Carlos Monsivis obituary | Books

BooksObituaryCarlos Monsiváis obituaryPopular Mexican writer admired for holding his country's political elite to accountThe writer, critic and activist Carlos Monsiváis, who has died at the age of 72, made Mexico understandable to Mexicans – or at least helped them laugh about it. He was admired for the intelligence and the intricate ironies of his prose, recognised for his principled support of leftwing causes, and famed for his crumpled appearance and adoration of cats. [Read More]

Plastic surgeon to the stars jailed for using industrial gel | World news

World newsPlastic surgeon to the stars jailed for using industrial gelLos Angeles, the city of youth and beauty, is not a happy place to grow old, which is why it is the capital of America's $15bn (£7.6bn) a year obsession with plastic surgery. So it is no surprise to discover that it was on the slopes of Beverly Hills, that Daniel Tomas Fuente Serrano decided to ply his trade. Dr Daniel, as his admiring clients called him, was a modern kind of miracle worker. [Read More]

Soaringly, incredulously, gorgeously cruel...

BooksReviewDonna Tartt's much-hyped second novel, The Little Friend, does not disappoint - but don't expect a follow-up to The Secret HistoryThe Little Friend by Donna Tartt 555pp, Bloomsbury, £16.99 The appearance of Donna Tartt's second novel has been an event rather than just a publication. That happens from time to time, but the media rarely act in concert over a literary novel on quite such a scale. All these interviews and profiles, this concentration on the author's personality, her lifestyle, her sales figures and her deals, are threatening to suck the oxygen out of the critical debate. [Read More]

Spamalot review

TheatreReviewHarold Pinter theatre, LondonArthur's Round Table has never looked so square. Spamalot, the 2005 musical adapted by Eric Idle and John Du Prez from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, is back in the West End in what is claimed to be a new and improved version directed by Christopher Luscombe. What this means is that it is served with effortful, topical garnish: Boris Johnson, Jedward and Susan Boyle are briefly impersonated, and there are frequent nods to the Olympics. [Read More]

The Birdcatcher by Gayl Jones review portrait of an artist

FictionReviewA fascinating meditation on Black female creativity from the author of Corregidora and Palmares American author Gayl Jones is powering into her eighth decade with a new novel only a year after the publication of her epic tale of slavery in Brazil, Palmares, which itself appeared after a 20-year hiatus. While briefer and lighter in tone, The Birdcatcher has grim moments. An offstage character mutilates her genitals with the mirror from a compact, and Catherine, the sculptor at the heart of the novel, continually tries to kill her beloved husband, Ernest. [Read More]

The Open 2018: Francesco Molinari wins title on day of drama as it happened | The Open 2018

22 Jul 201819.46 BSTReport and reactionFrancesco Molinari works magic to win the Open on thrilling final dayRead moreRory McIlroy and Justin Rose fall two shots shy in quest for Open triumph | Mark TallentireRead moreJordan Spieth fails to find Hogan’s Alley and suffers Open collapse | Andy BullRead moreOpen champion Francesco Molinari pays tribute to ‘sporting’ Tiger WoodsRead moreTiger Woods lights up the Open but Claret Jug slips through his grasp | Kevin MitchellRead moreUpdated at 21. [Read More]

Assembly

The ObserverMoviesReviewAssembly (124 mins, 15) Directed by Feng Xiaogang; starring Zhang Hanyu, Deng Chao, Yuen Wenkang, Tang Yang Feng Xiaogang's Assembly is a vigorously staged war movie that has been a deserved success in China. The central character is Guzidi, a brave captain of peasant stock who has fought for the communist army against the Japanese invaders and the nationalists since 1939 and is the only survivor of a delaying action that saves a whole regiment in the last days of the Civil War in 1948. [Read More]

Caitlyn Jenner brushes off Ricky Gervais's Golden Globes joke | TCAs

TCAs This article is more than 8 years oldCaitlyn Jenner brushes off Ricky Gervais's Golden Globes jokeThis article is more than 8 years oldThe TV personality says that she should host the awards show next year while also addressing that she is ‘not a spokesperson’ for the transgender community Caitlyn Jenner has slyly responded to Ricky Gervais’s opening monologue at the Golden Globes on Sunday, during which the comedian poked fun at the former Olympic athlete turned transgender icon. [Read More]

Its always us who pay the price: displaced by DRCs endless cycle of war | Global develop

‘It’s always us who pay the price’: displaced by DRC’s endless cycle of war Supported by About this content Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Escalating violence in the country’s North Kivu province has now pushed the number of internally displaced people to a record 6.9 million. Many have had to flee their homes multiple times in a country where displacement and loss are part of a recurring pattern, as violence passes down the generations [Read More]

Memphis prosecutor who charged Black woman over voting error loses re-election bid | Memphis

The fight to voteMemphis This article is more than 1 year oldMemphis prosecutor who charged Black woman over voting error loses re-election bidThis article is more than 1 year oldAmy Weirich stirred outrage for bringing criminal charges against Pamela Moses, whose conviction was subsequently overturned Amy Weirich, the Memphis prosecutor who stirred national outrage for bringing criminal charges against a Black woman for trying to register to vote, has lost her re-election bid. [Read More]