Exhibition: I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell

The I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell exhibition features work by three young writers Georgia Affonso, Princess Arinola Adegbite and Guruleen Kahlo, who completed a residency at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, the home of the Victorian writer famous for writing Cranford and North and South.

The exhibition, includes Guruleen’s short stories, Georgia’s play available in audio format, and poems by Salford Writer Princess Arinola Adegbite. The three writers (all aged under 30) were invited to spend time immersing themselves in Elizabeth Gaskell’s world and responding to her legacy in their own words.

The project, in collaboration with The Writing Squad and Manchester City of Literature, celebrated 10 years since the restoration of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, which once lay abandoned, but now proudly takes its place as Manchester’s only literary house. All the young writers have in common, apart from being members of The Writing Squad, is that Elizabeth Gaskell is not a writer known to them, so discovering her world has immediately opened exciting possibilities.

This exhibition explores and celebrates their experiences of being writers in residence and the creative work they produce.

Coming to a library near you:

• Walkden Library: Tuesday 8th September – Friday 30th October
• Swinton Library: Monday 2nd November – Wednesday 6th January
• Eccles Library: Wednesday 6th January – Monday 1st March 2027
• Pendleton Library: Monday 1st March – Friday 30th April 2027