Tag: column

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Books, Columns, Comedy, Review

Reading Corner: Wilt by Tom Sharpe

Wilt (1976) by Tom Sharpe is probably the funniest book I have ever read. And I’m talking laugh out loud funny. As an English student with months and months of lockdown stretching ahead of me, I probably should have made a list of every great Victorian novel and slowly made my way through them with a sense of dignified purpose and achievement. Obviously, this was not the case and, as my Netflix history will prove, I have spent very little of this holiday actually reading. However, once I picked up Wilt, I forgot all about a fourth binge of the entirety of Community (shocking, I know) and was hooked. Continue reading Reading Corner: Wilt by Tom Sharpe

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Columns, Creative Writing, Editorial Team, Writing

The Life Chronicles: Field Days Part.2

In Devon, I used to embark on several projects in the summer time. Mum and I didn’t have our own garden until years later, so whilst we lived in that terrace house, the slice of terracotta-brick was all we owned. The hills beyond the house became ours too, but we didn’t own them in the same way that we owned the brickwork. The summer of … Continue reading The Life Chronicles: Field Days Part.2

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Columns, Editorial Team, Lifestyle, Misc., Sex, Lust & Love

Love in the Time of Corona

They say the first few months of a new relationship is the getting to know one another phase, the honeymoon phase, the we’re going to stay together forever stage. It is a blissful beginning decorated in dates and coloured in clichés. What is not expected, advisable or even preferable is to start a relationship when a national pandemic is declared. Continue reading Love in the Time of Corona

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Columns, Editorial Team, Film/TV, Review, What's Happening

Living for Killing Eve: Ep. 2 – Management Sucks

The second instalment of the third season sees many fan-favourites reunite in a tense and gripping episode. Written by Anna Jordan, it opens on a grim scene, in which Eve, Carolyn and Konstantin all attend Kenny’s funeral. Carolyn’s daughter (Gemma Wheelan) also appears, inisisting that her mother take time to process her loss, much to Carolyn’s chagrin. Eve takes a dislike to one of Kenny’s ex-colleagues, and, while drunk, shouts at Carolyn before leaving early. Oh’s portrayal of Eve’s downward spiral and the loss of control she has over her life, having now lost her closest remaining friend, is heartbreaking, complimented by Fiona Shaw’s flawless performance as the grieving Carolyn. She is far less stoic than usual, but maintains some of her eccentricities. Continue reading Living for Killing Eve: Ep. 2 – Management Sucks

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Books, Columns, Editorial Team, Review

My Culture Comforts: Life of the Party by Olivia Gatwood

Poetry has the power to put indescribable feelings into words. At the moment, many of us are uncertain, stressed and lost, but I’ve found it really helpful to retreat to the familiar. In this case, Olivia Gatwood’s 2019 collection, Life of the Party. Life of the Party is an intense, candid reflection on the poet’s relationship with girlhood and womanhood. Many of the pieces started … Continue reading My Culture Comforts: Life of the Party by Olivia Gatwood

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Columns, Editorial Team, Lifestyle, Misc.

My Culture Comforts: Nora Ephron Films

It’s no surprise that people have been using these past few weeks to productively catch up on (binge watch) all the TV shows and films they may not have previously had time for. However, especially with the future being so uncertain, it can also be nice to return to some past favourites. Over the past week, I have re-watched four of my top Nora Ephron films (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, Julie & Julia), each time remembering why I love her. A combination of Ephron’s phenomenal writing, upbeat soundtracks and of course a stellar cast (with Meg Ryan as a particular favourite), it’s hard not to find comfort in these classics. Continue reading My Culture Comforts: Nora Ephron Films

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Art, Books, Columns, Editorial Team, Lifestyle, Literature

Reading Corner: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy

My sister and I gave The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse to our mum for Christmas – a wise present it turns out, seeing as I’ve now read it more times than she has. Looking at it again this past week has been a comforting escape. The book is formed from a collection of beautifully expressive ink illustrations with handwritten words, stitched together by a gently anchoring narrative. We follow four friends: an inquisitive boy who asks questions about the world and ponders his relationships with the others; a mole full of reassuring words, whose thoughts are also largely occupied by cake (which makes for some of my favourite moments); a fox who is reserved and quiet because of their past, yet loved by the others no matter what; and a wise horse who reveals an ability to fly. The story’s subtle linearity stitches the order of the pages together, but you don’t need to read it cover to cover. Each page is an isolated piece of art and storytelling in its own right, so dip in and dip out; you’ll never be lost in the story. Continue reading Reading Corner: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy

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Columns, Editorial Team, Film/TV, Review

Politics on Screen: Noughts and Crosses

Reading Malorie Blackman’s multi-award winning novel Noughts and Crosses during my last years of primary school was an eye-opening experience about the extent of racism in our society, and my position of privilege in the world. My interest was piqued when I heard that the BBC was creating a TV adaptation. With the current political climate, the open (and horrific) examples of police brutality internationally, and increased instances of racism at our university, now was seemingly the time for this series to be adapted. On a trip home from university I binge-watched the entire series in one day and found myself being shaken again by this story. Continue reading Politics on Screen: Noughts and Crosses

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Editorial Team, Lifestyle, Misc.

That’s Niche: Animal Crossing

I wouldn’t say I’m massively obsessed with Animal Crossing but since Nintendo announced the new pastel blue Switch console for the release of the new game … I can’t stop thinking about it. Every few months I rediscover my Nintendo DS and revisit my town and the strange animals living there, and some part of me feels like I’m going home, even if it’s just to pick some weeds and do some fishing. On the one hand, I can’t believe I’m 20 years old and still playing a game I got when I was in primary school. But deep down I think everyone should experience the stress of forgetting to save the game and being shouted at by an angry mole, or shaking a tree and getting attacked by bees. Apart from the very few stressful aspects of the game, after a long day of lectures and essay writing, sometimes we all need to do a little bit of fishing and collect some fossils to take to the museum. And if anyone is wondering, my favourite villager is Bob; always a bit sleepy and loves wearing pink. All I need to do now is hope all the Twitter giveaways I’ve entered to win a Switch aren’t scams and that I have enough self-control to stop myself playing the game until after exams (I don’t hold out much hope). Continue reading That’s Niche: Animal Crossing

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