How Mmusi Maimane became “the Obama of Soweto“
The South African opposition leader is taking on the ruling ANC. But can he deliver on his promises?
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From the Somme to lraq
Jeremy Corbyn’s re-election would give the Labour left a chance to assure its supremacy
Rule changes and deselections could allow the leader’s allies to consolidate their power.
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The wonder that refuses to show up: White Sands by Geoff Dyer
“The scale and frequency of my disappointment,” Dyer writes in his new essay collection, “was proof of how much I…
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Why the Bank of England’s stimulus bazooka won’t be enough to save the economy
The markets have been spooked by Brexit. If we want to improve the economy long term, we need to…
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Why “natural wine” tastes so unnatural
Spraying vines with sulphur ensures a consistent product – but some critics object.
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Twice bottled grief: the defiant life of Tony Garnett
Garnett’s potent memoir The Day the Music Died shows a life defined by the refusal of even the most ordinary…
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The wizard of Oxford: what Tolkien could hear in a voice
Over the radio, J R R Tolkien’s precise and musical voice told us why he’d never have gone to…
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The tolerant philosopher: why Pierre Bayle is the forgotten figure of the Enlightenment
Voltaire said he was the greatest reasoner who ever set pen to paper. But is there a twist to…
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Hygge: the secret of Danish happiness
“Hoo-ga”, “hue-gah” or “hu-ga”? This autumn, everyone will be talking about hygge – or trying to.
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One day, I took a boat ride in Ireland – without knowing it, I drifted into the life of a grieving man
When you appear in a play, you get all sorts of letters. This one broke my heart.
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Theresa May’s bad grammar and the problem with capitalist tea bags
This week’s diary, from the hard job of chairing a child abuse enquiry to climate change denial.
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The Heavenly Table is daft, gruesome, offensive – and loads of fun to read
The fictional world of Donald Ray Pollock’s new novel is compellingly brutal. At times, though, it feels as if it…
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“Midnight Sun”: a short story by Chigozie Obioma
New fiction from the author of the Man Booker-shortlisted novel The Fishermen.
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For many in my fearful, frustrated generation, “having it all” means opting out of monogamy
The Daily Mail would have you believe that polyamory is all wild orgies. Think more tea and washing up rotas.
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Recess confidential: Labour’s love’s lost
Labour HQ is supposed to be neutral in the leadership contest. And yet. . .
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Owen Smith is reviving Project Fear – the Labour leadership contenders should play by the rules
This week on the campaign trail, including our £500bn promise and the trouble with quantitative easing.
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The grammar school debate is back – but the government must do what’s best for all kids
My week in politics, including existential questions, two-tier schools and how Ed Balls beat me to the Strictly ballroom.
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In living colour: the glorious banality of William Eggleston’s photographs
A new exhibition a the National Portrait Gallery shows Eggleston’s talent for capturing ordinary ecstasies.
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Leader: Grammar schools and social mobility
Rather than reinstating grammar schools, focusing on early-years education would be a more productive way of undermining the stranglehold…
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Easy on the hope: Todd Solondz’s playful misery
The director of Wiener-Dog is like Woody Allen’s even-more-despairing kid brother – and I don’t just mean in his looks.
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Eighties nights: why Stranger Things has me hiding behind the sofa
This week, I return to the Eighties with Stranger Things on Netflix and BBC2’s The 80s With Dominic Sandbrook.
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Burials, cremations, dissolving: the new ways to die well
Life after death is changing – thanks to scientific innovation. The best time to plan is now.
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Every doctor has ghosts – one day, one of mine came back to help me
Patricia came in for a consultation six weeks ago. Just turned 70, she remembered her back hurting when she…
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“A part of me is gone“: a poem by Isobel Dixon
It’s not just twins, identical, who feel this way. . .
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A city left behind: post-Brexit tensions simmer in Bradford
With a local council hit by cuts and long-running arguments about immigration, residents are struggling to find a positive…
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