“The last thing the world needs is another middle-aged white man writing about masculinity, politics and whatever”: An Interview with @stuhennigan.bsky.social — @susannacrossman.bsky.social
minorliteratures.com/2026/04/14/t...
Wallop! Chapeau.
What a way to end publication day! For the Guardian, I’ve written a piece on navigating the weird and wonderful word of Muriel Spark.
Read it, and do give my book a read, too.
LIKE A CAT LOVES A BIRD: THE NINE LIVES OF MURIEL SPARK is out right now! 🐈⬛
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/a...
Anything that reminds the world that Spark is not only a great read but a menace to the reader. Your chapter on Brodie is spot on. I look forward to the rest of the book.
I think if I were shortening it then I’d always talk about a keeper rather than a goalie (I was once a keeper) but I agree goalkeeper sounds better.
Lovely event to launch Maïa Hruska’s Kafkaesque from William Collins Books on Kafka and translations.
Thanks Andrew. I will do.
The cafe on the tenth floor of the new tower at Tate Modern is like some middle class tastefully dressed enclave high above London directly out of a JG Ballard gated community novel.
This looks easy. It’s not.
After work, if I wanted to think about the future, I might have a drink in one of those dark-wood, etched-glass Victorian pubs near Pimlico, sitting on a wobbling stool by the wall.
The Palm House - Gwendoline Riley.
I’m assuming someone has already mentioned The Bug?
I have had to slow down my reading of it as I’m so in awe of her writing.
Innit
I went yesterday - fabulous stuff.
I feel very honoured to have snaffled a badge. I shall wear it with a superior glee - just as MS would’ve wanted.
The postman always rings twice - when he forgets he’s got a second parcel for me - this just in from @reversediorama.bsky.social eagerly awaited indeed.
Been looking forward to this from @drjamesbailey.bsky.social what a beautiful thing it is too complete with my very own badge.
Writers and book designers, how can you encourage me to buy your book?
Maps. The answer is always maps.
Look at this beauty from Jane Rogoyska - Exile Hotel pub by Allen Lane
Many years ago I did a History of Art A level as an adult. The first old painting that I really connected with was a Masaccio. Today I got to stand in a gantry less than a metre from it. It sounds daft but I had tears in my eyes.
Ahh man. Sounds like a total mess.
Rest up mate and go again tomorrow- your 2026 beats most people’s decade.
Just started reading this, I think.
Virtual solidarity mate ✊
Mate that sucks.
Great work by @faberbooks.bsky.social getting this translated and published - Trotzig’s Queen. A quite remarkable novel with the family resemblance to Out Stealing Horses in its reticence and harsh emotions. Brilliant and brutal.
Spent the week immersed in this phenomenal book. Kim Ghattas has put together a guide for the uninformed on the fault lines, history, machinations and murderous ambitions behind Middle Eastern politics. It feels even more essential by the day
As a vegetarian can I suggest that restaurants don’t bother trying to replace the meat with some crappy Wellington or nut based abomination in a Sunday roast. Just give us extra roast potatoes, like lots and we’ll be happy.
It’s lovely having both you and John deliver these audio essays once a week. You’re great company.
Auditory is my new highlight of the week
This instalment will chime with those of us who were deeply unsettled by the gleeful reporting of Reading 94 in the music press at the time.
And anything that is done to reclaim YMG from obscurity is fine by me. Thanks Andy.
Cover of Like a Cat Loves a Bird: The Nine Lives of Muriel Spark. Cover features a photo of Spark holding a black cat.
‘When a cat voluntarily disappears from home’, Muriel Spark once said, ‘it’s merely because the whim has seized it to look for something less boring elsewhere’. That was Spark, in her life and in her work: untethered, aloof, and forever seeking a life less ordinary. 🐈⬛
Out 9th April! (link in bio…)
Ordered and very much looking forward to its arrival.
They liked rapscallions as well.