“The outbreak of a mysterious and deadly disease” and the search for a vaccine. Is this an extract from the BBC on the developments of COVID-19? No, this is the synopsis to Stanley Johnson’s novel The Virus.
Capitalising on the Coronavirus
The Mystery of the Mind’s Eye
Emily Cooper Smith Are you an avid reader who finds it hard to fathom why certain people dislike reading? For some, Aphantasia could be the answer. If I told you to think […]
The Faces of Ken Kesey
Ken Kesey’s first published novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest saves to be a story that is more than just a simple journey taken with characters.
The Twitter Thread: Modernising a Good Yarn-
The revolution that the world has seen in terms of communication and media is unparalleled in any other era in history, suddenly everyone has access to limitless entertainment and stories at the tips of their fingers, and more importantly, most of it is free.
Elegant Emma: Wilde’s Austen adaptation is picture-perfect
Parasols, petticoats, sweets and trifles – Autumn de Wilde’s 2020 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma is the epitome of decadence. Critics have called it “lavish”, “totally delicious”, and “picture-perfect”. But does a focus on all things pretty make us appreciate Austen’s work or take it less seriously?
Fire Assembly Point: Gather Here
At the Courtauld Institute, there is a movement towards a digital, free-thinking art writing matrimony: Fire Assembly Point. I spoke to India Picton, who pioneered the magazine from its early stages into the dazzling and exciting space it exists as today. This interview highlights some of the main issues that students face with academic writing and the steps we can take to write creatively and without restriction.
“It’s funny seeing the word ‘big’ associated with me”: An interview with BooksNest
Beth, or BooksNest as she is known online, is a successful book blogger who recently grew her Twitter account to 10,000 followers. BooksNest often reviews young adult fiction, though branches out into other genres too. I spoke to Beth about why she loves blogging and what she has gotten out of it.
Are Celebrities Real Authors?
Publishing is competitive, ruthless and inherently flawed. At the same time, rather frustratingly, there is no clear solution. But one thing is clear: although celebrities are convenient scapegoats, it’s not their fault.
Don’t let the books grind you down
I used to have enough books to fill two tall bookshelves. In the summer of 2017, I donated almost all of them. It might seem like a bizarre twist of logic but getting rid of my books made me more of a reader.
Paris Bookshops: Culture Can’t Be Bought
From an outsider’s perspective, Paris is a city of culture, romance, and art. You value the atmosphere as you stroll through the streets and think of all the great artists who have walked before you. It is no surprise then, that “the bookshop” is one of the most popular tourist destinations.
