An outsider perspective on the TV industry exposes its sexism, racism and complacencyIn 2018, the actor and screenwriter Michaela Coel addressed the bigwigs of the television industry at the Edinburgh festival. She had been invited to deliver the 43rd …
Legends of the fall: the 50 biggest books of autumn 2021
From new novels by Sally Rooney and Colson Whitehead to Michel Barnier’s take on Brexit, Bernardine Evaristo’s manifesto and diaries from David Sedaris – all the releases to look out for Continue reading…
‘I was on a list to be terminated’ – Sue Dobson, the spy who helped to end apartheid
She risked arrest, torture and jail to fight racism in 1980s South Africa, and her story is being made into a filmAs a white South African, Sue Dobson risked arrest, torture and imprisonment spying for the black nationalist cause during the latter days…
Strangers on a Pier by Tash Aw review – an intimate family portrait
A Malaysian novelist of Chinese descent explores his roots – and the shadow of family traumaYears ago I was queueing in a fruit and veg shop in Cornwall with my half-Chinese dad when an elderly woman came up and asked him: “Where are you from?”“Liverpo…
From Ghetts to Genesis, Nick Cave to Arlo Parks: autumn 2021’s essential music
From Fontaines DC to the Valkyrie, a techno Halloween to Little Simz, this is the unmissable music of the next few months Continue reading…
Strangers on a Pier by Tash Aw review – memories of a Malaysian outsider
Aw’s memoir subtly laments the gulf between him and his parents, the present and the pastThe novelist Tash Aw was 15 when he noticed the difference. He knew that his classmates at school weren’t all ethnically Chinese like him. There were Tamil kids wh…
Mel Brooks announces his first memoir at the age of 95
All About Me!, to be published on 30 November, will cover everything from the film director’s military service to his long comedic partnership with Carl ReinerAt the age of 95, the comedian and film-maker Mel Brooks has written his first memoir. All Ab…
Girlhood by Melissa Febos review – when a girl becomes a woman
A former dominatrix is eviscerating in her exploration of the sexual submission required as young women matureAmerican author Melissa Febos is many things the average reader very likely won’t be, among them a former dominatrix and a recovering heroin a…
Chaise Longue by Baxter Dury review – teenage kicks with the Blockheads
This unflinching memoir by the son of Ian Dury recalls his chaotic life with the ‘pot-soaked Fagin’ and his bodyguardThe first time Baxter Dury performed on stage was at his famous father’s wake. While various stars worked their way through the Ian Dur…
Baxter Dury: ‘Everything was about Dad. It was the only way he knew how to survive’
The musician talks about growing up with a pop star dad, escaping his shadow – and the 6ft 7in drug dealer who lived with them• Read an exclusive extract from Chaise Longue: ‘After a certain point of drinking, Dad’s behaviour became a lottery’Baxter Du…