Latest from James Kidd
Christmas is a time of goodwill to all men and their often bizarre traditions, whether it’s a gift-defecating log or a festive fist-fight. We hitch a ride on the big man’s sleigh to see for ourselves.
Christmas is a time of goodwill to all men and their often bizarre traditions, whether it’s a gift-defecating log or a festive fist-fight. We hitch a ride on the big man’s sleigh to see for ourselves.
If the trend for Gothic novels reflected the revolutions of the era, what does our appetite for psychological thrillers say about the fears and complex reality of the 21st century?
If the trend for Gothic novels reflected the revolutions of the era, what does our appetite for psychological thrillers say about the fears and complex reality of the 21st century?
In the Covid-19 era even classic Christmas stories, such as Dickens’ three seasonal tales, take on new connotations.
In the Covid-19 era even classic Christmas stories, such as Dickens’ three seasonal tales, take on new connotations.
Longlisted for the Booker Prize, American-Chinese author C Pam Zhang’s novel takes a timely look at racism in the US through the eyes of two Chinese orphans.
Longlisted for the Booker Prize, American-Chinese author C Pam Zhang’s novel takes a timely look at racism in the US through the eyes of two Chinese orphans.
Sinologist and ‘global historian’ Jeffrey Wasserstrom, who bore witness to the anger and utopia of Occupy Central in 2014 and last year’s Hong Kong protests, makes just one prediction: that he is unlikely to visit China again.
Sinologist and ‘global historian’ Jeffrey Wasserstrom, who bore witness to the anger and utopia of Occupy Central in 2014 and last year’s Hong Kong protests, makes just one prediction: that he is unlikely to visit China again.
English exposed the vulnerabilities of the Pulitzer Prize-winner’s parents while Italian gave her ‘a real and new sense of quiet’.
English exposed the vulnerabilities of the Pulitzer Prize-winner’s parents while Italian gave her ‘a real and new sense of quiet’.
As author Noreena Hertz explains in The Lonely Century the epidemic of loneliness has been in the making for 40 years as individualism grew while community faded.
As author Noreena Hertz explains in The Lonely Century the epidemic of loneliness has been in the making for 40 years as individualism grew while community faded.
Believe it or not, the Bible is chock full of sartorial advice and there is more to fashion fiction than the frivolity of Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series.
Believe it or not, the Bible is chock full of sartorial advice and there is more to fashion fiction than the frivolity of Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series.
Nigel Ng, the Malaysian stand-up comedian behind a viral video in which he reacts to a BBC guide to how to make egg fried rice, could not have predicted how popular his comedy sketch would be.
Nigel Ng, the Malaysian stand-up comedian behind a viral video in which he reacts to a BBC guide to how to make egg fried rice, could not have predicted how popular his comedy sketch would be.
Set in China’s Weihsien internment camp, Hazel Gaynor’s latest book, The Bird in the Bamboo cage, explores human strength in the face of catastrophe in a way that feels fitting for today.
Set in China’s Weihsien internment camp, Hazel Gaynor’s latest book, The Bird in the Bamboo cage, explores human strength in the face of catastrophe in a way that feels fitting for today.
The Tran family’s saga of suffering laid out in poet Nguyen Phan Que Mai’s first novel, The Mountains Sing, is also that of her country, Vietnam. Truth is cast as the ultimate hero.
The Tran family’s saga of suffering laid out in poet Nguyen Phan Que Mai’s first novel, The Mountains Sing, is also that of her country, Vietnam. Truth is cast as the ultimate hero.
Life is not a puzzle that can be solved, observes the narrator in the Beijing-born author’s slyly comic new novel.
Life is not a puzzle that can be solved, observes the narrator in the Beijing-born author’s slyly comic new novel.
One way of overcoming an absence of travel is by reading about it. Let these books of adventure, whether real or imagined, whisk you far away.
One way of overcoming an absence of travel is by reading about it. Let these books of adventure, whether real or imagined, whisk you far away.
In Chinese sci-fi writer Cixin Liu’s new book, ants and dinosaurs enter into a strange symbiotic relationship. It can be read as an allegory of the left and right hemispheres of the brain, or of the world’s two largest economies.
In Chinese sci-fi writer Cixin Liu’s new book, ants and dinosaurs enter into a strange symbiotic relationship. It can be read as an allegory of the left and right hemispheres of the brain, or of the world’s two largest economies.
Older, wiser and not above a self-deprecating joke or two, the horror writer’s gilded late period continues with a collection of four works in If It Bleeds.
Older, wiser and not above a self-deprecating joke or two, the horror writer’s gilded late period continues with a collection of four works in If It Bleeds.
Book sales have increased by up to 400 per cent with dystopian fiction and heavyweight classics proving particularly popular.
Book sales have increased by up to 400 per cent with dystopian fiction and heavyweight classics proving particularly popular.
Having won the Man Booker prize for both of the first two books in the trilogy, can Mantel pull off a hat trick?
Having won the Man Booker prize for both of the first two books in the trilogy, can Mantel pull off a hat trick?
Three Brothers is a memoir of the author’s father and uncles, with a portrait of the young Yan woven in between.
Three Brothers is a memoir of the author’s father and uncles, with a portrait of the young Yan woven in between.
First published in 2016, Cho Nam-joo’s novel gave voice to women silenced by the country’s inherent misogyny.
First published in 2016, Cho Nam-joo’s novel gave voice to women silenced by the country’s inherent misogyny.
The Shanghai-born, San Francisco-based author’s audacious book feels deeply personal, taking its readers back in time to the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
The Shanghai-born, San Francisco-based author’s audacious book feels deeply personal, taking its readers back in time to the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
The book’s protagonists communicate across different realities, technologies and time periods to prevent a world-ending catastrophe.
The book’s protagonists communicate across different realities, technologies and time periods to prevent a world-ending catastrophe.
Megan K. Stack’s memoir Women’s Work takes an unflinching look at the relationship between an expat journalist and the Asian migrant women who helped raise her children.
Megan K. Stack’s memoir Women’s Work takes an unflinching look at the relationship between an expat journalist and the Asian migrant women who helped raise her children.
Among the most eagerly awaited books of 2020 are titles from China’s Meng Jin, Yan Lianke and Marie Lu, as well as from names including Hilary Mantel and Elena Ferrante.
Among the most eagerly awaited books of 2020 are titles from China’s Meng Jin, Yan Lianke and Marie Lu, as well as from names including Hilary Mantel and Elena Ferrante.
Paper books won the battle with e-books and the international limelight shone on Asian authors.
Paper books won the battle with e-books and the international limelight shone on Asian authors.
The Beijing-born writer’s novel was mired in controversy because of her depictions of slavery, which upset some African-Americans early readers.
The Beijing-born writer’s novel was mired in controversy because of her depictions of slavery, which upset some African-Americans early readers.
Since moving to London, Chan has been named among the top 10 most influential BAME writers in Britain. In 2017, aged 27, she became the youngest shortlisted nominee for Forward Prize for a single poem.
Since moving to London, Chan has been named among the top 10 most influential BAME writers in Britain. In 2017, aged 27, she became the youngest shortlisted nominee for Forward Prize for a single poem.
Absorbing story of children ruling China after adults die out in a cosmic event looks at the perils of play and has echoes in today’s generational conflicts.
Absorbing story of children ruling China after adults die out in a cosmic event looks at the perils of play and has echoes in today’s generational conflicts.
The British pop icon’s life has always been an open book but his roller-coaster of an autobiography is still worth a read.
The British pop icon’s life has always been an open book but his roller-coaster of an autobiography is still worth a read.
In Dear Scarlet, Chinese-Canadian author Teresa Wong shares her experience with the ‘black cloud’ that accompanies postpartum mood disorders.
In Dear Scarlet, Chinese-Canadian author Teresa Wong shares her experience with the ‘black cloud’ that accompanies postpartum mood disorders.
Few sequels have been as hotly anticipated – or as timely – as this long-awaited novel, and the follow-up to Atwood’s 1985 dystopian masterpiece is a worthy second instalment.
Few sequels have been as hotly anticipated – or as timely – as this long-awaited novel, and the follow-up to Atwood’s 1985 dystopian masterpiece is a worthy second instalment.