Now posting on Vulpes Libris: Penelope Lively’s Passing On

A slightly unfortunate phrasing, that: as if she'd written a novel called Death, or Sudden Demise. It's a great novel, and I talk about it over on Vulpes Libris. Go see.

Now posting on Vulpes Libris: A is for Arsenic

For all you Agatha Christie and devious poison-plot detective novel addicts, here's a review of Kathryn Harkup's A is for Arsenic. The Poisons of Agatha Christie. More belladonna and cyanide than you can shake a stick at.

Now posting on Vulpes Libris: Christina Ward’s Preservation

I was picking mulberries this weekend, which was timely considered that I'd also organised a cookbook theme week over on Vulpes Libris. I've reviewed a remarkably comprehensive work on home preservation, replete with canners and kraut hammers.

Comic books and Spider-Woman: a little rant

I heard an episode of the Double X Gabfest podcast the other day in which Noreen Malone of New York Magazine claimed that superhero movies were only made for teenage boys, or nerdy men, and that women didn't go to see them. (Even though she lives in Brooklyn! That just seems improbable.) Superhero movies are … Continue reading Comic books and Spider-Woman: a little rant →

Now posting on Vulpes Libris: Frank O’Connor’s autobiographies

I posted a double review of Frank O'Connor's autobiographies over on Vulpes Libris: An Only Child, and My Father's Son. I learned a lot about Irish history, Irish literature, Irish convents and army pensions.

Now posting on Vulpes Libris: On marking a poetry exam

I wrote something heartfelt about the process of marking a poetry exam, over on Vulpes Libris.

Now posting on Vulpes Libris: Margot Lee Shetterly’s Hidden Figures

I loved the film. I died for the costumes. I was delighted with the actors, the cinematography, the sound, the script. Janelle Monae killed it playing an engineer in NASA's obligatory high heels, though she did not convince me as a mother or wife. Taraji P Henson was stupendous as Katherine Goble, then Johnson, and nearly … Continue reading Now posting on Vulpes Libris: Margot Lee Shetterly’s Hidden Figures →