Out Of My Head by Tim Parks
The Observer, July 2018 Close your eyes for a second and think of a loved one, a familiar place; even, say, a favourite Harry Kane goal. They all seem indelibly marked on the mind – […]
BOOKS
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
The Observer, August 2018 Early in Rebecca Makkai’s stylish and ambitious new novel, one of her protagonists, Fiona, is pondering life in her 50s. She feels tired, guilty. Everyone she loved has “died or left”. […]
In brief: Reservoir 13; Nefertiti’s Face; Restless Souls
The Observer Jon McGregor’s interesting take on crime in the community, a breezy history of the Egyptian queen by Joyce Tyldesley and an enjoyable first tragicomic novel from Dan Sheehan Reservoir 13 Jon McGregor 4th […]
Banipal Prize winner Robin Moger on the tricky art of translation
The National Award-winning translator Robin Moger is remembering the first time he came across The Book Of Safety by Egyptian novelist Yasser Abdel Hafez. “I was so excited,” he says. “I got such a strong […]
Ahmed Saadawi on finding Frankenstein in Baghdad
The National A grotesque, unnamed creature sculpted by human hand escapes onto the streets, bringing mayhem and murder. As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, it might sound familiar, but this particular […]