Current reads

Pat Barker in her 2018 novel retold the Iliad from the perspective of the women of Troy, raped and enslaved by the heroes of war. Her follow-up picks up that story. Briseis is still our main interlocutor, Achilles’ trophy, pregnant with the demigod’s child. But there is little space for the gods in the filth and violence of the Greek post-war camp. Barker’s language is blunt, crude, the world she describes cruel and bleak. There is nothing mythical about Barker’s Troy; there is no romance. But it’s a vivid reimagining that echoes with the struggles of women in conflict today. CS

Madeleine Miller in takes a completely different approach to the Greek myth. I wasn’t looking for a theme to my reading but was gifted both books around the same time. Miller picks Patroclus from obscurity--one of the many side characters in Homer’s epic who exist only to spur the heroes into action. Here he receives a full life as Achilles’ friend, companion and lover. It’s a much more sentimental take than Barker’s but Miller gives a beautiful account of love found in an unexpected place and tested as different worlds collide. CS

Digital highlights

If you’re interested in classic art, London’s National Gallery has you covered with their insightful that features a range of videos, from short introductions of a specific painter to behind-the-scenes looks at the museum and longer features that delve deep into a painting, its history, technique and impact on the art world. You can also follow the National Gallery on for more bite-sized content while planning your next trip to London. CS

Listen to this

Sam Fender burst onto the UK music scene with his debut number one album Hypersonic Missiles in 2019, earning him a Critics’ Choice Award at the 2019 Brit Awards. He released his second studio album in October that once again delves into the singer’s working class background, with gut-punching lyrics and tunes that steer clear of festival-ready rhythms. The alternative rock album is perhaps at its best when introspective rather than raising its first at the world. CS

Podcasts don’t always have to be highly intellectual-- sometimes it’s enough if they’re just entertaining. Australian duo in their eponymous show (available on Spotify) strike the perfect balance between funny anecdotes, everyday topics and the occasional low brow joke. Their lightheartedness and great chemistry really shine through, making it the perfect podcast for long car rides. TH

Essential viewing

I’m not normally one for reality TV but Netflix’s won me over. It follows several people on the autism spectrum as they search for love and a partner. There is no malevolence from the producers towards the show’s subjects, no ridicule. The participants are unafraid to love, determined to find what they’re looking for with such capacity for empathy and kindness. It’s a reminder of the basic human need and desire for companionship that will melt even the most cynical heart. It is also an insight into the world of people on the spectrum and how they experience life and emotions. CS

The Galactic Empire rules 25 million planets and has stood for untold generations--but one man, Hari Seldon, has used an advanced academic subject called “psychohistory” to model the future of this civilisation… and he has seen that it will fall. This is the premise of Isaac Asimov’s seminal Foundation trilogy (written in the 1940s and ’50s), the first part of which. The project, though highly criticised, is well worth a look. It honours Asimov’s core story and the absorbing paradox of being a free-willed individual who knows, to a mathematical certainty, their civilisation’s future—but riffs on characters, worlds and technologies in its attempts to dramatise highly conceptual source material. Mercifully, Asimov’s utter dismissal of women has also been tossed out in favour of a well-balanced cast. And finally… the spaceships are very, very pretty. JP

Though it’s not exactly a new film, Marrowbone remains one of my go-to recommendations for horror lovers when the winter settles in. Full of tension and goosebumps-inducing plot twists, the story revolves around four young siblings hiding their mum’s death from their neighbours to keep on living together in their isolated mansion. You know, the usual wholesome family stuff. Though it’s the perfect pick for horror enthusiasts, I definitely wouldn’t recommend watching this alone or on Christmas Eve, unless you plan to give someone nightmares as a Christmas present. TH

For foodies

For a break from Glühwein, is anyone drinking eggnog at the moment? What was once known in the 1920s by the less appetising moniker of ‘milk punch’ has been adopted by the Americans for many years as eggnog. Luxlait have put their version in all the shops and it’s particularly good in the following guises: with espresso as an ‘eggnog latte’, with bourbon, poured over ice cream, sipped slowly in the bath. JS

Random observations

The light tunnel at Place des Martyrs is designed as an Instagram trap and while I have an aversion to influencer culture, the Christmas lights display is quite enchanting. It’s hard to catch without people posing for their holiday snaps but also charming to see with wide-eyed children marvelling at the magic. It’s a perfect cliché. So, sue me! CS