20th Century
Heat Lightning by Helen Hull – review
‘I had decided that I wished to write a novel about the immediate present – this was the summer of 1930 – and I had been speculating about the way… Continue reading
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The pleasure of reading Rumer Godden’s India
Rumer Godden’s prose tugs two ways at once. It is subtle, descriptive, and light, but also direct and unashamed of being turned inside out until darkness consumes it, rendering what… Continue reading
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Cosmo Lang, his part in Edward VIII’s downfall
In December 1936, following the Abdication of Edward VIII, a rhyme circulated about the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Lang: ‘My Lord Archbishop, what a scold you are! And when your… Continue reading
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Eastern promises – the rediscovery of Stefan Heym
A German Jew fleeing Nazism to America; a soldier in the D-Day landings; a US citizen moving to the GDR for the socialist cause; a writer denounced by the Party;… Continue reading
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General Franco’s British foes
David Lomon was one of the lucky ones. While fighting in Aragon in south-west Spain in the spring of 1938, the former salesman from Hackney was captured by one of… Continue reading
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The fictional House of Lords
The House of Lords has yet again survived reform. ‘We have been discussing this issue for 100 years and it really is time to make progress,’ the Prime Minister said… Continue reading
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F. Scott Fitzgerald’s other ‘great’ character
It is perhaps fitting — given his lack of fame and success — that many of you will have never heard of Pat Hobby. Hobby was a character who featured… Continue reading
4 CommentsThe death of the Lib Dems
The latest issue of The Spectator is out today, and I thought CoffeeHousers might like to read the cover story by Nick Cohen. Its theme is brilliantly captured by Jonathan… Continue reading
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