Hong Kong A counter-revolutionary love story from Hong KongThe Economist The air of freedomA counter-revolutionary love story from Hong Kong Yonfan’s “No. 7 Cherry Lane” is a rare example of avant-garde conservatism DURING …
Brooklyn, NY A technicolour history of BrooklynThe Economist Brooklyn: The Once and Future City. By Thomas Campanella. Princeton University Press; 552 pages; $35 and £27. THE FIRST photograph in Thomas …
Nicholas Nicholas Lemann traces the history of American corporationsThe Economist The descent of manNicholas Lemann traces the history of American corporations
Edward Snowden Edward Snowden’s memoir reveals some (but not all)The Economist From his refuge in Russia, the wanted spy looks back on the controversy he caused Permanent Record. By Edward Snowden. Metropolitan Books; 352 pages; …
Aleppo “For Sama” is a love letter to Aleppo and its peopleThe Economist Syrian film-making“For Sama” is a love letter to Aleppo and its people A BABY GAZES up at the camera, her brown eyes full of wonder. Friends and …
The Handmaid's Tale The sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale” explores the workings of repressionThe Economist Return to GileadThe sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale” explores the workings of repression But in “The Testaments”, Margaret Atwood charts a way out The …
China Independent art institutions serve an important role in ChinaThe Economist Artistic licenceIndependent art institutions serve an important role in China They host the blockbuster exhibitions state-run museums won’t, and …
The Handmaid's Tale The sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale” explores the workings of repressionThe Economist Return to GileadThe sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale” explores the workings of repression But in “The Testaments”, Margaret Atwood charts a way out THEY …
Fight Club “Fight Club” presaged the darker corners of the internetThe Economist Big film, big reach“Fight Club” presaged the darker corners of the internet TWENTY YEARS ago, Hollywood started to reckon with the internet. “The …
Festivals Why democracy festivals, a staple in northern Europe, are spreadingThe Economist Political partiesWhy democracy festivals, a staple in northern Europe, are spreading Come for the beer—and stay for a chat with the president IN THE …
Salman Rushdie Salman Rushdie’s new novel is a metafictional rompThe Economist Tilting at windmillsSalman Rushdie’s new novel is a metafictional romp Quichotte. By Salman Rushdie.Random House; 416 pages; $28. Jonathan Cape; …
Vladimir Putin A bold new play about Alexander Litvinenko’s murderThe Economist Laughter in the darkA bold new play about Alexander Litvinenko’s murder Tradecraft, statecraft and stagecraft mingle at the Old Vic theatre A MAN LIES …
Poland Poland’s forgotten heroism and sufferingThe Economist First to Fight: The Polish War 1939. By Roger Moorhouse.Bodley Head; 400 pages; £25. EVERYONE AGREES that the second world war was seismic. Ask when …
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Languages are a battleground for nationalistsThe Economist THE MUSEUM that honours Johannes Aavik in Kuressaare, a small town on an Estonian island, may not seem impressive. Outside, the national flag is …
Culture Even when they say nothing new, candidates’ books can be revealingThe Economist Campaigning in proseEven when they say nothing new, candidates’ books can be revealing VOTERS DO NOT care much about policy. They pick candidates …
Artists Why does anyone care what famous artists ate?The Economist Hungry for detailsWhy does anyone care what famous artists ate? A genre of books explores the gastronomic habits of painters and writers PABLO PICASSO …
Science Fiction Forty years later, “Alien” remains at the apex of sci-fi horror filmsThe Economist The Nostromo, not signing offForty years later, “Alien” remains at the apex of sci-fi horror films Ridley Scott’s film balanced invention and realism, …
Marriage “Marriage Story” probes the painful disintegration of a relationshipThe Economist Art imitating life?“Marriage Story” probes the painful disintegration of a relationship This being a film by Noah Baumbach, the couple depicted are …
Bands "Rebel Sounds" explores the politicisation of music in wartimeThe Economist You can’t stop the beat"Rebel Sounds" explores the politicisation of music in wartime An exhibition at the Imperial War Museum tells the stories of …
Roman Polanski If “An Officer and a Spy” flops, Roman Polanski’s reputation may not be to blameThe Economist ProsperoIf “An Officer and a Spy” flops, Roman Polanski’s reputation may not be to blame The director’s take on the Dreyfus affair is not his worst …
United Kingdom The Jewish immigrants who changed British dietsThe Economist Storms in a teacupThe Jewish immigrants who changed British diets Thomas Harding traces the rise and fall of a catering empire Legacy: One Family, A …
Calais Love in the time of the Black DeathThe Economist Set in the 14th century, James Meek’s new novel speaks to the present, too To Calais, In Ordinary Time. By James Meek. Canongate; 400 pages; £18.99. IN …
Tom Holland Darwin was more Christian than he thoughtThe Economist Says Tom Holland in “Dominion”, his account of Christianity’s influence Dominion. By Tom Holland. Basic Books; 624 pages; $18.99. Little, Brown; £20. IT …
Economics When economists ruled the worldThe Economist They have a lot to answer for, says Binyamin Appelbaum The Economists’ Hour. By Binyamin Appelbaum. Little, Brown; 448 pages; $30. To be published in …
Caucasus A culture clash in the CaucasusThe Economist The dancer and the danceA culture clash in the Caucasus A film about a gay romance has exposed a divide between Georgia and its diaspora THE BALKANS …
Jim Henson Lisa Henson on revisiting “The Dark Crystal”The Economist The film, released in 1982, was Jim Henson’s most ambitious project. Now a prequel series on Netflix will mine its rich mythology MANY PEOPLE may feel …
Kaliningrad Commemorating the devastation of KönigsbergThe Economist The historic Prussian city, now part of Russia, was heavily bombed by allied forces in the second world war THE FATE OF Dresden during the second …
Streaming What Taylor Swift’s pivot to streaming reveals about the music industryThe Economist Look what you made her doWhat Taylor Swift’s pivot to streaming reveals about the music industry It is somewhat surprising given that the star has …
