Tongue Tied & Twisted – Indian Tales; Contemporary Twist
As is claimed on the Scottish International Storytelling Festival website, ‘storytelling is play’. This seemingly simple statement is surprisingly difficult to execute, especially in a 90-minute aural performance. However, uncle…
My year abroad experience: Sophie Whitehead in Delhi, India
Delhi wasn’t my first choice of Year Abroad location – nor was it my second, or even my third for that matter. My idea was that I was going to…
Triumphs and tantrums: the Man Booker Prize returns for its 49th year
With a simple promise of choosing the best original novel in the opinion of its judges, the Man Booker Prize will be awarded this month for the 49th time in…
Do students receive enough support at the start of university?
The process of applying to university is confusing, convoluted and relentless. It’s not surprising, therefore, that the prospect of eventually ending up there can exist merely as a conceptual haven,…
Irvine Welsh and Robert Carlyle host talk, ‘Grim, nasty, and fun – Begbie’s back!’
Irvine Welsh and Robert Carlyle: ‘Grim, nasty, and fun – Begbie’s Back!’ was recently hosted by Usher Hall as part of their Book Festival. Although Edinburgh’s Book Festival is usually…
Gilliamesque
Writing autobiography can be a perilous activity. The decision to write one in itself may be seen as a narcissistic proclamation of self-assured success, explicitly showing an awareness that people…
Nabokov in America
Admittedly, biographers do not have an easy job – writing an entire book about one person’s career requires such serious dedication that is unimaginable to most. Often, though, the results…
Our Best Attention
Despite my doubts after attending the launch of Jane Tulloch’s debut novel, Our Best Attention, I attempted to remain impartial before reading it. It is difficult to reserve judgement, having…