It was a thoroughly amazing experience to be able to meet, listen and talk to Jan Carson! As our seminar is based on her works and Jan Carson was very approachable – even encouraging difficult questions herself – it proved extremely useful meeting her. On top of that, Jan Carson went far beyond the expected by taking time for anyone who wanted to have a little chat.
Frederic Heselschwerdt
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For literature students, it is rare to meet the author of the works we study. Discussing the themes in her writing and the impact of the Troubles on her and Irish literature was both eye-opening and inspiring. Her open manner and willingness to address all questions, even the difficult ones, underscored the importance of connections between students and authors. Last but not least, learning about the fascinating and often amusing backgrounds of certain characters in her works of magical realism added a memorable touch to the experience.
Leon Juranovic
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On the 9th of January Jan Carson blessed the early 8am class with her presence. First she read from her recent short story collection Quickly, while they still have horses, which was an amazing start for the day itself. The insight we gained from her being in the room herself was immensely striking: We not only learned about political aspecta of her work, but also more of her own experiences that shape the stories This was an amazing experience.
Laura Schmidt
