Dear colleagues,  

 

You are cordially invited to a free upcoming in-person lecture at McMaster’s Mills Memorial Library (24 November 2022, 5:30 p.m. EST): “Filthy & Much Scrawled”: How the Manuscript of A Clockwork Orange Came to McMaster.” 

 

Anthony Burgess’ 1962 novel, A Clockwork Orange, is now one of the most famous and infamous books of the 20^th century, though it did not become well known until after the 1971 release of Stanley Kubrick’s movie version. Four years before the movie, McMaster University Librarian William Ready had the foresight to acquire the manuscript of the novel from Burgess for deposit in the University Library. The story of that acquisition is really the story of the relationship between these two men of very similar backgrounds and sensibilities.  

 

Please join Rick Stapleton (Head, Archives and Research Collections, McMaster University Library) as he traces that relationship from their first meeting in 1966 to Burgess’ learning of Ready’s death in 1981. Along the way you’ll see excerpts of letters between the two and, of course, images of the ‘filthy & much-scrawled’ manuscript of A Clockwork Orange. 

 

This lecture is part of the William Ready Division’s Archives Alive series. This series introduces members of the public to the unique holdings of the division. 

 

Register using this link. Please feel free to share this invitation with other interested parties.  

 

Best wishes, 

 

Gillian