Australian book reviewsBooksReviewIn the hands of its acerbic narrator – dealing with a crushing mental illness – even the darkest material is handled lightly, and is all the more powerful for it
When the reader is first introduced to Martha, the acerbic, straight-talking narrator of Sorrow and Bliss, she is thinking about a wedding held “shortly after” her own, where she answered a woman’s question about how she met her husband by saying, “Patrick’s sort of like the sofa that was in your house growing up”; a thing that was always there, so much so that no one ever “give[s] it any conscious thought”.
First world war This article is more than 9 years oldThe lights to go out across the UK to mark first world war's centenaryThis article is more than 9 years oldBuildings across the country will be plunged into darkness 100 years to the hour after Britain declared war on GermanyAt exactly 100 years to the hour that Britain joined the first world war, the Blackpool illuminations will be turned off, the floodlights on town halls, bridges, churches, theatres and cinemas will be go out, and national institutions including the Houses of Parliament and the BBC will be plunged into darkness.
Houseplant of the weekHouseplantsWith leaves like Matisse cutouts, this is a fine rainforest plant that won’t mind life out of the sun
Why will I love it?
Monstera adansonii is cute and full of character. The heart-shaped leaves look like Matisse has been using them to create his cutouts – it’s easy to see where one of its common names, Swiss cheese plant, is derived.
Light or shade?
It prefers bright, indirect light.
Jonathan Jones on artPornographyIn 1524 Raimondi, an engraver working with Raphael’s circle of sexual libertarians, printed I Modi – The Positions. These pornographic illustrations gave erotic art to the masses
The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester is exhibiting the works of Marcantonio Raimondi (c.1480–1534), a printmaker who collaborated closely with the great Renaissance artist Raphael. The reproductions of Raphael’s paintings that Raimondi undertook helped spread artistic knowledge across Europe. It sounds respectable, even staid.
Robert Downey Jr This article is more than 8 years oldRobert Downey Jr calls British journalist 'bottom-feeding muckraker'This article is more than 8 years oldThe actor who walked out of an interview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy said he was being ‘scrutinised like a kiddie-fiddler who’s running for mayor’
Krishnan Guru-Murthy: do stars and news need to go their separate ways?Read moreRobert Downey Jr has spoken for the first time about walking out of an interview with British journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy, calling the Channel 4 News reporter a “bottom-feeding muckraker”.
OpinionHealth & wellbeing This article is more than 6 months oldSoft play is a nightmare – so why are adults leaping into the ball pit?This article is more than 6 months oldZoe WilliamsOur galloping infantilisation continues at a new centre where there will presumably be less screaming than usual, greater participant continence and a bar. Is this what modern life has come to?
There is a generational sweet spot – I’m guessing anyone between 65 and 80?
Sexual healingSexThere are a host of normal and understandable reasons why you won't want to make love, advises Pamela Stephenson ConnollyI've been with my boyfriend for six years and I really love him. He's great and treats me like a queen. Both of us still live with our parents. Normally we have sex about two or three times a week, but sometimes we don't have sex for a week, and when we meet I'm not in the mood.
Los Angeles holidaysThe author of Rock & Roll Hotels, a new guidebook that lifts the lid on what rock stars get up to after the after-party, on the most rock'n'roll hotel of them all, Chateau Marmont in HollywoodA night at the infamous Chateau Marmont, which rises above the Sunset Strip like a leviathan of gothic glamour, is part of the quintessential Hollywood experience. Actors, musicians, writers and the affluent elite have all been known to hole up in this legendary paparazzi-free zone in order to revel in romantic rebellion.
First Edition newsletterEurope This article is more than 2 months oldThursday briefing: Ukraine moves closer to joining the EU – what does that mean for Europe’s future?This article is more than 2 months oldIn today’s newsletter: Alongside Moldova, Ukraine is officially on the path to EU accession – what does that mean for the future of both countries and the continent?
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Children's booksChildren's booksWhat are the best children's fantasy book series?From Ursula K le Guin’s Earthsea sequence to Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom trilogy, the Book Doctor recommends epic fantasy books to tweens and young teens who want something like Game of Thrones but without the sex and violence
I’m 11 and want to start reading a new fantasy series! I’ve just finished Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, which I loved. I’m really sad that I’ve finished it.