Clare Chambers: ‘Iris Murdoch taught me that a novel could be about absolutely anything’

The author on Anthony Trollope, Andrew Miller, and why she sided with 19th-century coal minersMy earliest reading memory I have the fuzziest memory of an illustrated Grimms’ fairy tale called Jorinde and Joringel from the time before I could read. I made my mum take it out of the library over and over again. It was about a quest for a flower with some special powers. I wish I could remember why it had such a hold over me.My favourite book growing up I think a sense of humour is forged in childhood and I remember crying with laughter as my older sister read me the Jennings books by Anthony Buckeridge. It didn’t bother me that they were all about prep school boys – it was the comedy of embarrassment that really spoke to me. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Johnny Depp admits he makes people uncomfortable – and he’s fine with it

Evening Standard

Comments

Culture

Johnny Depp admits he makes people uncomfortable – and he’s fine with it

Thousands of people soak up the heatwave at Trnsmt festival

When is Fortnite's next update?

What is the ‘Superman curse’ and why has it made the role so hard to cast?

Modern Family star Ariel Winter says ‘male predators’ in Hollywood caused her ‘trauma’

Salt Path author’s next book delayed due to ‘considerable distress’

'I feel like my identity has been hijacked' – The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs is getting our house in order

'Woke' Superman is slammed by Dean Cain who played the superhero on TV in right-wing rant

Emily Kam Kngwarray at Tate Modern: 'helps broaden understanding of Indigenous cultures'

Monty Python star says he’d be in ‘select company’ if thrown out of Trump’s America

‘Wildly entertaining’ sci-fi series with 97% Rotten Tomatoes score gets second season

Ryan Reynolds’ forgotten 90s TV series finally streaming in the UK

Netflix renew drama watched for 331,000,000 hours – I can’t understand why

Gino D’Acampo ‘to start new life abroad’ following sexual misconduct allegations

Chris Brown denies further ‘bottle attack’ charges

Ed Sheeran fans from around the world queue overnight for homecoming concert

One to Watch: Antonia Desplat, star of Johnny Depp's wild new film

Now I want to watch Netflix’s ‘ultimate grandmother of all bad movies ever made’

Fiona Phillips’ husband makes heartbreaking admission about her Alzheimer’s diagnosis

Justin Bieber’s Swag is a god-fearing, hyper-sexual slog

The Oval actor who accused Tyler Perry of sexual harassment in $260M lawsuit says he ‘couldn’t stay silent’

Lena Dunham reveals she received ‘incredibly conservative’ backlash for her HBO series Girls

Black Superman film ‘dismissed’ by Warner Bros CEO for being ‘too woke’

The internet hates Botox and filler — but only when it looks bad

Netflix fans are obsessed with ‘perfect show’ after bingeing all 10 episodes

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 2025 UK start time for free YouTube live stream

Music festival cancelled after huge outcry over Kanye West headlining

Nye at the National Theatre: 'Michael Sheen shines'

What festivals are taking place in London this weekend and where?

All 4 films in iconic horror series hailed ‘a cinematic masterpiece’ coming to Netflix

James Gunn’s Superman reboot will make you believe in superhero movies again

Billie Eilish shows off an introvert’s approach to pop spectacle at her London show

Liam Gallagher to make Manchester tram announcements as part of reunion tour

Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra concert cancelled at last minute due to ‘illness’

K-pop singer Taeil sentenced to over 3 years in prison for rape

Justin Bieber’s releases surprise ‘dark and vulnerable’ seventh album

Justin Bieber releases first new album in four years called Swag

Justin Bieber teases surprise album with huge billboard in Times Square

Oasis reunion: Setlist and how to get tickets ahead of the band’s Manchester shows

Coronation Street reveals identity of Gary Windass’s mystery attacker after shock coma

Justin Bieber drops surprise seventh album Swag

Superman fans left conflicted about controversial plot twist in new movie

Fans thrilled as ‘one of the best shows of the 2000s’ gets reboot

I wasn’t a Billie Eilish fan until her London gig completely changed my mind

Oasis to play first gig in Manchester for nearly 16 years

Johnny Depp: ‘If Hollywood execs weren’t worried, I wasn’t doing my job’

Oasis fans handed warning ahead of Noel and Liam’s return to Manchester

Bob Dylan announces 2025 UK and Ireland tour dates

Gregg Wallace ‘banned from working at the BBC’

Slovakia music festival cancelled after outcry over Kanye West performance

Pokemon voice actor James Carter Cathcart dies aged 71

Justin Bieber releases surprise new album

TV doctor and IVF pioneer quits BMA over strikes

Joseph Quinn says Beatles role is beyond his ‘wildest dreams’

15 times directors ditched major blockbusters: ‘I’m not going to be happy doing this’

Night at the Museum to be rebooted by less than 20 years after release of first film

Netflix announces longest-running unscripted show is ending after 10th season

Billie Eilish, The O2 review: a dazzling, rule-breaking masterclass

Michelle Yeoh confirmed for new version of one of the most successful movies ever

Big Bang Theory fans brand ‘multiverse armageddon’ spin-off show ‘ridiculous’