Contemporary Literature
A shapeless, moving, end in itself
So entropic is Geoff Dyer’s latest that the reader seeks desperately for structure
Thinkers, writers and storytellers
Narrative, voice and good novels — not always at the same time
Why we need a new movement
The timid world of BritLit needs to be shaken up by a mutinous new clique of writers
Sparks, glitterballs and masterworks
The greatest works of fiction published this year
The Critic Books Podcast: The Gardener
On this episode of The Critic Books podcast, Francesca Peacock speaks to Salley Vickers about The Gardener
Tory Story
Playtime is never over in Westminster
Putting religious freedom back on the map
The next Prime Minister must pick up the torch of liberty
Papa can you hear me?
Offering prayers for the government — God knows they need them
Rooster booster
Pretty much the whole of Jerusalem is in some way “problematic”, which is why people relish it
All Trussed up
Everything was on track for Liz, until Mordaunt derailed the campaign
Britain, 2049
You’ll own nothing, and you won’t be particularly happy about it
When the left loves flags
Modish causes satisfy tribal instincts
Uncommon entrance
Hector’s Common Entrance is looming
Wining and dining = reconciling
If turbulent priests can reach an accord over food and drink, then so can politicians
Women’s rights shouldn’t be up for debate
MPs need to stop questioning the rights of biological women
Is classical colonial?
Naive proposals to “decolonise” Western classical music risk losing the richness of its history