Monthly Archives: May 2018

The man who had too much of everything

Talent being at the top of the list. From my Times review of a weighty new account of the rise and fall of the genius that was Robin Williams: The warning signs were there that moment in the 1970s when … Continue reading

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In the know

Insider or outsider? From Robert Verkaik’s new book, “Posh Boys: How the English Public Schools Run Britain”: “Did you go to school?” The question asked of suspected Old Etonians by Old Etonians.

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Mayfly season

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Royal wedding

Windsor, Saturday.

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Richard Pipes RIP

He wasn’t anywhere near as well known in this country as Orlando Figes, but he should have been. I suppose you could describe him as an intellectual who was wary of a certain kind of intellectual. As he puts it … Continue reading

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Parasol

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Pulp

How did “My Dad Wrote A Porno” become an all-conquering global phenomenon? Search me. My review of the Festival Hall version of the erotica-gone-bad podcast: It is a long time since I have seen an audience in quite such an … Continue reading

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Tom Wolfe RIP

The cover of New York magazine containing that celebrated Radical Chic essay. This superb Michael Lewis profile in Vanity Fair digs through Wolfe’s private archives and explains how he managed to get an invitation to Leonard Bernstein’s Black Panther fundraiser. … Continue reading

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Lacklustre

Ladysmith Black Mambazo seem to be stuck in a rut. From my review of their Bath Festival concert: There’s no question that Ladysmith Black Mambazo are a force for good; they are, after all, the singers who provided the soundtrack … Continue reading

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The beautiful game

Sunday afternoon at Bath Cricket Club.

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