Fatima Clarke 
The wave of memoirs from artists in the wake of the pandemic continues unabated, yet Patti Smith occupies a unique position. Initially emerging as a poet who penned the foundations of punk, before transitioning to a pop icon and subsequently stepping back from the limelight to focus on family life, Smith has, in the recent … Read more
Top Selection of the Week Spotlight: IMO – The Look The latest addition to Michelle Obama’s IMO podcast series aligns with the release of a coffee-table book detailing her sartorial journey. This sleek production (typical of the Obamas) features notable guests like ex-Teen Vogue chief Elaine Welteroth and actress Jane Fonda. True to Michelle Obama’s … Read more
‘Nothing has really shifted,” laments Eve Libertine as she reflects on her latest musical project. Her new album, titled “Live at the Horse Hospital,” remains steeped in the anti-establishment ethos that defined her early career. Captured during an intense performance in London in April 2024, the album features Libertine teaming up with Chilean guitarist Eva … Read more
In an era where truth often feels besieged and media fragments into countless pieces, a reliable, authoritative voice is invaluable. Enter Morgan Freeman, an actor whose roles have included a U.S. president, Nelson Mandela, and even God himself. Freeman also succeeded Walter Cronkite as the voice of the CBS Evening News intro. If John Gielgud’s … Read more
How Sesame Street Shaped a British Generation A whole cohort of British adults grew up with Sesame Street as a cornerstone of their childhood. You can recognize these individuals by their enduring kindness, the decades-long loop of the Pointer Sisters’ pinball counting song in their heads, and their tendency to say “zee” instead of “zed” … Read more
The Tragic Passing of Caroline Flack On the night of February 15, 2020, the unsettling news of Caroline Flack’s suicide was confirmed. Her residence in London was the scene where she was discovered deceased. Even after several years, her death remains profoundly disturbing. Caroline was a cherished television presenter in the UK, prominently known for … Read more
Pauline Collins stood out as an extraordinary talent in the realm of light-comedy acting—a domain where she described herself as most comfortable. Yet, it was her ability to evoke profound emotional responses from even the most impassive viewers that set her apart. This quality was most evident in her role in Willy Russell’s “Shirley Valentine,” … Read more
Sydney Sweeney endured a grueling physical transformation to portray Christy Martin in David Michôd’s biographical film. The movie, which vividly brings to life the boxing matches that catapulted Martin to fame in the 1990s, shows that victory wasn’t always in the cards for her. Watching the film, I was astounded by the realism of the … Read more
Martin Parr might easily blend into a crowd with his unassuming demeanor, dressed in a plain sweater—likely from Marks & Spencer—and practical sandals paired with socks. His hair is neatly trimmed, parted on the side, and his appearance is as mild as his manner. At first glance, he could be mistaken for a mundane birdwatcher. … Read more
One might assume that the practice of banning books belongs to a bygone era. In the mid-20th century, figures like Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir were blacklisted by the Catholic Church, culminating in the discontinuation of its centuries-old Index of Forbidden Books in 1966. Yet, even in modern times, where free speech is highly … Read more
