“Spies and Villains, Heroes and Heroines: Russian Characters in Spy Thrillers from 1880-2000"
EarthDiverse is pleased to announce a new Literature course entitled “Spies and Villains, Heroes and Heroines: Russian Characters in Spy Thrillers from 1880-2000" with Jillene Bydder.
This course is a survey of spy thriller fiction published between 1880 and 2000. It sets the books in their historical context and shows how their depiction of Russian/Soviet characters as heroes or as villains reflects the politics of the time in which the books were published. Spy thrillers also document our own social history and reveal many important and/or quirky issues for us to think about. For instance, why were so few thrillers with Russian settings or characters published during the world wars when Russia/the Soviet Union was our ally?
This course is offered in-person at the EarthDiverse Centre in Hamilton, New Zealand on Wednesdays from 11:00am-1:00pm (NZ time) beginning 3 August, or on-line (live-streamed) via Zoom from anywhere in the world. Some representative time zone equivalents are:
• Honolulu, Hawai’i: 1:00-3:00pm, Tue 2 Aug
• US Pacific: 4:00-6:00pm, Tue 2 Aug
• US Eastern: 7:00-9:00pm, Wed 3 Aug
• London, UK: 12:00-2:00am, Wed 3 Aug
• Bangkok, Thailand: 6:00-8:00am, Wed 3 Aug
• Singapore: 7:00-9:00am, Wed 3 Aug
• Sydney, Australia: 9:00-11:00am, Wed 3 Aug
This course is offered weekly for 8 consecutive weeks.
Register now on our website and check out all of our other courses!
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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67.2% Yes
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30.2% No
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2.6% Other - I'll share below
What are your supermarket pet peeves?
Fruit fondlers, meat misplacers and that guy who took a leak in aisle nine.
Supermarkets can be interesting places, filled with interesting characters. They are strange, sometimes seamy and even occasionally hostile environments where people behave in a unique manner.
What are your supermarket pet peeves? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
Have you ever seen a big turnaround in a town or suburb near you?
Piopio could be Waitomo’s best kept secret.
For people wanting a good lifestyle, district mayor John Robertson says they should look to small regional towns where there’s room to grow.
Have you ever seen a big turnaround in a town or suburb? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).