Reviews in brief: Stop Me If You've Heard This One; The Shape of Things Unseen; and Take Six
Stop Me If You've Heard This One by Kristen Arnett (Corsair, £20)
The opening scene of this novel features a clown escaping through a bathroom window after sleeping with a woman at her child's birthday party. Her tool of pleasure? A magic wand. It is almost an achievement then, after such an energetic beginning, that what proceeds is a drag. Arnett's third novel follows lesbian Cherry, and her clown persona, Bucko, in their quest for artistic excellence, as she navigates the death of her clownish (but not clown) brother and her challenging relationships with her mother and her mother-age girlfriend/mentor. As a comment upon gender and sexual identity, late capitalism and its impact upon art, the novel proves somewhat interesting. However, if what you are seeking is a story to engage and move you, look elsewhere. This airless novel will leave you feeling like the drooping rose of a burnt out clown.
– Brigid O'Dea
The Shape of Things Unseen: A New Science of Imagination by Adam Zeman (Bloomsbury Circus, £25)
Adam Zeman is a neurologist at the very forefront of research into the science of imagination, the focus of his third book. Taking his readers on a tour of their inner lives, Zeman draws on (sometimes) familiar scientific concepts to unlock the various workings and wanderings of the mind, including the 'maladies, remedies and extremes of imagination'. Terms like pareidolia and aphantasia are explained through anecdotes and literary allusions; Zeman has a particular affinity for the Romantic poets. In thinking about thinking, Zeman encourages his readers to let their minds wander, to interact with the book's various questions and quizzes. The Shape of Things Unseen, which oscillates about the main axis of human creativity, is accessible, memorable, and, quite frankly, imaginative.
– Emily Formstone
READ MORE
Take Six: Six Irish Women Writers
, Edited by
Tanya Farrelly
(Dedalus, £11.99)
In this powerful anthology, Tanya Farrelly curates six distinct voices exploring the fractures of contemporary Irish womanhood. The short stories span dystopian futures, where daughters are outlawed, to quiet acts of voyeurism, all threaded with emotional tension and ethical ambiguity. Mary Morrissy's Holding On simmers like a slow trap; Geraldine Mills's XX chills with maternal defiance; Nuala O'Connor's Surveillance unsettles with creeping obsession. Rosemary Jenkinson's The Peacemaker exposes the dragnet of political memory, while Mary O'Donnell's The Creators conjures an eco-dystopia where female labour is conscripted. Farrelly's own For the Record captures the erosion of safety after adolescent violence. Take Six reveals charged moments where resistance flickers against silence, insisting on the complex realities of identity, power, and survival in a world narrowing by degrees.
–Adam Wyeth
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Apprentice star axed from show in anti-Semitism storm is selling £29 sick notes on demand despite being suspended doctor
AN APPRENTICE star who was axed from the show after a string of complaints over anti-Semitic comments is now peddling £29 sick notes on demand. Advertisement 4 Dr Asif Munaf was also suspended from the medical register after a series of anti-Semitic and sexist social media rants Credit: Instagram 4 Dr Asif was dropped by the BBC in 2024 after the comments emerged Credit: PA 4 His now defunct University of Masculinity website also came under fire for its controversial postings and retweeting posts by Andrew Tate Credit: Instagram/@drasifofficial He now runs Dr Sick Ltd, a company that offers same-day sick notes for as little as £29. Without any face-to-face or phone consultation, his company sold sick notes enabling customers five months off work for Covid, six weeks for anxiety over a sick pet, and four weeks of home working to enable them to go on holiday abroad. All requests were granted within a few hours, according to The axed Apprentice star, 37, told the newspaper: "I don't issue the medical notes – I run the business. Advertisement Read more "Dr Sick Ltd is an ICO-registered, UK-based digital service with a team of five fully GMC-registered UK doctors who issue fit notes in accordance with HIPAA-aligned guidelines." Because he has been suspended by the GMC, he is not allowed to practise medicine or present himself as a medical doctor. In 2024, NHS doctor turned wellness business owner and aspiring online 'guru' from the Apprentice after receiving complaints about his conduct from the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The Sun previously revealed how the Sheffield-born doctor and accusations of misogyny before the series kicked off. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Breaking Complaints had been sent to the BBC, including directly to Director General Tim Davie as well as its chairman, Samir Shah, over a social media post. Dr Asif made reference to a "godless, satanic cult [of Zionists]" before asking his followers: "Have you ever met even a semi-average looking Zionist? Aren't they all odiously ogre-like?" The BBC are understood to have discovered his His now defunct University of Masculinity website also came under fire for its controversial postings and retweeting posts by Advertisement In one While a video on his Instagram account is said to have been titled "Don't Trust What Women Say." It emerged a week after he was Advertisement He said in a video: 'A lot of brothers have got sick of feminism in the West generally. "Being in the corporate world as a woman all of your life, you are going to rub shoulders with a lot of men. "That is osmosis — you are going to absorb a lot of masculine ideals in terms of competitiveness, being blunt — it is a real problem in the UK." Responding - before the series began - to concerns about Asif's postings, a spokesperson on behalf of The Apprentice said: 'After filming had taken place, we were made aware of concerns over social media posts that Asif had made after he had left the process. As soon as we were alerted, we took immediate action and spoke to Asif in detail on this. Advertisement 'Asif took part in specialised training to understand why his posts may cause offence. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment on and off screen.' Dr Asif said at the time: 'I apologise for any offence caused by my online content/social media. "It was not my intention to offend anyone, and I am of course open to all views. The beliefs I hold and have shared are based on the values that I was brought up with.' 4 Dr Asif Munaf, Paul Bowen and Phil Turner on the Apprentice Credit: PA Advertisement
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
England U21s star looks worse for wear after wild celebrations onboard 3:30am flight for winning European Championships
ENGLAND Under-21s star Jack Hinshelwood looked worse for wear after wild celebrations following the Euros triumph. The Three Lions beat Germany 3-2 in the final with Jonathan Rowe notching an extra-time winner. 6 Jack Hinshelwood looks a little worse for wear after the final celebrations Credit: Instagram @harvelliot 6 Hinshelwood, right, was on the beers after the Euros triumph Credit: Instagram @ 6 England Under-21s beat Germany to win the Euros 6 Final goalscorer Harvey Elliott celebrates with the trophy Credit: Instagram @elliotandersonn 6 Elliott posed for photos with Liverpool team-mate Tyler Morton Credit: Instagram @tylermorton6 6 Alex Scott gave Morton a new nickname Credit: Instagram @alexscott The players enjoyed their success with boozy celebrations in Slovakia, leaving some a little under the weather. Hinshelwood was filmed by The Brighton star looked the part in an He posed for a selfie alongside goalkeeper James Beadle - hours after the Sheffield Wednesday star took a snap with Hinshelwood, beer bottle in hand. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Hinshelwood also took a snap with finalist goalscorer Elliott, who called him a "legend". Elliott posed for several photos including one in a hotel, trophy in hand and cycling-style sunglasses covering his face. The sunnies featured in another pic Elliott took with his Morton also indulged in some plane beers as Bournemouth's Alex Scott nicknamed him 'Tyler De Bruyne'. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS While The celebrations were rather short lived however as the squad boarded a 3:30am flight back to the UK.
Irish Times
17 hours ago
- Irish Times
Glastonbury Festival says chants about Israel Defense Forces by Bob Vylan ‘crossed the line'
Glastonbury Festival has said chants about the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from punk duo Bob Vylan have 'crossed the line', with footage from their set to be assessed by English police. Bobby Vylan led crowds on the festival's West Holts Stage in chants of 'Death, death to the IDF' on Saturday. A member of Belfast rap trio Kneecap later suggested that fans should 'start a riot' at his bandmate's upcoming court appearance . In a joint Instagram post, Glastonbury Festival and Emily Eavis, daughter of the festival's founder Michael, said: 'As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism. READ MORE 'We will always believe in – and actively campaign for – hope, unity, peace and love. 'With almost 4,000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer's presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs.' The post said Glastonbury and Ms Eavis were 'appalled' by the statements made by Bob Vylan on Saturday. Eamily Eavis, daughter of Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images 'Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for anti-Semitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.' UK health secretary Wes Streeting said chants of 'death' to the IDF at Glastonbury were 'appalling' and that the BBC and festival have 'questions to answer'. 'I thought it's appalling, to be honest, and I think the BBC and Glastonbury have got questions to answer about how we saw such a spectacle on our screens,' Mr Streeting told Sky News. He said what people should be talking about in the context of Israel and Gaza is the humanitarian catastrophe and the fact that Israeli settlers attacked a Christian village this week. Asked if the BBC should have cut the live feed, he said the broadcaster has questions to answer. He said he did not know what the editorial and operational 'challenges' involved were. Palestinian flags on display as crowds watch Kneecap performing on the West Holts Stage during the Glastonbury Festival on Saturday. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA Wire Avon and Somerset Police said video footage would be assessed by officers 'to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation'. On social media, the Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was 'deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival'. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the scenes 'grotesque', writing on X: 'Glorifying violence against Jews isn't edgy. The West is playing with fire if we allow this sort of behaviour to go unchecked.' A BBC spokesperson saod: 'Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan's set were deeply offensive. 'During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language. We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.' Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan's performance, a UK government spokesperson said. Kneecap have been in the headlines after member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence. Kneecap performing on the West Holts Stage during the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset on Saturday. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA Wire In reference to his bandmate's forthcoming court date, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, who performs under the name Móglaí Bap, said they would 'start a riot outside the courts', before clarifying: 'No riots just love and support, and support for Palestine'. In the run-up to the festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset, several politicians called for Kneecap to be removed from the line-up and prime minister Keir Starmer said their performance would not be 'appropriate'. During the performance, Ó Cairealláin said: 'The prime minister of your country, not mine, said he didn't want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer.' He also said a 'big thank you to the Eavis family' and said 'they stood strong' amid calls for the organisers to drop them from the line-up. – PA
