The Drowned World by JG Ballard archive, 27 January 1963

 Posted on June 8, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  502 words  |  Valentine Belue

Back pagesJG BallardReviewIn the third of a new series of reviews from the Observer archive, Kingsley Amis hails the second novel by the brilliantly imaginative science-fiction author James Graham Ballard was born in Shanghai in 1930 and spent two years of his childhood in a Japanese prison camp during the second world war. The devastated city was the setting for several of his books, notably Empire of the Sun. The Drowned World, his second novel, established him as a major figure in the new wave of science fiction in the 1960s. [Read More]

The perils of being your own doctor | Doctors

 Posted on June 8, 2024  |  27 minutes  |  5639 words  |  Jenniffer Sheldon

Illustration by Stephan SchmitzWhen an experienced physician became convinced he had ALS, none of the specialists he consulted could persuade him he was perfectly healthy by Mert ErogulIn the summer of my 44th year, when everyone did the ice bucket challenge for ALS, when friends and strangers and celebrities soaked themselves with iced water to “raise awareness” on my Facebook feed, I did not participate. I took note of these social media affirmations with some interest, but I was never tagged by my friends to participate in the awareness raising. [Read More]

Tomas Brolin at Leeds: the worst signing ever? He doesn't think so | Leeds United

 Posted on June 8, 2024  |  7 minutes  |  1380 words  |  Valentine Belue

SportblogLeeds UnitedTomas Brolin at Leeds: the worst signing ever? He doesn't think soBroken promises, broken windscreens and a confiscated passport. Tomas Brolin lifts the lid on his time at Leeds UnitedWe all know that it did not end well. In fact, Tomas Brolin's spell at Leeds United was nothing short of a disaster. He arrived at the club in November 1995 with much fanfare and a hefty price tag but left two years and 17 starts later with his reputation in tatters. [Read More]

Top 10 arthouse movies | Movies

 Posted on June 8, 2024  |  20 minutes  |  4213 words  |  Kary Bruening

Film blogMoviesTop 10 arthouse moviesElitist and pretentious, or an endangered species? Whatever your feelings, there's no doubt that arthouse movies are among the finest ever made. Here the Guardian and Observer critics pick the 10 best Top 10 romantic movies Top 10 action movies Top 10 comedy movies Top 10 horror movies Top 10 sci-fi movies Top 10 crime movies Peter Bradshaw on art moviesThis is a red rag to a number of different bulls. [Read More]

Top 10 seaside novels

 Posted on June 8, 2024  |  7 minutes  |  1282 words  |  Aldo Pusey

Threshold between order and chaos ... sunset over the pier at Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. Photograph: AlamyThreshold between order and chaos ... sunset over the pier at Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. Photograph: AlamyTop 10sFictionFrom Graham Greene to John Banville, many writers have been drawn to the dangerous transformations of stories told on the shore. Not exactly beach reading, these are some of the best Through the lens of literature, something interesting happens to the world of sand and sea, harbours and hotels. [Read More]

Why does ear wax taste bitter? | Notes and Queries

 Posted on June 8, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  147 words  |  Chauncey Koziol

SPECULATIVE SCIENCEWhy does ear wax taste bitter? Tim Albrecht, Chicago, USA Probably to stop you from eating any more of it. Daniel Owen, London, UK Dear friend, your question suggests that at some point of time in life you did the mischief of tasting earwax. Earwax medically termed ‘cerumen’ is a yellowish waxy substance secreted in the ear canal, of animals including human being, responsible for protecting the skin of ear canal. [Read More]

Film depictions of sexual violence are increasingly alarming. It has to stop | Film

 Posted on June 7, 2024  |  5 minutes  |  1000 words  |  Valentine Belue

Film This article is more than 5 years oldFilm depictions of sexual violence are increasingly alarming. It has to stopThis article is more than 5 years oldElena LazicFrom mainstream thrillers such as Jennifer Lawrence’s Red Sparrow to art films such as Human, Space, Time and Human, rape has become a repellent, exploitative device In the just-released thriller Red Sparrow, Jennifer Lawrence plays Dominika Egorova, a young Russian woman sent to train at an elite spy school. [Read More]

Frankly quite stupid: rights groups condemn Bidens Saudi Arabia visit | Global development

 Posted on June 7, 2024  |  6 minutes  |  1132 words  |  Valentine Belue

Global development This article is more than 1 year old‘Frankly quite stupid’: rights groups condemn Biden’s Saudi Arabia visitThis article is more than 1 year oldCritics question value of US president’s visit, raising fears it will endanger dissidents and legitimise regime’s human rights stance Rights advocates fear Joe Biden’s decision to visit Saudi Arabia will endanger dissidents abroad and be seen by the authorities there as giving the green light to restrict civil liberties domestically. [Read More]

Just walk away: dodging the bling on Folegandros, Greece

 Posted on June 7, 2024  |  6 minutes  |  1118 words  |  Chauncey Koziol

Greek Islands holidaysThis small Cyclades island seems to be all sparkly sandals and chic frocks but out of town fantastic cliffs and quiet beaches take over Next week: Milos and Sifnos Amorgos, Kalymnos, Ikaria Ikaria was arcadian, Kalymnos devilishly entertaining and Amorgos hauntingly beautiful. So far, my Greek island-hopping adventure has delivered, but as I reach Folegandros, my faith wobbles. I’m in Chora, as the main towns on many of these islands are called, it’s evening and hundreds of well-heeled visitors, dressed in tailored summerwear, are settling in to the artful maze of outdoor eating areas. [Read More]

Louisiana store worker charged in water dousing attack during US cold snap | Louisiana

 Posted on June 7, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  610 words  |  Jenniffer Sheldon

The Triple S Food Mart in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Photograph: Josh Brasted/Getty ImagesThe Triple S Food Mart in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Photograph: Josh Brasted/Getty ImagesLouisiana This article is more than 1 year oldLouisiana store worker charged in water dousing attack during US cold snapThis article is more than 1 year oldClerk allegedly drenched unhoused woman sitting in parking lot of store where Alton Sterling was killed by police in 2016 [Read More]