Recent News
07/08/2023:
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A review of The Jewel in the Crown by Paul Scott
"As with I, Claudius, I decided to read this book after being captivated by the DVDs of the television adaptation. The series, like the book, features a large cast of characters, dealing with crises personal and political in India during the Second World War..." More
- Photos.
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06/07/2023:
Video:
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| At Lee Valley in a new kayak |
20/06/2023:
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A review of A Little History of Poetry by John Carey
"One can't fault this book its scope: a history of English-language poetry from Beowulf to Les Murray, including several chapters on ancient and foreign writers that bring in useful context. It is concise, educative and readable..." More
- Photos.
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05/02/2023:
A review of Nothing is Real
by David Hepworth
"A short collection of Hepworth's rock journalism. It is, inevitably, less cohesive than his full-length books..." More
15/01/2023:
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A review of The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold by Evelyn Waugh
"At the beginning of 1954 Evelyn Waugh was in poor physical and mental shape. He was experiencing severe joint pains, drinking too much, consuming large quantities of sedatives, and suffering from memory lapses..." More
- Video:
Sea surfing
01/01/2023:
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A review of I, Claudius by Robert Graves
"*** NOTE: This review contains spoilers *** A few months ago I watched the 1976 BBC serial drama I, Claudius on DVD. Despite its small budget, this tale of intrigue and corruption in the early Roman Empire makes compelling viewing..." More
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Most book reviews now include a photo of the book cover.
- Photos.
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28/11/2022:
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A review of Cassandra Darke by Posy Simmonds
"Posy Simmonds draws cartoons about the lives of artsy metropolitan Brits. She has produced several graphic novels, of which this offbeat crime thriller is one..." More
- Photos.
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23/11/2022:
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A review of James Boswell 's Life of Samuel Johnson
"In Britain at the end of the Eighteenth Century, several literary forms were approaching their maturity. One of them was the novel; another was biography..." More
- Photos.
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31/10/2022:
- Video:
Back in the big bright green pleasure machine - Photos.
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