51 m. ago Service by John Tottenham review – comic confessions of a grumpy bookseller

Working in a bookshop while failing to write a novel, the narrator admits to being a ‘living cliche’ in this bitter black comedy“I had become a living cliche: the cantankerous bookseller,” the narrator declares a third of the way through John Tottenham’s debut novel. “No book or movie that included a scene set in a bookstore was complete without such a stock ‘character’.” That’s one way to pre-empt criticism, and Sean Hangland is just such a stock figure. Embittered, rude, apathetic, resentful of the success and happiness of others and intellectually snobbish, he’s a 48-year-old aspiring writer who makes ends meet, just about, working in an independent bookshop in a gentrifying part of LA.He worries about turning 50 having made nothing of his life. He notes, lugubriously, that he barely seems to get any writing done and that – having no gift for plot, characterisation or prose – the novel he claims to be trying to produce will be lousy anyway. He keeps bumping into ol...

Politics

58 m. ago Samuel West touched by ‘outpouring of love’ for Prunella Scales

Actor West said his mother Scales’ acting career means she can still be watched ‘at all times of her life’, after her death last month.

Politics

60 m. ago Italy officially makes femicide a crime – punishable with life imprisonment

The vote coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Events

75 m. ago What is ‘gray rocking’? How it could help you this festive season

The behavioural technique could help with awkward family gatherings

Politics

79 m. ago 'Our son was happy and healthy until he was 9 and now he breathes through a tube'

Jude Keil was a loving, happy and healthy boy who had a zest for life, but his whole world was turned upside down when he fell ill and was left unable to speak or walk

Politics

82 m. ago Man drops camera into ocean and what it films leaves experts stunned

YouTuber Barny Dillarstone spent two nights in the Indo-Pacific region looking for underwater species considered 'new to science', but made a discovery that left experts scratching their heads

Politics

90 m. ago Amazon Black Friday warning as 300 million shoppers at risk of cyber attack

Amazon has issued a warning to customers as Black Friday gets underway, with the online retail giant saying that some 300 million shoppers are at risk of being targeted by cyber criminals

Events

93 m. ago Mum thought son was 'going to die' as he screamed 'they're trying to stab me'

The 13-year-old boy was left traumatised after a masked gang threatened him and his friends with knives before stealing two electric bikes

Events

100 m. ago Shoppers rush to buy discounted 'great little' razor in pre Black Friday deal

This men's grooming device has been hailed by buyers and it can be snapped up for less

Economics

1 hour ago Bagpuss creator's son took his own life after getting letter from the NHS

Daniel Postgate had followed in his father's footsteps and was an award-winning producer

Politics

1 hour ago I'm A Celebrity Angry Ginge's mum left in tears as 'real reason' for show stint uncovered

The Manchester-born YouTuber was seen getting emotional while taking part in the ITV reality show

Politics

1 hour ago Scottish woman visits region on government's ‘red list’ and says it’s safer than UK

A couple from Scotland ventured to a separatist region in Eastern Europe that is on the UK government's "do not travel to" list and they were left feeling very safe there

Politics

1 hour ago Netflix gives Stranger Things a sendoff befitting of a Hollywood blockbuster

‘It’s definitely been a huge part of my life,’ say fans as Netflix pulls out all the stops for grand farewell to hit show

Politics

1 hour ago Sir Elton John says 'it's been devastating' in health update after 'incredible life'

The 78-year-old star has said he has endured a 'challenging' 15 months after retiring from touring

Politics

2 h. ago Amazon attack warning ahead of Black Friday as 300 million customers at risk

An urgent warning follows a recent report confirming that hackers and cybercriminals are targeting some of the world's biggest brands

Events

2 h. ago 'My son screamed down the phone that they were trying to stab him, I thought he was dying'

A mum has described how a masked gang 'armed with knives' left her 13-year-old son fearing for his life

Events

2 h. ago XL Bully attack on Welsh high street sees woman left with teeth marks on her head

The attack happened on a high street in Wales

Events

2 h. ago Wales international stays despite uncertainty and Jiffy left deeply saddened

The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world

Politics

2 h. ago Mum who murdered her two children, 8 & 6, and hid bodies in suitcases in storage unit for months jailed

A NEW Zealand mum who killed her two young children and hid their bodies in suitcases has been sentenced to life in prison. Hakyung Lee, 45, was ordered on Wednesday to serve at least 17 years behind bars before becoming eligible for parole.  The High Court in Auckland heard she allegedly killed eight-year-old Yuna Jo...

Events

2 h. ago Dick Van Dyke says avoiding two common things is the key to a long life as he nears 100

‘I’ve always thought that anger is one thing that eats up a person’s insides,’ admitted the star as he closes in on landmark birthday

Politics