Ann Thwaite: Why I was happy when my parents died
After watching her father and mother suffer the effects of debilitating illness, the author Ann Thwaite explains why she rejoiced at news of her parents' deathsHave you ever been asked to admit to the happiest moment in your life? I think it is su...
Keynes – Hayek by Nicholas Wapshott – review
The ideological struggle at the heart of our economic crisisIn 1949 a famous free-market economist made a significant decision. He knew that in Arkansas the state laws made divorce easy – and cheap. He was married to a woman whom he acknowl...
The Train in the Night by Nick Coleman – review
A music journalist's memoir of encroaching deafnessNick Coleman has found and made his life in music. His father had a keen amateur interest; much of his East Anglian childhood was spent in thrall to successive waves of pop, rock, punk, reggae, and so ...
The Prisoner of Paradise by Romesh Gunesekera – review
Romesh Gunesekera dissects colonial privilege and injusticeThe author of five previous books of fiction, Romesh Gunesekera has always been fascinated with islands, whether Sri Lanka, the Philippines or, in his 2002 novel Heaven's Edge, an imaginary isl...
The White Lie by Andrea Gillies – review
A moving page-turner about the unreliability of personal historySome years ago, journalist Andrea Gillies was struggling to write a novel. The enemy of her promise was a full-time job; she was caring for her mother-in-law, who had Alzheimer's. The...
Rare Earth by Paul Mason
The first novel from Newsnight's economics editor is an enjoyable romp through ChinaIt's a conspiracy theorist's dream. One nation holds most of the planet's supply of "rare earths", the metals and alloys key to building many of the developed...
‘In Mexico, reporters are hunted like rabbits’
It's tied for first place with Pakistan as the world's deadliest country for journalistsAt the end of January I was at the Royal Courts of Justice to hear Jonathan Heawood, of English PEN, speak to the Leveson inquiry about the importance of a free pre...
Your Weekly Moment of Zen: Samurai Darth Vader
You’ve worked hard this week (just go with us on that) and you deserve a reward. Please accept this illustration of a samurai Darth Vader, created by Clinton Felker, as your shepherd into the peaceful waters of the weekend.Want more Star Wars cha...
Tempest Sweepstakes!
Now that you’ve taken a look at that sweet excerpt (and the review as well!) we know that you want a chance to read the book! We’ve got 20 copies for all you fabulous ladies and gents, and we’re ready to give them out to someone who will love the...
