Section
Literature
Michel Houellebecq’s Platform: A Graphic, Bleak Reflection on Contemporary Life
Michel Houellebecq’s 2001 novel "Platform" follows a disaffected protagonist who uses an inheritance to explore sexual tourism in Thailand, set against themes of alienation and…
Saudi author on Naguib Mahfouz Medal shortlist for 2026
Saudi author Abdullah Nasser has been shortlisted for the 2026 Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature for his novel *This Is Not a Bullet*. The award,…
Saudi Author on Naguib Mahfouz Medal Shortlist for 2026
Saudi author Abdullah Nasser has been shortlisted as one of six finalists for the 2026 Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature for his novel *This Is…
Meet the next generation of Canterbury writers
The University of Canterbury’s Master of Writing programme launched *Emergence*, an anthology showcasing works from 26 emerging writers, at the WORD Christchurch literary festival with…
Boy’s own story: warm and teasing 1970s tale
Italian author Alessandro Baricco's novel *Black September*, newly available in English, follows twelve-year-old Gigio Bellandi as he reflects on a pivotal summer in 1972 Tuscany…
All things great and strange: portrait of a Polish village
Olga Tokarczuk’s *Primeval and Other Times*, reissued in English translation, depicts the lives of a fictional Polish village from 1914 to the 1980s, blending historical…
A Brilliant Survey of 200 Years of Fiction
Philip Hensher’s *A History of the Novel in Britain* traces two centuries of British fiction from 1719 to 2000, linking major authors and literary movements…
Mario Vargas Llosa’s Final Novel is a Poignant Love Letter to Peruvian Music
Mario Vargas Llosa’s final novel follows a music journalist’s quest to honor a late Peruvian guitarist and explore the healing power of the vals genre…
Irvine Welsh’s Family Saga is a Tour de Force on American Excess
Luke Ayrton, a young man working on the Las Vegas Strip, confronts a fractured family legacy amid a backdrop of societal decline and ongoing violence…
An Extraordinary Interrogation of Dreams in Rosalind Belben’s Novel
Rosalind Belben’s novel *Is Beauty Good*, recently reissued by And Other Stories, employs a fragmented, vignette-based structure to explore themes of dreams, consciousness, and the…
Review of Sky City by Jacqueline Crooks
Jacqueline Crooks’ novel *Sky City* follows Jaycee, a young woman overcoming childhood abuse and homelessness while reconnecting with her past in a futuristic north London…
Literary Fiction Review: BEGINNING MIDDLE END
Valeria Luiselli’s novel *Beginning Middle End* follows a mother and daughter navigating Sicily during wildfires and a volcanic eruption, using their journey to explore migration…
A roundup of recent novellas prove they’re literature’s short kings
Four recent novellas by international authors tackle pressing modern issues such as technology, migration, war, and exile through intimate and multi-perspective storytelling. These works highlight…
Endless worlds
Amitav Ghosh’s new novel "Ghost-Eye" centers on a young girl in 1969 Calcutta who claims to be a reincarnated fisherwoman, intertwining themes of spirituality, environmental…
Colm Tóibín’s Stories About Loss and Identity
Irish author Colm Tóibín’s new short story collection explores themes of loss, identity, and memory through characters confronting fractured pasts and uncertain futures across Ireland…
Daniel Hahn Explores the Challenges of Translating Shakespeare
Daniel Hahn’s new book *If This Be Magic* examines the complex challenges translators face in preserving Shakespeare’s intricate language, rhythm, and cultural references across diverse…
Books are not only the victims of war, but its protagonists
Thousands gathered in Kyiv for a literary festival despite ongoing air raid threats amid the four-year conflict with Russia, which has targeted and destroyed hundreds…
The Life and Legacy of J.G. Ballard
James Graham Ballard, a British writer known for his psychologically driven science fiction and dystopian themes, gained recognition for works like *The Drowned World* and…
Behind the Scenes of Literary Mischief and Mishaps
Beatrix Potter’s books are the most commonly stolen from British bookshops due to their small size, while in the U.S., stolen volumes often include the…
Realm of shadows: John Self on mortality and magic lanterns
Chloe Aridjis’s novel *The Shadow of the Object* follows Flora, a writer whose hand injury leads her into an introspective journey between Mexico and England,…
A memoirist shares his tips and reflections on life writing
Blake Morrison has released a new guide offering practical advice and thoughtful reflections on the craft and ethics of life writing, organized alphabetically to cover…