Book of the weekFictionReviewThis personal portrait of grief and politics in 1960s County Wexford does everything a great novel shouldWhat is it that commands us, in good writing? There are a few fiction writers whose words reach out to us from the very first sentences of a book, compelling our assent and our delight. Toíbín is one of these writers, for me. Taste – the leap of response to a particular writer – feels sensuous rather than intellectual. Read More...
News blogChildrenThe controversy over teen father Alfie Patten: Who's the daddy?Tawdry revelations have emerged since news broke of the 13-year-old Eastbourne boy fathering a childThe story of "child dad" Alfie Patten has lurched from soap opera to farce since it emerged last week that he had become a father at just 13 years of age.
When the Sun broke the story it was hard not to be shocked by the sight of the baby-faced teenager, whose voice has not even broken yet, posing with his daughter Maisie, which led to the Conservatives citing the case as an example of Britain's social decline. Read More...
Observer book of the weekHistory booksReviewThis haunting history explores 350 years of ‘Russocentric exceptionalism’, debunking the myths fuelling Putin’s imperialism
For Russia’s liberals, these are unhappy times. A decade or so ago, it was possible to imagine a better, brighter future without Vladimir Putin. Street protests would drive him from power, maybe. And after a dark period of authoritarian rule, Alexei Navalny – or another opposition figure – would bring the country back to democracy and common sense, the hope went. Read More...