22 h. ago ‘It’s notoriously hard to write about sex’: David Szalay on Flesh, his astounding Booker prize

The novel’s protagonist is violent, libidinous and so inarticulate he says ‘OK’ some 500 times. So how did the author turn his story into a tragic masterpiece?When we meet the morning after the announcement of this year’s Booker prize, David Szalay, the winner, seems an extremely genial and gentle author to have created one of the most morally ambiguous characters in recent contemporary fiction. His sixth novel, Flesh, about the rise and fall of a Hungarian immigrant to the UK, is unlike anything you have read before.Szalay (pronounced “Sol-oy”) is often described as “Hungarian-British”, but that has offended Canadians this morning, he says. His mother was Canadian and he was born in that country, where his Hungarian father had moved a few years earlier. “I’m arguably more Canadian than Hungarian.” Now 51, he grew up in England, graduated from Oxford University, and lived in Hungary for 15 years. To make things more confusing, he is over from Vienna, where he now lives with his wife...

Politics

49 h. ago ‘Young audiences are less scared of it’: why London jazz clubs are expanding and thriving against the odds

As the Jazz Cafe and Ronnie Scott’s expand, and Blue Note eyes its arrival, proprietors say there’s an energy in the scene – but financial pressures remainAs small gig venues around the country nervously eye their futures amid rising utility prices and a cost of living crisis, one corner of the live music scene seems to be thriving: London’s jazz clubs.The Jazz Cafe is extending its Camden venue and opening an east London location, Ronnie Scott’s is being refurbished, and New York’s iconic Blue Note club, which has already spread to Japan, Brazil, Italy and China, will open its first London venue next year. And while financial pressures remain, a host of other, smaller venues are bringing in vibrant new audiences. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago LIVE: Greater Manchester street taped off with emergency services at scene

Police and firefighters have been seen in attendance

Politics

5 d. ago Watch: Protests outside Villa Park ahead of Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League match

Warning: This livefeed playback may contain offensive language and scenes viewers may find distressing.

Events

6 d. ago EastEnders' Natalie Cassidy suffered horror injury filming live birth scene

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has revealed she suffered a horror injury while filming the live birth scene of her character Sonia Fowler in the BBC soap

Events

6 d. ago LIVE as crime scene in place after shooting outside south east London library

LIVE as crime scene in place after shooting outside south east London library  News Shopper

Events

8 d. ago LIVE: Street cordoned off and bomb squad called to scene amid ongoing incident

Police, fire crews and paramedics are in attendance along with explosives teams

Events

9 d. ago Armed police shutdown UK street as homes evacuated with emergency services on scene

Emergency services have descended on a residential street this afternoon with several police vans, a fire engine and an ambulance all on the scene. Follow our live blog for updates.

Events

9 d. ago Cumbria train derailment LIVE: Travel chaos as emergency services rush to scene

Emergency services have been called to a train derailment near Shap in Cumbria with all lines blocked and people warned not to travel north of Preston today

Events

1 week ago Terror cops probe knife attack on train as nine fight for their lives and armed police arrest two amid 'horrifying' scenes

A counter terror probe has been launched after a knife rampage on a train near Huntingdon has left nine people fighting for their lives. 

Events

1 week ago Terror probe after knife attack on train leaves nine fighting for their lives as armed police arrest two amid 'horrifying' scenes

A counter terror probe has been launched after a knife rampage on a train near Huntingdon left nine people fighting for their lives. 

Events

2 w. ago LIVE updates as crime scene in place after woman found dead in Tulse Hill home

LIVE updates as crime scene in place after woman found dead in Tulse Hill home  This Is Local London

Events

2 w. ago LIVE as crime scene in place after man dies in west London triple stabbing

LIVE as crime scene in place after man dies in west London triple stabbing  East London Advertiser

Events

2 w. ago LIVE: Police and air ambulance on scene after man struck by vehicle on busy road

A cordon is in place on Darwen Road this afternoon

Transport

2 w. ago TV legend Michael Parkinson’s son reveals late star inspired his ‘surprising’ new role

Chat show host Michael ‘Parky’ Parkinson, who died in 2023, always fancied volunteering as a magistrate. And now his son Mike is doing exactly that

Politics

2 w. ago Sonya Massey’s son arrives in court as jury shown evidence from scene of mom’s fatal shooting: Live updates

Ex-sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson is facing murder charges after he shot Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old single mother of two teenagers who called 911 over a suspected prowler

Events

3 w. ago Sonya Massey trial live: Witness describes chaotic scene after ex

Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old single mother of two teenagers, called emergency responders on July 6 2024 over a suspected prowler at her property in Springfield

Politics

3 w. ago Virgil van Dijk shows true colors with unseen actions towards Alexander Isak

Virgil van Dijk has been accused of not being a leader in recent weeks and the Liverpool captain has shown his true colours behind the scenes

Events

3 w. ago Behind the scenes footage of Man United dressing room after Liverpool victory spoke volumes

Manchester United secured a huge win against rivals Liverpool as Ruben Amorim secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time.

Culture

3 w. ago Strictly's Dianne Buswell says 'it worked' as she shares behind the scenes move before live show

The pro dancer and her partner Stefan returned to the dance floor on Saturday (October 18) after being absent last week

Culture