Voices of St Joan
Bakewell’s random reflections on life are confused, contradictory — and, well, a bit half-baked
A plague on all P-words
Anakana Schofield’s novel of social and mental breakdown fizzes with surface humour — but it’s not an easy read
A people horrible to behold
Two new books take equal delight in celebrating the city’s violent past and vibrant present
Stop calling me ‘Goat’
Parks’s latest novel is entitled Thomas and Mary: A Love Story — but there is no romance, no Mary, and not much of a plot
Rescuing old Nick
Owen Hopkins rescues England’s least known architect from the shadows of Wren and Vanbrugh and gives him the prominence he deserves
Frozen beards and hot tempers
George Finch was a brave mountaineer and an inventive scientist — but, according to Robert Wainwright, his fellow alpinists couldn’t stand him
The trouble with mothers
There is little kindness in this novella about a hospitalised American writer estranged from her husband, children and parents— particularly her mother
Sixty years on
In two books on the upheavals — and communist scare-mongering— 60 years ago at home and abroad, Soviet Man seems a model of tact compared to the imperious British establishment
The big steal
Robert S. Boynton provides is a hair-raising account of North Korea’s kidnapping and brainwashing of countless Japanese citizens — to no purpose whatsoever
The inglorious Twelfth
Richard Huscraft’s vivid stories of the Angevins’ precarious mini-empire make the 12th century a joy to read about for a change
Whodunnit?
Question marks over attribution - and character - are at the heart of the a forthcoming Giorgione exhibition at the Royal Academy
Mozart magic
Plus: Tim Albery's Cosi for Opera North locks onto the opera's misogyny with sadistic intensity
Fashion faux pas
The original was like going on a drunk night out with the funniest people you know. The sequel just made me feel old
Master of psychology
Plus: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at the Lyttelton is a gripping melodrama that makes you catch you breath with horror
Organic chemistry
Solemn yet unintentionally comical, the instrument is often overlooked. Yet you can't understand Bach without getting to grips with his chorale preludes
The big reveal
Plus: I hate myself for listening to the current Archers storyline but for the first time ever I simply can't miss an episode
In excess
BBC1's Happy Valley may sound excessive and silly, but it isn't half as excessive or silly as The X-Files which has just returned to Channel 5
Low life
The highlight of the Cologne carnival was a wrestling match between a pair of drunk Italians dressed as polar bears
Real life
On the Surrey Hampshire border is a vet who follows such an outdated ethical code I won’t give his identity away
Long life
The ill-conceived Clean for the Queen campaign asks for deference on an embarrassing scale — and it won’t work
Bridge
It’s got to be the most bizarre news story of the year: last week, no fewer than 50 Thai police…
Mighty Magnus
The world champion is back on form. After winning the overall laurels in last year’s Grand Tour, and taking first…
No. 395
White to play. This position is from Van Wely-Carlsen, Wijk aan Zee 2016. Carlsen had a lucky escape in this…
