6 h. ago Parallel Lines by Edward St Aubyn review – troubled minds and family mysteries

The Patrick Melrose author brings his trademark dark wit and flinty compassion to this wide-ranging sequelEdward St Aubyn’s previous novel, 2021’s Double Blind, was something of a challenge even for his devotees. Leaving aside the usual gripe that he is never quite as compelling without the shield of his authorial alter ego Patrick Melrose, the obsessive nature of the book’s inquiry into bioethics, narcosis, psychotherapy, oncology, venture capitalism and inheritance made too heady a cocktail to be more than sipped, a few pages at a time. I struggled with it until the very last scene, a charity bash where a schizophrenic young man takes his first terrified steps in employment as a waiter and happens upon a woman who, unknown to both, is intimately related to him. Their chance encounter was intensely moving and tautly suspenseful – you felt an immediate longing to know what would befall them.That longing is now answered in Parallel Lines, which picks up the narrative five years later...

Events

1 week ago The Literary Fiction to take into the Easter weekend: Parallel Lines by Edward St Aubyn, Small Boat by Vincent Delacroix, Back in the Day by Oliver Lovrenski

Claire Allfree reviews the Literary Fiction out now.

Events

1 week ago ‘My heart broke’: director Ryan Coogler on mourning Chadwick Boseman, rebooting Black Panther and his new movie Sinners

The highest grossing Black film-maker of all time is known for his superhero movies and reinventing the Rocky franchise. Now he’s made his most personal film yet – and it’s a vampire thrillerWe’re supposed to be talking about movies, but Ryan Coogler has family on his mind when we have our video call – parents, siblings, twins, ancestors and, most of all, his two daughters. “It’s all good, kids not up yet,” the director says in his Oakland drawl. He’s speaking from a New York hotel room, the morning after the premiere of his new movie, Sinners. But, sure enough, 10 minutes into our conversation, his daughters, three and five, come into the room and bundle on to his lap. “Aw, here’s my little ones, bro.” A toy boomerang flies into and out of shot. “Daddy’s gotta work,” he patiently explains. Noises off-screen and doors closing.Anyway, where were we? Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Lisa Nandy says she has changed her mind about abolishing royal family

The minister had said during the 2020 Labour leadership campaign she would vote to scrap the monarchy if such a vote was held.

Politics

2 w. ago Family who unleashed 'orgy of mindless disorder and destruction' during Southport

Council worker Connor Hicks, 20, and his cousins Cameron and John Williams, 29 and 32, were part of an angry mob that rampaged through Sunderland last August.

Science

2 w. ago Family who unleashed 'orgy of mindless disorder and destruction' during far

Council worker Connor Hicks, 20, and his cousins Cameron and John Williams, 29 and 32, were part of an angry mob that rampaged through Sunderland last August.

Science

last month Emmerdale fans' minds blown as Sharma family member actor has famous pop star daughter

ITV Emmerdale fans have been left speechless after discovering that a soap legend is the mother of a famous pop star, with the pair sharing the same surname

Politics