Italo Calvino’s imaginary worlds
The Italian writer, born 100 years ago, first sought to reflect political reality – and then to redefine it.
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Don Quixote brought to life
Carlos Acosta’s playful and fiery take on the 1869 ballet is a joyful marriage of movement and music.
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John le Carré, the great deceiver
The duplicity that defined his spy novels also enabled his relentless pursuit of sexual pleasure.
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The Israel-Hamas war has left Britain divided
Politicians in the UK are nervous to speak about the conflict – but if ever there was a time for…
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Letter from Israel: “Bodies are piling up on three fronts”
I was among the first journalists allowed into Kfar Azza, one of the kibbutz communities that suffered the worst massacres.
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Letter from Gaza: “What we have witnessed has never been seen before”
I have seen children writing their names on the palms of their hands. When they die, they want people to…
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“Long Corbyn” is shaping Labour’s judgements on the Middle East
Your weekly dose of gossip from around Westminster.
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Why I always do business over breakfast
Also this week: the blue suit brigade, conference karaoke.
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Inside Israel’s intelligence fiasco
Security failures allowed Hamas to launch its catastrophic attack on 7 October. Can the Israeli leadership overcome its fatal complacency?
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The darkness of the secret world: Mick Herron and John Gray in conversation
The bestselling author of the Slough House series and the philosopher discuss spy thrillers, the allure of the Cold War…
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The NS Poem: Ah well…
A previously unpublished poem by Laurie Lee.
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Caroline Ellison: victim or crypto queen?
Sam Bankman-Fried’s former girlfriend and Alameda CEO emerged as the star witness for the prosecution in the trader’s trial for…
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Letter of the week: Changing the future in the Middle East
Write to letters@newstatesman.co.uk to have your thoughts voiced in the New Statesman magazine.
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Subscriber of the week: John Hodgson
Please email zuzanna.lachendro@newstatesman.co.uk if you would like to be featured.
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Carlo Rovelli: “Einstein made more mistakes than anyone”
The theoretical physicist on the mysteries of the universe.
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The EU is the “illusory giant” of geopolitics
Despite its wealth and ambition, the European Union is limited as an actor in the great conflicts of our time.
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The Middle East on the brink
This is a perilous moment for the world. Western leaders must be clear-eyed about the potential scale of this conflict.
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Where are all the family dramas?
Breeders isn’t perfect – but it is a rare example of a mainstream show that doesn’t centre around a dead…
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The strange discord of being British and Jewish
Judaism in this country is a mirror of society, reflecting our gratitude, our anxiety and – sometimes – our humour.
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JM Coetzee’s cold realism
The South African writer’s steely eye gives his stories of emotional restraint the feel of modern allegories.
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