It is generally thought to be wrong, reprehensible even, for a literary critic to review a book by a friend, professional contact, former lover or other personal relation. In such cases the critic is likely to be biased, and moved, consciously or unconsciously, by ulterior motives of revenge or social or professional advancement and in
In the cold war of contemporary identity politics, it might seem strange that the only flash of heat has come in the battle over the rights of transgender women. Clashes between trans activists and radical feminists have been violent – metaphorically and literally. At Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park last fall, in an unprovoked attack,
Danish director Lars von Trier is back at Cannes Film Festival, proclaiming that ‘it’s all good – we had a little misunderstanding for seven years’ and worrying that his new serial killer movie, The House that Jack Built, isn’t divisive enough. In fact, the reception of the film has indeed revealed an divide in the
If there is one thing the reactions to the Harvey Weinstein accusations have confirmed, other than the common knowledge that human beings are corruptible and will sometimes try to exploit their position of superiority, it is feminism’s obsession with men in power. When confronted with Björk’s accusations of sexual harassment by Danish director Lars von Trier
