My Face for the World to See by Alfred Hayes and Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter: Purgative bouts of condemnation
Leo Robson reviews two new novels about the not-so-golden ages of Hollywood history.
ByBook reviews
Read all the latest book reviews from the New Statesman and discover the best novels, non-fiction, essays and biographies. If you’re looking for something more specific, explore our sections dedicated to politics books and history books.
27 June 1969: It’s impossible to fault Seamus Heaney’s clean language and sensuous delight
In 1969, the poet Anthony Thwaite reviewed Seamus Heaney's collection Door into the Dark, alongside other newly-published works, under the…
By“Factual errors“ and “slipshod research“ – the Britannia Unchained Tories must try harder
Proper policy recommendations require hard graft, which is distinctly lacking in this book.
ByYour brain on pseudoscience: the rise of popular neurobollocks
The “neuroscience” shelves in bookshops are groaning. But are the works of authors such as Malcolm Gladwell and Jonah Lehrer…
BySarah Churchwell’s book of the year
Down the Rabbit Hole - Juan Pablo Villalobos
ByBooks of the year 2011: A S Byatt
There But For The - Ali Smith
ByThe Case for God: What Religion Means
At a swift glance, the title of Karen Armstrong’s new book (the subtitle is in very small print) might mislead…
ByNew books reviewed in short
Two new books reviewed in short.
ByEat yourself fitter
If we have a problem with our method of food production, science, not a reactionary retreat into the past, provides…
ByTelling truths
Iris Origo: Marchesa of Val d'Orcia Caroline Moorehead John Murray, 361pp, £22 ISBN 071
ByFight the power
I'm a Little Special: A Muhammad Ali Reader Gerald Early Yellow Jersey Press, 299pp, £8
ByBooks of the century
Elizabeth Young on the courage and daring of Hubert Selby
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