FictionLadylike, lavender-scented and precious … this writing is everything opposite to that
I had such a mistaken idea about Anita Brookner’s novels, until I picked up The Latecomers in a secondhand shop about 10 years ago, and read the first wonderfully concrete sentence. “Hartmann, a voluptuary, lowered a spoonful of brown sugar crystals into his coffee cup, then placed a square of bitter chocolate on his tongue, and, while it was dissolving, lit his first cigarette.
We have to shoot in colour or theyll kill us: the day a young Kate Moss hit the fashion str
On the brink of great fame, Kate Moss explores midtown New York on a spring day in 1994. Photograph: Glen Luchford/IdeaOn the brink of great fame, Kate Moss explores midtown New York on a spring day in 1994. Photograph: Glen Luchford/IdeaThe ObserverKate MossFresh from Croydon, the model had a ball in 1990s New York. But the carefree images, which feature in a new book, got the photographer fired
On a summer day in June 1994, Kate Moss, then just 20, and the British photographer Glen Luchford set out across New York for a reportage-fashion shoot that indelibly captured the energy and beauty of the young model, in love and on the brink of great fame, and the energy and light of a city that was similarly about to change.
Squishmallows: cuddly toys fuel an obsession and a price-gouging crisis
Melanie Schroeder with her Squishmallows. Photograph: Courtesy Melanie SchroederMelanie Schroeder with her Squishmallows. Photograph: Courtesy Melanie SchroederToysYoung fans draw big TikTok followings with their collections, but they say resales are ruining the fun
Leah Swift, an 18-year-old college student in West Virginia, bought her first Squishmallow in October 2020. Less than two years later, she has amassed 350 of the cute, cuddly toys, which overflow from the shelves of her small bedroom.
Did Discovery Channel fake the image in its giant shark documentary? | Marine life
George Monbiot's blogMarine lifeDid Discovery Channel fake the image in its giant shark documentary?Image showing Megalodon swimming past U-boats off Cape Town was doctored. Come clean, or prove me wrongThe suspicion that the Discovery Channel had abandoned its professed editorial standards was a powerful one. As I mentioned in my earlier blog, its documentary claiming that the giant shark Carchardon megalodon still exists contained images which gave a strong impression of being faked; reports of incidents which don't appear to have happened; and interviews with "
Foetus 18 Weeks: the greatest photograph of the 20th century?
Prenatal journey … Foetus 18 weeks, by Lennart Nilsson. Photograph: Lennart Nilsson PhotographyPrenatal journey … Foetus 18 weeks, by Lennart Nilsson. Photograph: Lennart Nilsson PhotographyPhotographyIn the 1950s, photojournalist Lennart Nilsson set out to capture the earliest stages of existence. His foetus images seized the public imagination – and sparked a controversy that has raged ever since
In April 1965, Life magazine put a photograph called Foetus 18 Weeks on its cover and caused a sensation.
Freddie Mercurys priceless stamp collection to be celebrated | Freddie Mercury
The ObserverFreddie Mercury This article is more than 1 year oldFreddie Mercury’s ‘priceless’ stamp collection to be celebratedThis article is more than 1 year oldPostal Museum show celebrates the Queen singer’s youthful passion for philately
All Queen fans know how much Freddie Mercury liked to ride his bicycle but fewer are aware of the flamboyant frontman’s other great childhood hobby: collecting stamps.
Now, for the first time, the Postal Museum is to put one of Mercury’s “priceless” collector’s albums on show – its value enhanced by the fact that it is one of the late rock star’s rare personal possessions in museum ownership.
Lemmy of Motrhead a life in pictures | Music
Lemmy of Motörhead – a life in pictures Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Lemmy, born Ian Fraser Kilmister, was the founding member and singer of British heavy metal band Motörhead. He lived as loudly as he played – performing just months up to his December 2015 death, aged 70
Watch: ‘Lemmy to a lot of people really embodies rock ’n’ roll’ – Rolling Stone magazine’s tribute
Michelle Obama hits the dancefloor with Ellen DeGeneres video | US news
Michelle Obama Michelle Obama hits the dancefloor with Ellen DeGeneres – video First lady Michelle Obama and TV talkshow host Ellen DeGeneres dance to Mark Ronson's hit Uptown Funk. Obama was a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to promote a healthy living initiative. After chatting about her children and what she's looking forward to doing when she leaves the White House, Obama joins a team of dancers for a short choreographed routine – much to the delight of the studio audience Source: Reuters
Reply All's The Case of the Missing Hit: could this be the best podcast episode ever?
PodcastsGimlet’s internet-culture podcast has produced a bona fide masterpiece, with this tale of a song that has seemingly been erased from history Reply All, Gimlet’s popular podcast about internet culture, has been going since 2014, with 158 episodes to date. It has covered websites that let students anonymously troll each other; what happens when you have one of the most coveted Snapchat usernames on the internet; and the history of “incels”, among other topics.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce review
The ObserverFictionReviewA man goes to post a letter and ends up walking 600 miles. It's a pleasure to find out why in this emotionally-charged debut novelThis Booker long-listed debut novel begins with the arrival of an unexpected letter and an impulsive act. When Harold Fry, a timid man in his later years, discovers that a former friend and colleague is seriously ill, he sets out with the intention of posting her a letter but instead embarks on 600-mile walk from Devon to Berwick-upon-Tweed.