Literary Gardens course 2026

Literary Gardens I with Karina Jakubowicz

We will study gardens in some brilliant novels, short stories and poetry published between 1865 and 1922, from Alice in Wonderland to The Waste Land. All these remarkable works are fascinated with gardens (or possibly anti-gardens, in the case of The Waste Land). Why are gardens important – how are they represented, and what do they mean across these works?

Gardens are quite similar to books. Both are carefully crafted pieces of art that are built around physical or narrative ‘plots’. Although they each seem to offer a retreat from the world at large, they are often commentaries on that world, and are always a direct result of it. They are ultimately products of their cultural, environmental, and artistic contexts, and when 'read' successfully they offer powerful ways of analysing and engaging with our everyday lives. 

This course explores the affinity between texts and gardens, charting a course from the mid-Victorian period to the early twentieth century. We will ask what the garden means across these decades and how it functions in response to shifts in gender dynamics, modern aesthetics, war, and the environment. The course will also explore the significant changes in garden design and horticulture during this period, providing an insight into one of the most exciting phases in the history of gardening. 

In her lectures, Karina will look closely at each work and she will also explore the historical context, including women gardeners of the early twentieth century, the history of Kew Gardens, and much more.

Sundays, fortnightly, at 6.00-8.00 pm British Time, 11 January to March 2026.

The course has six sessions, with a live online lecture and seminar each fortnight. The lectures are recorded so that participants can listen again during the course if they wish. The seminars are not recorded.

Course fees (include 20% VAT)

£320 full price
£290 students on a low income
£290 CAMcard holders