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Brontë not Bronte: How the literary sisters got their dots back

85 years after the misspelled plaque first installed, three of the greatest British literary names have been corrected. Because it’s Brontë, not Bronte.

Art

Oscar Wilde's grandson condemns new statue of author as 'hideous'

The conceptual sculpture of Oscar Wilde, designed by late Scottish artist Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, has been criticised by the famous author’s grandson.

Qatar 365

From books to calligraphy: A look at Qatar’s thriving literary scene

In partnership with Media City

Qatar 365 explores the infinite world of literature, from getting more children to read and spend more time at libraries, to getting crafty with Arabic calligraphy. We also visit Qatar’s first girls’ school, now turned into a museum, to honour the woman who fought for women’s education.

Culture news

Record number of female writers make 2024 Booker Prize shortlist

This year’s Booker Prize shortlist features the highest number of female writers shortlisted in the prize’s 55-year history, as well as the first Dutch author to be shortlisted.

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Culture news

Will Netflix 'Dorian Gray' series remove Wilde's homoerotic themes?

Netflix has put a TV series adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic "The Picture of Dorian Gray" into development, but the announcement has already triggered criticism for its erasure of Wilde’s homoerotic themes.

Culture news

UK study reveals schools are banning LGBTQ+ books after complaints

A recent survey found that over half of UK school librarians have been asked to remove books, many of which are LGBTQ+ titles, with parents being the main source of these requests.

Culture news

Pope Francis: Literature is essential to counter 'violent fake news'

In a letter recently translated in eight languages, Pope Francis argues that literature should not be written off as "a minor art" due to its capacity to stimulate empathy and counter “the obsession with screens and with toxic, superficial and violent fake news.”

Culture news

Universal wins rights to Britney Spears' memoir for upcoming biopic

Universal Pictures has landed the rights to Britney Spears' memoir “The Woman in Me" and will develop a biopic of the pop star.

Culture news

Booker Prize longlist: Several European authors make the cut

The 2024 Booker Prize longlist marks two firsts: a Dutch writer and a Native American author are among the nominees.

Culture news

'My Brilliant Friend': Why it is the best book of the 21st century

The Neapolitan novel "My Brilliant Friend" by Elena Ferrante has topped several best-seller lists, even being described as the 'greatest' book of the 21st century. While the secrets of its success seem clear but the author's identity remains shrouded in mystery...

Culture news

Rebecca Yarros among winners of the second annual BookTok awards

The second annual TikTok Book Awards UK and Irelend saw the social media platform’s users vote for their favourite authors, books, and bookshops over the past year.

Culture news

Salman Rushdie's alleged assailant denied author's notes before trial

Hadi Matar, the man charged with attacking celebrated author Salman Rushdie, will not be given access to the author's notes before trial, with the judge ruling the request too burdensome. Matar’s trial has be sheduled for October.

Culture news

World-renowned Albanian novelist Ismail Kadare dies aged 88

The Albanian literary giant was best known for works including "Broken April" and "The General of the Dead Army", chronicling life under communist dictator Enver Hoxha by way of allegorical stories.

Culture news

Boris Johnson memoir teased: Why is it already being mocked?

Publishing house HarperCollins is to “unleash” former UK PM Boris Johnson’s memoir later this year. And the promotional image looks like a teaser for a (particularly naff) horror film...

Culture news

Rare first edition Harry Potter book sells for more than €53,000

J.K. Rowling's book features some unique errors and was sold at auction alongside a copy of "Casino Royale", the first novel in the James Bond spy series, which features an inscription by author Ian Fleming.

Culture news

Kazuko Shiraishi, ‘the Allen Ginsberg of Japan’, dies aged 93

Japan's beat poet Kazuko Shiraishi, a pioneer of modern performance poetry, dies at 93.

Culture news

Naomi Klein and V. V. Ganeshananthan win Women's Prize literary awards

Klein thanked the prize for “not shying away from controversy” and continues to back calls for book festivals to stop taking money from companies with investments in fossil fuels or Israel’s defense sector.

Culture news

What is Ireland’s YES Festival?

Ireland’s first all-female festival takes place at various locations across the north west for the next four days. The YES Festival will feature over 40 events and more than 30 female artists from the nations involved in the ULYSSES European Odyssey project.

Culture news

Edinburgh Fringe CEO defends Baillie Gifford sponsorship

What is Baillie Gifford and why are festivals being pressured to drop their sponsorship this summer?

Culture news

Donald Trump asks in new book: Is Taylor Swift ‘legitimately liberal'?

In an upcoming book which hits shelves later this month, Trump comments on Taylor Swift's appearance and questions her political beliefs. This comes at a time when President Biden’s campaign is actively seeking an endorsement from Swift.