56 h. ago I Gave You Eyes and You Looked Toward Darkness by Irene Solà review – makes most fiction feel timid

This Catalonian tale of a botched pact with the devil has the demonic excess of a Hieronymus Bosch paintingMargarida is trapped in Mas Clavell, a farmhouse in the Catalonian mountains, with Bernadeta. Bernadeta is dying in an annoying way, with “deep, raspy snores”. Margarida herself has been dead for some time. Rather than ascend to heaven, she has been “dragged downstairs by the ghastly, insufferable women of the house”. Irene Solà’s teeming third novel, I Gave You Eyes and You Looked Toward Darkness, follows these women, both dead and alive, as they prepare for a party. They cook and scrub, tell stories and make fart jokes. The novel begins at dawn and ends at night, but the historical era jumps around without warning. Now the viceroy’s men are arriving on horseback. Now a teenager is calling everyone a “dumbass”. Now local women are fleeing from Nazi soldiers. Characters shape-shift as much as the timeline. A he-goat becomes a bull, then a cat, then “an unusually long, skinny ma...

Events

4 d. ago Toto Wolff makes Lewis Hamilton feelings clear as Ferrari star and boss get into disagreement

Toto Wolff has backed Lewis Hamilton to come good at Ferrari, even if the seven-time world champion is not quite seeing eye-to-eye with his new employers following a string of disappointments

Politics

7 d. ago Claudia Winkleman looks worlds away from her usual self as she ditches her trademark heavy eyeliner and reveals BAN from the make

The TV presenter, 53, ditched her trademark eyeliner for a photo with her doctor Julian Stevens following the procedure.

Politics

1 week ago Viktor Gyokeres' monster £11m contract offer sees club put EIGHT players up for sale

Manchester United and Arsenal are leading the Premier League interest in Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres but they could face serious interest from overseas following an eye-watering contract offer

Economics

2 w. ago Man City have extra advantage on rivals in transfer market as Club World Cup prize money awaits

Manchester City will look to win the Club World Cup this June and July in an effort to raise major money for transfers as they eye further additions, following the arrival of five new players

Economics

2 w. ago Vaclav Cerny Rangers transfer hope dashed further as Trabzonspor outline plan to meet Czech's demands

Cerny is in demand this summer following his eye-catching loan spell at Ibrox

Politics

2 w. ago Jeremy Clarkson opens up on prostate exam check for cancer after seeing 'many friends go down'

The Clarkson's Farm star has been keeping a close eye on his health following his stay in hospital last year, where the 65-year-old was 'days away from death'

Politics

3 w. ago Reformed Manson follower eyes freedom after 56 years: ‘She’s not the same person anymore’

Patricia Krenwinkel, in prison over Tate-LaBianca killings, recommended for parole but faces uphill battle to be freedPatricia Krenwinkel, a former Charles Manson follower who has been imprisoned for 56 years over her role in the Tate-LaBianca murders in Los Angeles, could go free after being recommended for parole last week.The decision marked a major victory for the aging incarcerated woman after 16 parole hearings. Krenwinkel, now 77, was 21 at the time of the 1969 killings and has been imprisoned longer than any other woman in California. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Reformed Manson follower eyes freedom after 56 years: ‘She’s not the same person any more’

Patricia Krenwinkel, in prison over Tate-LaBianca killings, recommended for parole but faces uphill battle to be freedPatricia Krenwinkel, a former Charles Manson follower who has been imprisoned for 56 years over her role in the Tate-LaBianca murders in Los Angeles, could go free after being recommended for parole last week.The decision marked a major victory for the aging incarcerated woman after 16 parole hearings. Krenwinkel, now 77, was 21 at the time of the 1969 killings and has been imprisoned longer than any other woman in California. Continue reading...

Politics