 Pleased you enjoyed it!
Christine Poulson
June 20, 2023Lovely to hear from you, Brad. Hope you are both well. Yes, a wonderful place and right up Cassandra’s street.
Dolores
June 21, 2023It was a terrific weekend, Chrissie, and great to meet up again. The library is a beautiful building in a wonderful setting. The staff were really pleasant and enthusiastic and to be surrounded by so many books…!
The Bravo case is ever so interesting. I’ve written a radio play about it – it’s on Amazon- and there’s some excellent books too. I think my pick would be Yseult Bridges but there’s a few to choose from
Christine Poulson
June 21, 2023Yes, wasn’t it lovely! Yes, fascinated by the Charles Bravo case. See you at Bodies …