(Ü/PS) Murder, Mayhem, Mystery: A Critical Perspective on Crime Fiction
When The Cuckoo’s Calling was published in 2013 under the name Robert Galbraith, it received a decidedly lukewarm response. Reviews were scarce, and critics were divided on whether its protagonist – Cormoran Strike, a one-legged, down-on-his-luck, curmudgeonly private detective – was a refreshing take on the genre or merely an overly familiar trope. On the brink of being relegated to the bargain bin, the novel became an overnight bestseller when its true author was revealed to be J.K. Rowling who had – once again – resorted to using a pseudonym aiming to distance herself from her Harry Potter fame and to navigate a genre traditionally dominated by male authors.
In this seminar, we will critically examine British detective fiction, exploring excerpts from authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. We will analyse the genre’s conventions and consider how The Cuckoo’s Calling interacts with and challenges these traditions. We will also explore broader questions of authorship, the "Death of the Author", and transformative works as a form of "writing back." Additionally, we will analyse how the novel addresses themes of nationality, gender, age, class, ethnicity, and sexuality.
Texts will be provided in the beginning of the semester.
- Dieser Inhalt ist freigegeben ab 04.04.2025 11:00 Uhr.
PRE-SEMESTER FAQ
Q: I tried to sign up, but ended on the Waiting List. What do I do now?
A: The seminar is restricted to 40 people. If you are among the first 10 people on the Waiting List chances are good that you will be able to attend the seminar after all. Simply attend the first session. If you are on the Waiting List beyond spot 10, chances are you will have to take a look at a different seminar. Attending the first session will not change this.
Q: But I really, really need to take this seminar.
A: There are exceptions to the rule, which are, e.g. Pflichtübertritt and seminars that were not transferred. If that is the case, let me know. A word of caution: “this is my last semester and I forgot to take the seminar” is not a good enough reason.
Q: I just want to take the seminar for fun, is that alright?
How do I sign up?
A: Yes, that is alright. Just sign up for “Just for Fun”, but be aware: you will not be able to do a Prüfungsleistung during this seminar and I will still expect you to participate and do the work just as much as the other students.
Q: It's an author I don't want to support financially, do I still need to buy the book?
A: No. Wait until the first week.