Before Alfred Hitchcock moved to Hollywood in 1939, he wrote, designed, or directed over two dozen films in London, the city that was his birthplace and that remained a constant source of inspiration. Our book club focuses on two of his most highly regarded films that take place in London: The Lodger (1927) and Sabotage (1936), both adapted from popular novels. In week one, we begin by reading Marie Belloc Lowndes’ novel of The Lodger, which was inspired by the notorious crimes of Jack the Ripper, and in week two we discuss how Hitchcock created a sense of mystery and dread when he brought the tale to the screen. For week three, we read Joseph Conrad’s The Secret Agent (1907), a novel about spies in the 1890s, and in week four, we discuss how Sabotage updates the story to London of the 1930s. Our book club celebrates both the work of a brilliant director and the sights and sounds of a city he loved.

Partners for the London Book Club include the College of Arts and Letters, ND International, the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, the Nanovic Institute, ND Learning and the Notre Dame Alumni Association. Read the press release here.

Live meetings will be on Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. (EDT), on September 9, 16, 23 & 30.