Benjamin Wood: ‘John Fowles’s The Magus was so frustrating I threw it at the wall’
Author Benjamin Wood delves into his literary journey, sharing insights on the John Steinbeck novel that brought him to tears, how fatherhood prompted a revisit to Marilynne Robinson's works, and the comforting culinary themes found in James M. Cain's writing.
My earliest reading memory
My earliest reading recollection dates back to age eight, when my mother gifted me Bob Wilson's 'Stanley Bagshaw and the Short-sighted Football Trainer'. For years, I mistakenly believed the author was the renowned Arsenal goalkeeper and ITV sports presenter. Despite this misconception, my admiration for this exceptional rhyming picture book remains undimmed; it's a title I believe deserves republication to encourage a new generation of young readers, much like my own sons who now cherish it.
My favourite book growing up
During my secondary school years, John Steinbeck's 'The Red Pony' left a profound impression. I was captivated by the author's remarkable ability to paint vivid landscapes through prose. It also marked the first time a novel brought me to tears, a testament to the powerful storytelling that resonates with me to this day.
Fresh materials — Society news
Esther Rantzen, TV Presenter and Childline Founder, Dies at 86
Esther Rantzen, the Bafta-winning television presenter and creator of the charity Childline, has died at 86. Her family described her as “the most wonderful mother” and “cherished grandmother,” whose “legacy of compassion and understanding will live on in her charities Childli
How Zach Cregger's Resident Evil Captures the Game's Essence
Some Resident Evil fans have voiced dissatisfaction online with Zach Cregger’s film adaptation, calling it "not a real Resident Evil movie." Yet, despite the absence of iconic heroes like Leon or Claire, familiar villains, and well-known settings, Cregger's interpretation stands out a
Questions for Michael Winterbottom
The 90s are currently in vogue, but they wouldn't have happened without the 80s. Michael Winterbottom's 2002 film, 24 Hour Party People, explores Manchester's music scene from the Sex Pistols' 1976 gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall, through Factory Records, Joy Division, New Order, an
Mighty Sparrow, Trinidad and Tobago's 'Calypso King of the World,' Dies at 91
Slinger Francisco, known on stage as the Mighty Sparrow and hailed as the “calypso king of the world,” has died at 91. His family confirmed his peaceful passing surrounded by loved ones in New York on Sunday, stating it followed a brief illness. Francisco rose to prominence in calypso music
Korea review – a nirvana of wild beauty shattered by the 20th century
Can they replicate the success? The British Museum's blockbuster Bayeux Tapestry exhibition has set a high bar. Now, they follow with "Korea," an exploration of "2,000 years of creativity" from a land that, prior to the 20th century's hardships, experienced millennia of peace, as refl
Taylor Swift's "The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore": A Human Glimpse Amidst Bitter Love Songs
Taylor Swift's decision to release an expanded version of her album, "The Life of a Showgirl," titled "The Encore," has sparked speculation. Many fans believe it's a strategic move to influence Grammy voters or to disrupt chart records. This follows Swift's earlier statement that "