Novels
The fundamental truths of fiction
Kit Wilson says the slow atrophy of the English novel is contributing to a decline in empathy and the rise of tribalism, trolling and “stay in your lane” identity politics
Satire needs to find new targets
There are still plenty of institutions worth mocking
Brought to Book: James Marriott
Larman on the Editor hounded off Twitter for saying male novelists are being excluded
Criminally good writing
Jeremy Black reviews The Man Who Didn’t Fly, by Margot Bennett
Corto Maltese – graphic novels on a higher plane
The faithful translation of Hugo Pratt’s graphic novels introduces his hero to the wider audience he deserves
British Crime Classics
Jeremy Black’s recommendations for a murderous British genre
The rusty bucket
Six tests for the social care plan
Freeing Speech
A new report is gratifyingly pro-freedom and pro-free speech
Help — they need somebody!
Conference is a special time for Tories — and your kindness can make a difference
Schrodinger’s shield
In the hands of the police it’s a symbol of love — Anyone else will be arrested
Can Davies save the Doctor?
A journey back in time might be the only thing that can revive Doctor Who
Criminal stupidity
Sorting your “he” from your “ze” won’t improve places where one would hesitate to keep farm animals
Total dummies
Reinforcing messages about what makes a “real” boy or girl has no place in schools
“Will this do?”
Johnson’s statement on Afghanistan was, as ever, a masterpiece of bare adequacy
Miserable minimalism
Lisa Hilton says a prime spot near the kitchen is no compensation for a bewilderingly bad evening
Why the other parties should stand
Deflecting ourselves from our own traditions is exactly what terrorists want