The passage of Ragtime
Half a century on, how does E.L. Doctorow’s great American novel fare?
Books
Tuesday
A profound account of the October 7 pogrom
Douglas Murray has authored a book for the ages
Ocean Vuong’s newest work is an affecting celebration of misfits
For all its flaws, The Emperor of Gladness is ultimately a worthwhile novel with a big heart
Keith McNally’s memoir is strangely unappetizing
I didn’t enjoy I Regret Almost Everything
Thursday
The final act of Thomas Pynchon
The most reclusive major author in America is having something of a moment in 2025 and is set to release his ninth novel
Wednesday
Amanda Knox’s new memoir asks what lies next
Free is expansive; contemplative in parts and kooky in others
The double life of a single man
Two biographies connect the life and work of Christopher Isherwood
A Charles Dickens patchwork
A night walk through the world of an author haunted by humanity
Wednesday
Val Kilmer should be more appreciated in death than he was in life
He had a remarkable career in American film, and one that can be seen more clearly now
Tuesday
A crisp and refreshing account of the apple
Sally Coulthard is cheerful and informative company on every leaf of this charming book
Saturday
Apple TV+’s Dope Thief is an ugly mess
It’s not funny, surprising, or particularly eventful
Thursday
How F. Scott Fitzgerald anticipated our modern age
The Great Gatsby turns 100 this month
Caroline Calloway wants to give you some advice
An unbidden collaboration between living and dead writers is as mad as you might expect
Scott Turow’s latest novel attempts to understand humanity
If Presumed Guilty seems slightly hollow, that may be because it’s all been done before so many times that it’s difficult to be original
A biography of Lorne Michaels that strays into hagiography
Susan Morrison’s book sets itself two tasks: where did its hero come from? And why is he so good at what he does?
Wednesday
Why Europe needs to take the Putin threat more seriously
Keir Giles’s new book deserves a wide readership
Tuesday
The courage of Salman Rushdie
His actions over the past few years have shown a breathtaking degree of courage and bravery that it is hard to imagine many of his peers matching
Monday
Evie Wyld’s latest novel is unsettling yet hopeful
The Echoes is full of ghosts
Monday
The Einstein family atrocity
A shocking read about a World War Two tragedy
Bill Gates’s memoir offers an oddly revealing look into the Microsoft founder’s psyche
Source Code is really a book about perseverance in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds