Debuting at 51: The Pros of Being an Older Novelist
Patrick Freyne reflects on the upsides of releasing his first novel at 51, from avoiding the shadow of early promise to knowing failure intimately.
Patrick Freyne reflects on the upsides of releasing his first novel at 51, from avoiding the shadow of early promise to knowing failure intimately.
Jack Parlett's 'Flamboyance' explores the history and meaning of pushing the boat out, from Oscar Wilde to Lil Nas X, arguing for a politics of sincere self-fashioning.
A letter recalls Dame Bridget Ogilvie's wicked sense of humour during the establishment of the European Bioinformatics Institute in Hinxton, Cambridgeshire.
Zoe Williams shares how her friend group created a unique book club where they analyze each other's problematic text messages instead of reading books.
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RecommendedAndrew Sean Greer's Villa Coco is a charming fish-out-of-water tale set in an Italian paradise, blending wit, insecurity, and self-discovery with a cast of eccentric aristocrats.
Frank Cottrell-Boyce's 'A British Childhood' explores the loss of delight in children's lives and the magic of reading, based on his time as Waterstones children's laureate.
Isabelle Bricknall, a model, fashion designer, stylist, and artist known for her work with Zandra Rhodes and her vibrant creative life, has died aged 71.
Tom Gauld's latest cartoon humorously highlights the white lies book lovers tell, from claiming to have read classics to judging books by their covers.
The rigid three-meal-a-day structure dates to the Industrial Revolution. It's time to consider intuitive eating and snacks for a more spontaneous, pleasurable approach to food.
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RecommendedMore than 3,000 readers voted for their favorite novels, resulting in a diverse list from classics to contemporary works, topped by JRR Tolkien's epic fantasy.
Test your knowledge with the Saturday quiz: from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to anglerfish, Impressionists, and links between Champagne, Mozart, and veal pie.
Test your knowledge with five multiple-choice questions set by children, covering Easter Island statues and fizzy drink burps. Submit your own brainteasers too!
After decades, David Batty reunited with his birth parents. But the reality was nothing like the neat stories on TV—marked by estrangement, tragedy, and unresolved loss.
The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration in London celebrates the art form, highlighting its importance from childhood to cultural commentary, and its enduring value against AI threats.
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RecommendedReaders share strategies for tackling classic novels like Middlemarch and Tristram Shandy, from audiobooks to reading aloud in groups. Tips for overcoming modern distractions.
Joan McGavin shares a vivid memory of the late poet, playwright and novelist Maureen Duffy, who once gave an all-night reading of her novel Gor Saga in Southampton.
Guardian Australia editors and critics select the top upcoming titles for June, including a buzzy debut novel, a wellness true crime exposé, and a cookbook celebrating Bengali food through an Australian lens.
Ryan Bancroft's final concert as BBC National Orchestra of Wales principal conductor featured Stravinsky, Rachmaninov, and Brahms, showcasing his vibrant podium presence and deep musical rapport.
Marjane Satrapi, Iranian-French artist and author of Persepolis, has died at 56. Her memoir transformed global views of Iran, blending humor and humanity to depict revolution, exile, and identity.
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RecommendedGuardian readers share their passionate reactions to the top 100 books list, with many preferring a dessert ranking instead.
Over half of Australia's bookshops closed in a decade. Experts suggest price regulation and tax relief as solutions, but government action remains uncertain.
Girl, Interrupted, adapted from Susanna Kaysen's memoir, becomes a play with music by Aimee Mann at the Public Theater. The production showcases Mann's songs but struggles to convey the memoir's deeper messages.
Ellena Savage's debut novel 'The Ruiners' playfully reimagines Dickens' classic, exploring white privilege, inequality, and flawed human connections with tragicomic wit.
The Guardian Book Club celebrated its 100 Best Novels of All Time poll with a sold-out event at Conway Hall, featuring authors Elif Shafak, Guy Gunaratne, Kate Mosse and Blake Morrison.
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RecommendedAddie E Citchens' debut novel Dominion, shortlisted for the Women's Prize, explores male entitlement, religious performance, and inheritance in a Mississippi town.
Andrea Wulf's revelatory biography of George Forster, an 18th-century explorer who rejected racial hierarchies, is a compelling account of his life and travels with Captain Cook.
Brian Dillon's memoir 'Ambivalence' recounts his determined pursuit of a life in words and ideas, navigating grief, academic struggles, and a passion for avant-garde literature and theory.
A writer traces her family tree back 300 years in Cumbria, discovering ancestors who were fell pony hauliers and lived near her farm, deepening her connection to the land.
Jacinda Ardern adapts her memoir for young readers, focusing on overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt, offering a self-affirming guide to leadership.
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RecommendedReaders respond to a sceptic, highlighting the humour, sex, and profound insights in Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time', encouraging perseverance through the dense prose.