A Talk About Two Geniuses:
Joseph Conrad and Graham Greene By Norman Sherry

Professor Norman Sherry brings together history and literature in this special lecture about his research and writing about two famous novelists – Joseph Conrad and Graham Greene.

He will share with us his research methods which include studying archival materials, oral interviews, and retracing the footsteps of his subjects, traveling to the places that they went to. A strong proponent of thorough research and accessing extensive information, Sherry’s authoritative biographical works elaborate on the historical contexts of the places where his subjects were, which inspired their creative works. His biographies of Conrad thus include historical landscapes and personalities of places which Conrad visited, such as Singapore and other locations in the Malay Archipelago.

Much of his work on Joseph Conrad was done in Singapore where he consulted the materials on his subject, and investigated nineteenth century Singapore where Conrad was for some time and drew ideas for his stories such as Lord Jim and Shadow-Line. His work on Graham Greene took three decades to complete and he spent several years traveling to the places Greene visited, such as Panama, Haiti, Mexico and Liberia. Greene intervened to prevent him from going to a leper colony in Congo which was the setting for Greene’s A Burnt-Out Case.

This lecture will provide insights into the work of a fascinating literary detective, illuminating how an understanding of history contributes to the understanding of the novelists and their works, and how challenges in the research process were met.

WHEN

16 Nov 2007, 7:30pm – 9pm

WHERE

Gallery Theatre

ADMISSION FEE

Free
Please register early as seats are limited.

SUPPORTER