Selwyn Book Talks: Moderate to Poor, Occasionally Good. With Eley Williams

Join us for the Lent Term Selwyn Book Talk, featuring award winning author Dr Eley Williams (SE 2005) discussing her latest collection, Moderate to Poor, Occasionally Good (Vintage, 2024).

In this playful, poignant, and often wickedly funny collection of essays, Eley Williams reflects on the peculiarities of language, identity, and queerness in contemporary life. From linguistic quirks and literary footnotes to public signage, the book offers a vivid meditation on how we speak, read, and relate to one another in a world saturated with words.

Bringing her distinctive wit and lyricism to bear on themes ranging from grammar and grief to social awkwardness and creative process, Williams invites readers to consider the overlaps between miscommunication and meaning-making — and the joy to be found in both.

Moderate to Poor, Occasionally Good speaks to readers of fiction, poetry and memoir alike, blurring boundaries with charm and insight. Selwyn Book Talks is thrilled to welcome Eley back to Cambridge for an evening of reading, reflection, and discussion.

The talk will be followed by a Q&A and drinks reception.

Discussant: Dr Alex Calder (SE 2020), scholar of contemporary literature.

Free and open to all members of the Selwyn community and invited guests. Space is limited — please reserve a ticket.

Location

The event takes place in the Bartlam Reading Room, situated on the second floor of the Bartlam Library, Selwyn College, Grange Road, CB3 9DQ.

The Quarry-Whitehouse Auditorium & Bartlam Library Building is located on Grange Road. The graphic above shows the building, with the red arrow pointing towards the entrance to the Bartlam Library, accessed from underneath the arches. Guests can take the stairs or the lift to second floor of the library.

The Selwyn College Porters, located in the Lodge by the main entrance, will be more than happy to help direct you if you have trouble finding it.

The event will start promptly at 6:00pm. We expect the main event to finish by 7:00pm at the latest, the drinks reception will finish at 7:30pm.

If you are arriving by bike, you may lock your bicycles on the railings outside the college Porter's Lodge.

Please note that photographs will be taken during this event.