FIONA O’CONNOR steps warily through a novel that skewers many of the exposed flanks of the over-privileged
Time to pause and reflect
SIMON PARSONS recommends a play which questions the perceived ubiquitous and concealed nature of the intrusive Prevent Strategy apparatus
(L to ) Halema Hussain as Xara, Vaneeka Dadhria as Ruqaya, Asha Hassan as Sabi
MARY CONWAY applauds the study of a dysfunctional family set in an Ireland that could be anywhere
MICK MCSHANE is roused by a band whose socialism laces every line of every song with commitment and raw passion
New releases from Mountain, Soul Asylum and Michael McDermott
ALEX HALL is disgusted by the misuse of ‘emotional narratives’ to justify uninformed geo-political prejudice
SUE TURNER welcomes a thoughtful, engaging book that lays bare the economic realities of global waste management
JOHN GREEN welcomes an insider account of the achievements and failures of the transition to democracy in Portugal
Liberation Squares
The North Wall/Touring
THE Prevent Strategy to counter terrorism and radicalisation probably came to most people’s attention in 2021 when a primary school pupil was referred to the government’s controversial programme after a teacher mistook the word alms for arms during a classroom discussion.
Updated in 2011 to nebulously include anyone expressing “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values,” whatever they may be, it provided guidelines to sectors and institutions “where there are risks of radicalisation,” including schools and hospitals.
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MICHAL BONCZA recommends a compact volume that charts the art of propagating ideas across the 20th century
MICHAL BONCZA reviews Cairokee gig at the London Barbican
MICHAL BONCZA rounds up a series of images designed to inspire women
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MARK TURNER is thrilled by the the British singer’s tribute to the late great Sarah Vaughan
ADAM DE PAOR-EVANS remembers MC Duke: a pioneering British rapper more people should know about
PAUL STEPHEN ADEY explores how rap can create catharsis for both artists and fans
SARAH A SON explains how K-pop was manufactured by government strategy as a global branding tool for South Korea