Explore Essays and memoir
Sort by:
Sort by:
Best Book of 2014: H is for Hawk
Chigozie Obioma
Chigozie Obioma on Helen Macdonald’s H is for Hawk, the best book of 2014.
Best book of 2015: The Argonauts
Lucia Osborne-Crowley
Lucia Osborne-Crowley on why The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson is the best book of 2015.
Best Book of 1993: The Smell of Apples
Magogodi oaMphela Makhene
Magogodi oaMphela Makhene on Mark Behr’s The Smell of Apples.
Best Book of 1963: The Group
Julia Armfield
‘Cigarettes, lorgnons, eggs benedict, cocktails mixed with maple syrup, long spills down Lanvin suits.’ Julia Armfield on why Mary McCarthy’s The Group is the best book of 1963.
Best Book of 1962: The Pumpkin Eater
Nicole Flattery
Nicole Flattery on why Penelope Mortimer’s The Pumpkin Eater is the best book of 1962.
Best Book of 1952: The Palm-Wine Drinkard
Sandra Newman
Sandra Newman on why Amos Tutuola’s The Palm-Wine Drinkard is the best book of 1952.
Just As It Was
Lucy Scholes
‘Unnatural is as fitting a term as any to describe the life Athill went on to lead, in that the choices she makes continually push against the conventions of her upbringing, class and gender. ’
Best Book of 2001: Natural Goodness
Julian Baggini
Julian Baggini on why Philippa Foot’s Natural Goodness is the best book of 2001.
Best Book of 1937: Busman’s Honeymoon
Caroline Crampton
Caroline Crampton on why Busman’s Honeymoon by Dorothy L. Sayers is the best book of 1937.
Best Book of 2005: Everything Good Will Come
’Pemi Aguda
’Pemi Aguda on Sefi Atta’s Everything Good Will Come, the best book of 2005.
Best Book of 1944: Transit
Lauren Aimee Curtis
Lauren Aimee Curtis on why Transit by Anna Seghers is the best book of 1944.
In Broad Daylight
Johanna Ekström
Johanna Ekström on memory and assault. Translated from the Swedish by Rachel Willson-Broyles.
