Latest Stories
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Harry Potter author launches book for adults
J.K. Rowling’s ‘The Casual Vacancy’ was released this week. It is the first adult’s book from the celebrated children’s author. Has she succeeded in crossing the divide?
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Memoir reveals the secrets of Rushdie fatwa
In 1989, a Muslim leader condemned writer Salman Rushdie to death for his ‘blasphemous’ novel ‘The Satanic Verses’. Now, Rushdie’s new memoir makes the case for freedom of speech.
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Internet celebrates thirty years of emoticons
In 1982 an academic logged onto a university forum and posted a fateful innovation: the smiley. Three decades later, emoticons are everywhere – but they are not always welcome.
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Booker shortlist prizes literary establishment
The shortlist for the Man Booker Prize was announced yesterday. But the year’s best novels share the literary world with a growing mass of self-published books.
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Critics row over film version of Tolstoy’s love story
Anna Karenina, the tale of a doomed woman torn between her family and a compelling love affair, is often called the world’s greatest novel. How does a film director tackle a classic?
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Wit, writer, ‘modern Oscar Wilde’: Gore Vidal dies
After a life at the heart of American glamour and controversy, author and essayist Gore Vidal has died. Many say the world has lost one of the last real celebrities of intellect and wit.
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Prime Minister picks Jerusalem for English anthem
England does not have its own national anthem. Today, there is talk of that changing – and David Cameron has put forward Jerusalem as his favourite for England’s official song.
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Shakespeare’s history plays revived for a TV age
Four brand new adaptations of Shakespeare’s history plays have been launched on the BBC. They tell stories of power, politics and identity — but should the plays really be called history?
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Top tweeters find influence in aphorisms
With millions of followers, today’s best tweeters are increasingly powerful cultural figures. Much of their appeal lies in wit and cleverness – but is this really the best form of expression?
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Poems to be compulsory in English primary schools
Children will start learning and reciting poetry at the age of just five, under curriculum reforms proposed by Education Secretary Michael Gove. But is learning verse a waste of time?
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Taliban poetry collection hits British shelves
The launch of a new poetry anthology is causing controversy in the UK. The reason? The poems were written by fighters from the notorious Afghan Taliban.
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Celebrated ‘Wild Things’ creator dies aged 83
Children’s author Maurice Sendak has died of a stroke. His dark, surreal stories and beautiful illustrations were adored by young and old – but they were more than just playful fantasies.
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Modern tech saves ancient tongues from extinction
Like thousands of others around the world, Ktunaxa – an ancient Native American language – is dying out. Now, the 20 remaining native speakers are using technology to keep the tradition alive.
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Literacy skills falling short in UK schools
Britain’s young people are not making the grade in literacy, according to the Chief Inspector of Schools. Reading and writing are essential to success. What can we do to solve this crisis?
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Britons literally furious about misused words
When Nick Clegg misused ‘literally’ on Saturday, UK grammar enthusiasts were furious. The word has been used wrongly for years – but can the evolution of language ever be reversed?