Join an intimate discussion of literature in one of Cincinnati’s most iconic literary destinations—the Harriet Beecher Stowe House. Carry forward its legacy of social change and be part of its future.
As 2025 draws to a close, we look to writers of fantasy and science fiction, not for stories of bug-eyed monsters, dazzling special effects or predictions of the future, but for alternative visions of how our world might be—for better or worse. These stories are sometimes called speculative fiction or even parables because they raise thought-provoking moral questions.
Both authors we’ll discuss are women in a field formerly dominated by men. Ursula Le Guin is probably the best known of the New Wave of speculative fiction authors who came to prominence in the 1970s and 80s, and N. K. Jemison is a widely honored contemporary author whose work is often discussed in connection with Afrofuturism.
Suggested Reading:
Ursula K. Le Guin, “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” (1973)
N. K. Jemisin, “The Ones Who Stay and Fight” (2018)
Ursula K. Le Guin, “She Unnames Them” (1983)
N. K. Jemisin, “Valedictorian” (2012) lightspeedmagazine.com
About the Facilitators:
Dr. John Getz is professor emeritus in the Department of English at Xavier University and has been volunteering for the Friends of Harriet Beecher Stowe House for many years.
Dr. Jodi Wyett is professor of English at Xavier University.
Wed, Dec 10 • 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Beer Bar/Hall
Pizza
Deli-Sandwiches
Italian
Mexican
Hot Dogs
Korean