Ferdinand Mount, and a short story for subscribers

 I reviewed Ferdinand Mount's latest novel, The Pentecost Papers, for the TLS.  Many years ago, I interviewed him for the Telegraph, and some time before that, I reviewed his novel, The Condor's Head.

 And over on Substack, I've released the first part of a short story for subscribers.  "Tor" is about a young boy who is left behind in a tower by himself during a long war. 

Part Two: read it here. 

 

 

Under the Net by Iris Murdoch

 I wrote about Iris Murdoch's first novel, Under the Net, for The Times.

 

 

Gobbolino the Witch's Cat

 I wrote a Substack on Gobbolino the Witch's Cat.

 

13 Novels Conservatives Will Love: review in Spectator World

 I was asked to review 13 Novels Conservatives Will Love by Christopher J Scalia in this month's Spectator World. 

 

How to Write Children's Fiction: Part 1

 Over on Substack, I'm doing a short series of three essays on How to Write Children's Fiction. 

I've also written about the process of being a fiction reviewer.  

Here is part two of How to Write Children's Fiction. 

 

 

Seascraper by Benjamin Wood, and more Jenny Nimmo

 I've been following Benjamin Wood's literary career since his first, very good novel, The Bellwether Revivals, and have reviewed a few of his novels, including The Ecliptic (ten years ago) and, more recently, The Young Accomplice.  His new novella, Seascraper, is excellent, and I wrote about it for The Spectator. 

Meanwhile, over on Substack, I've been writing more about Jenny Nimmo, and the mysteries of magic and influence.  

 

Paper certificates, and Ivy Compton-Burnett

 Over on Substack, I've written more about Ivy Compton-Burnett's inimitable, spare,  intriguing work, having read Parents and Children. 

 

And I've also written a piece for The Spectator about the need for physical certificates as rites of passage.