Basil Payne obituary
My father, the poet and writer Basil Payne, has died aged 88. Basil believed a poet's job was to act not as an oracle, but as a catalyst. He wanted his words to take the reader on a reflective journey of enlightenment, shaped by their own experience.He...
The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce – Review
"I would recommend this book to anyone aged between eight and twelve who likes to find out about other children's lives. It is so beautifully written and easy to read"Julie is like any other year six schoolgirl thinking about clothes, boys and best fri...
Fidel Castro launches memoirs in Havana
Former Cuban president makes rare appearance to present 1,000-page book, Guerrilla of Time, charting his rise to powerFidel Castro has made a rare public appearance to launch his memoirs.The increasingly reclusive former Cuban president spent six hours...
10: The long gallery, Chastleton House, Moreton-in-Marsh, 1607-1612
As part of our series exploring Britain's architectural wonders, the Observer's architecture critic introduces a spectacular interactive 360-degree panoramic view of this classic example of the Jacobean long gallery• Explore the Chastleton House long...
Tim and Charlotte by Edward Ardizzone – review
'Tim and Ginger are in a lot of books by Edward Ardizzone and I love all of them'This book is about a little girl called Charlotte. It is also about two boys called Tim and Ginger. Tim and Ginger are in a lot of books by Edward Ardizzone and I love a...
Rachmaninov: Romances – review
Dmitri Hvorostovsky (baritone), Ivari Ilja (piano)(Ondine)This recording should come with the warning "too hot to handle", such is the combustible combination of Dmitri Hvorostovsky's heroic baritone with the flaming passion of intensely romantic Russi...
Trailer trash
Viggo Mortensen channels the spirit of Sigmund Freud, Southwark says no to Brit grit, and let's hear it (again) for UndefeatedViggo's Freudian slip One of the strangest interviews I've ever conducted happened last week when I met Viggo Mortensen in Sig...
I Married You for Happiness by Lily Tuck – review
An elegant novel about the anatomy of a marriage dwells more on art – and maths – than emotionThis novel is an elegant vigil – a long night's journey into day. A wife, Nina, sits with her husband, Philip, who has died of a heart attack. She waits...
The Trials and Triumphs of Les Dawson by Louis Barfe – review
A new life of Les Dawson celebrates a great British comic talent too often overlookedIt's May 1967, in the days when Britain really had talent. Hughie Green is hosting yet another of his Opportunity Knocks. And here, at last, comes fame, banging on the...
Occupy!: Scenes From Occupied America; edited by Astra Taylor, Keith Gessen et al – review
A collection of essays from those involved in the Occupy movement is both analytical and full of vivid experienceAfter the autumn of discontent comes, inevitably, the winter of writing it all up. An enormous amount of ink has been spilled – and even ...
Patriot of Persia: Muhammad Mossadegh and a Very British Coup by Christopher de Bellaigue – review
This fascinating biography of a 1950s Persian nobleman and politician explains much of Iran's antipathy towards BritainIran is the only country in the world where people think that secretly, behind the charade, America is Britain's poodle. The eponymou...
