Latest news with #Elizabethan
The Guardian
14 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Violent and lewd! Not Grand Theft Auto, Shakespeare's Macbeth
Last week, the Guardian spoke to the team behind Lili, a video game retelling of Macbeth, shown at the Cannes film festival. The headline quote from the piece was 'Shakespeare would be writing for games today', which I have heard many times, and does make a lot of sense. Shakespeare worked in the Elizabethan theatre, a period in which plays were considered popularist entertainment hardly worthy of analysis or preservation – just like video games today! The authorities were also concerned about the lewd and violent nature of plays and the effect they may have on the impressionable masses – ditto! But if we agree that a 21st-century Shakespeare would be making games, what sort would he be making? If our central thesis is that Shakespeare would be interested in mass, popular entertainment, then – if we're talking pure revenue – he would be making casual smartphone games: Tencent's multiplayer arena battle game Honor of Kings, for example, made $2.6bn (£1.9bn) last year. However, while the Bard was certainly interested in royalty and honour (and making money), it's hard to see Hamlet working as a multiplayer arena-based online battle game structured into an endless series of fast-paced skirmishes. Our titular hero would barely get out the words, 'O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!' before being vaporised in a scorching barrage attack. For similar reasons, I can't see Shakespeare making battle royale games such as Fortnite because, while he certainly liked a battle and lots of deaths, there's not a lot of room for narrative complexity or rousing military rhetoric when the sole aim is to shoot as many people as possible while dressed as a giant banana or Sabrina Carpenter. No, I think if Shakespeare was magically reincarnated in the first quarter of the 21st century, there is only one genre he'd be working in: the open-world role-playing adventure. Here, he'd have the time and space to weave complex narratives involving dozens of characters and diverse environments. King Lear's moors would become a desolate explorable wasteland, much like the post-apocalyptic hellscapes of Fallout or Death Stranding; Macbeth's castle would resemble the haunted dungeons of Elden Ring or The Witcher 3; the Verona of Romeo and Juliet would be a beautiful, troubled take on GTA's Los Santos. Shakespeare's major thematic obsessions – war, revenge, madness and the nature of free will – are all major elements in fantasy RPGs; his ability to weave in all classes, from the lowest peasants to the most vainglorious kings, is reflected in the social strata of the great open-world titles. Shakespeare's histories mixed real-life and fictional characters, as does the Assassin's Creed series, titles that are also interested in the classic Shakespearean concerns of identity, disguise and illusion. More broadly, open-world games have the same sort of freewheeling structure and psychological flexibility as Shakespeare's plays. They have subplots and side quests, they have nonlinear timelines and complicated, morally ambiguous characters; they are expansive and baggy, and wide open to varied interpretation. Vitally, open-world games let the spectator into the narrative as a viewer and an actor; similarly Shakespeare wanted his audiences to be drawn into the action, using asides, quips and monologues to break down the divide between stage and pit. Loud, opinionated and combative, video game players have much more in common with Shakespeare's Elizabethan audiences than polite modern theatregoers. This potential intersection between Shakespeare and open-world games is quietly gaining traction. A few years ago the RSC employed three artists to consider the interplay of live theatre with technology and one of them, the digital artist Adam Clarke, tested ideas for hosting Shakespeare performances within Minecraft. More recently, we saw the brilliant documentary Grand Theft Hamlet about an attempt to stage Hamlet within Grand Theft Auto during the Covid lockdowns. What, after all, is an open-world online video game if not a technological rendering of Shakespeare's fundamental philosophy: all the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. It is always intriguing to see highly recognisable video game genres getting clever reinterpretations. Rift Riff by Dutch game designer Adriaan de Jongh and his small team is a tower defence game like, say, Plants vs. Zombies, except here the landscape is much more open and there are little tactical additions, such as being able to lay down the foundations for new towers before you have gathered the required resources to build them, which makes planning fun and creative. Add in the lovely, inviting visuals and sound effects and you have a captivating strategy sim suitable for newcomers and veterans alike. Available on: PC Estimated playtime: 15-plus hours Writer, director and video game fan Alex Garland has been confirmed to helm a forthcoming live action movie adaptation of Elden Ring, produced by A24 and Bandai Namco. If it's going to be authentic, the first two hours of the film will revolve around the lead character being repeatedly slaughtered by the Tree Sentinel knight at the very start of the quest. Pac-Man is now officially 45 years old and the BFI has a piece tracing the evolution of the game from that old story about the pizza to the fact that all the ghosts have different personalities. Ms Pac-Man is a better game, though. Game design luminary Peter Molyneux recently held a Q&A session at the Nordic Game 2025 conference, and gaming news site wrote up his excellent answer to the question, whatever happened to Project Milo? And frankly, if you have to ask what that is, you'll never know. I am poring over Hurt Me Plenty, a lavish coffee table book about the best shooter games of the noughties, published by Bitmap Books. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Half-Life 2 and Unreal Tournament are all analysed here, as well as lesser-known oddities. (Codename: Nina – Global Terrorism Strike Force anyone?) A fascinating overview of this foundational period for modern shooter design. Unreal estate: the 12 greatest homes in video game history Fortnite returns to iPhone app store in US, ending exile imposed by Apple Hello Stranger – interactive thriller puts remote worker in trial-by-internet | ★★☆☆☆ Sign up to Pushing Buttons Keza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gaming after newsletter promotion This one came to us from Andy on email who asked: What's the strangest game you have ever played? Last year I played Harold Halibut on Game Pass, which I think is probably the weirdest game I've ever experienced. I'd love to hear about other strange gaming experiences. I've played a lot of games that are famously weird, such as Seaman (look after a talking fish with the voice of Leonard Nimoy), Mister Mosquito (you're a mosquito) and Katamari Damacy (you're making giant balls of junk for the king of the universe), but I've also played many more obscure weird games, such as Spectrum classic Fat Worm Blows A Sparky (you're a microscopic worm trapped in your own computer), the bizarre Amiga adventure Tass Times in Tonetown (you're trapped in an alternative 1980s punk dimension) and the PlayStation 2 voyeur sim, Polaroid Pete (you're a photographer trying to take snaps of weird things happening in local parks). My favourite is Sega's Emergency Call Ambulance, which is like Crazy Taxi except you're driving an ambulance with a critically ill patient in the back and if you get into too many collisions you have to give them CPR or they die. This was a big arcade release, but somehow never made it to home consoles. I simply cannot understand why. If you've got a question for Question Block – or anything else to say about the newsletter – email us on pushingbuttons@
Newsweek
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Newsweek Staffers Favorite Books to Read on Summer Vacation 2025
Vacation means different things to different people. For those who love books, a holiday isn't complete without tucking a book (or several) into their bag, or loading them onto an e-reader. But what makes the perfect holiday read? Some prefer something short to accompany busy days of sightseeing. Others want a long book that will entertain through hours on the beach doing little besides relaxing and the occasional drink or nap. Don't worry, Newsweek has you covered. Our expert staff has curated a list of highly recommended novels, memoirs and nonfiction to match whatever your vacation tastes. And to further help you along, we've estimated how much time each book choice will require to read it. A drawing of a character reading a book. A drawing of a character reading a book. iStock/Getty Of course, any day can be a vacation with a good book, so no need to reserve a ticket or a hotel to select one of these reads. Fiction The Pact The Pact Courtesy of Publisher Thriller The Pact by Sharon Bolton | Trapeze About a week, leaves time for sightseeing A slow burner that gradually tightens its grip before racing toward a chilling finale. Though I found every character thoroughly unlikeable, I couldn't look away. The story follows six privileged teens whose reckless dare ruins 18-year-old Megan's life, landing her in prison for 20 years. When she's released, she calls in the debt they all owe her, sparking a tense, high-stakes reckoning. Bolton masterfully explores guilt, privilege and justice in a story that's dark, unsettling and ultimately satisfying. ▸ Carrie Bremner, Art Director By Any Other Name By Any Other Name Courtesy of Publisher Strong Women By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult | Ballantine Books About a week, leaves time for sightseeing A modern New York City playwright struggles to be taken seriously until she tries concealing her identity. An Elizabethan woman can't become a published writer because of her gender. Both women are destined for success, but each must first become invisible to feed her ambition. This empowering novel juxtaposes their stories, leaving readers questioning how much has really changed, and what if history was written by women after all? If Taylor Swift's song "The Man" was a book, this would be it. ▸ Alyce Collins, Senior Life & Trends Reporter The Safekeep The Safekeep Courtesy of Publisher Suspense The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden | Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster A day or two; can't stop till you reach the end This book was shortlisted for the Booker Prize last year—once you start reading it, you can see why. The prose is tight and propulsive; the characters are fascinating; and the plot is not an afterthought, as it sometimes can be with more "high-minded" novels. A subtle mystery with a romantic twist. ▸ Zahreen Ghaznavi, General Counsel Deliver Me Deliver Me Courtesy of Publisher Horror Deliver Me by Elle Nash | Verve Books A day or two; can't stop till you reach the endNash's novel is a creepy and unsettling body of horror. The story, focusing on Dee-Dee, a worker in a meatpacking plant, is ominous, tragic and unlike anything else I've ever read. Three of my friends and I all read this on a trip to France last year; none of us could put it down. Ideal for fans of Margaret Atwood, Otessa Moshfegh and Emma Cline. ▸ Marni Rose McFall, U.S. News Reporter Our Evenings Our Evenings Courtesy of Publisher LGBTQ+ Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst | Random House A leisurely read; give it two weeks Hollinghurst is something of an unofficial gay laureate in U.K. fiction. In his latest tome he puts a new story—of two friends whose lives cross over from the swinging sixties to Brexit Britain—in his trademark style. He portrays an unrivaled understanding of relationships that is still evolving at this stage in his celebrated career. ▸ Ben Kelly, Senior Audience Editor The Tiffany Girls The Tiffany Girls Courtesy of Publisher Historical Fiction The Tiffany Girls by Shelley Noble | William Morrow Paperbacks About a week, leaves time for sightseeing Step inside the world of Tiffany Studios' women's glass-cutting department in the late 1890s and early 1900s. This well-researched book beautifully describes the strong sister-like connections in the division, led by the very real and inspiring glass designer Clara Driscoll, as well as at a local boardinghouse. At a time when women's rights were mostly ignored, the so-called "Tiffany Girls" were highly skilled artisans with an unbreakable bond. In fact, Driscoll's crown jewel, the Tiffany dragonfly lamp—featured in the book—and other glass designs are on view at The New York Historical museum. If your vacation allows, take a trip to the museum to see it yourself. ▸ Mandy Taheri, Weekend Reporter The Incredible Kindness of Paper The Incredible Kindness of Paper Courtesy of Publisher Feel-Good The Incredible Kindness of Paper by Evelyn Skye | Atria/Emily Bestler Books A day or two; can't stop till you reach the end Perfect for the end of summer, this feel-good novel will be in bookstores in August. Chloe and Oliver's friendship—from their meeting as first-grade pen pals through their teens—was so tight that everyone just called them "Clover." Circumstances separate them, only to bring them back together in their 30s, through mysterious workings, Chloe's endlessly positive attitude and her yellow origami notes. It's just the book you need—beautifully drawn characters and prose and a smile-inducing story. ▸ Meredith Wolf Schizer, Senior Editor, Operations A Family Apart A Family Apart Courtesy of Publisher Family Values A Family Apart by Joan Lowery Nixon | Laurel Leaf About a week, leaves time for sightseeing Though written for middle schoolers, I still recommend this book well into my 20s. The first book that made me fall in love with reading, it's a story about a young girl's fight and sacrifice to keep her family together. Set in America in 1856, this tale shows what life was like on an orphan train and gives a unique glimpse into American history. Even better, it is the first book in a seven-part series, each of which focuses on the siblings of the protagonist, Frances Mary Kelly. ▸ Jenna deJong, SEO Journalist The Hitch-hiker's Guide To The Galaxy The Hitch-hiker's Guide To The Galaxy Courtesy of Publisher Science Fiction The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams | Del Rey A day or two; can't stop till you reach the end Don't panic. This is the only book where Earth's destruction is merely a mildly inconvenient plot twist. Meet a perpetually befuddled human, a two-headed galactic president and Marvin—the clinically depressed robot you never knew you needed. You'll learn to always carry a towel, distrust bureaucracy and the answer to everything. Read it because existence is absurd, and laughter might be the most intelligent response available. ▸ Gray R Thomas, Digital Content Editor Murder By Cheesecake Murder By Cheesecake Courtesy of Publisher Murder Mystery Murder by Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery by Rachel Ekstrom Courage | Hyperion Avenue A day or two; can't stop till you reach the end It's like an episode of The Golden Girls, but with murder. Could anything be more perfect? Reading it is like watching a classic episode of the late '80s show, complete with laughs, combined with that cozy murder-mystery feeling every episode of Murder, She Wrote gives you. Also perfect for fans of The Maid or The Thursday Murder Club, it's basically like being wrapped in a cozy (albeit blood-stained) blanket. ▸ H. Alan Scott, Senior Editor Conversations With Friends Conversations With Friends Courtesy of Publisher Hopeless Romantic Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney | Crown About a week, leaves time for sightseeing A master at capturing the beauty and pain in everyday life, Rooney tells the story of two Irish college students exploring newfound relationships with an older, married couple. This book will tear you apart (in the best way!) ▸ Kate Nalepinski, SEO Journalist The River Has Roots The River Has Roots Courtesy of Publisher Fantasy The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar | Tordotcom Publishing A day or two; can't stop till you reach the end A beautiful reimagining of The Two Sisters murder ballad that weaves folk song and magic into the flow of the river Liss in Thistleford. This isn't quite England, but it isn't quite anywhere else either. ▸ Duncan Ross, Global Head of Research The Rachel Incident The Rachel Incident Courtesy of Publisher Coming-of-Age The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue | Vintage About a week, leaves time for sightseeing This charming story is both funny and messy. Rachel and James' friendship feels much like ones many of us found in our early 20s—lit with a match, sparked by an immediate connection and then quickly becoming all-consuming. The character development, though, is the opposite, building slowly and realistically. And all with a witty plot. ▸ Katherine Fung, Senior Reporter A drawing of a character reading a book. A drawing of a character reading a book. iStock/Getty Nonfiction English Folk Tales of Coast and Sea English Folk Tales of Coast and Sea Courtesy of Publisher Folklore English Folk Tales of Coast and Sea by Lisa Schneidau | The History Press About a week, leaves time for sightseeing Dive into England's maritime history with this charming collection of 52 folk tales passed down through the generations, retold by ecologist and storyteller Schneidau. From encounters with mermaids, the devil and even Robin Hood to themes of superstition and skulduggery, these short tales are perfect escapism to dip in and out of during your summer vacation. ▸ Carrie Anderson, Senior Editor, Print & Digital From Here To The Great Unknown From Here To The Great Unknown Courtesy of Publisher Celebrity From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough | Random House A day or two; can't stop till you reach the end Amazing as an audiobook, its immersive nature kept me tuned in for the nearly six-hour runtime. The book is a conversation between Lisa Marie Presley and her daughter, Riley Keough, who helped finish Presley's memoir after her 2023 death. Read by Julia Roberts and Keough with samples of Presley's audio notes, I was transported by this familial love story from start to finish. ▸ Alyssa Haak, Publishing Editor The Spinach King The Spinach King Courtesy of Publisher Family Business The Spinach King: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty by John Seabrook | W. W. Norton & Company About a week, leaves time for sightseeing Still have a Succession-shaped hole in your life? Then read this gripping real-life story of how a New Jersey family farming empire was torn apart by intergenerational conflict. A deeply personal look at his grandfather's business, this is an epic American tale of capitalism, class tensions and racial exploitation in the 20th century. ▸ Alfred Joyner, News Director Stay True Stay True Courtesy of Publisher Friendship and Adversity Stay True by Hua Hsu | Vintage About a week, leaves time for sightseeing Hsu gets right to the heart of the experience of growing up—focusing on the transcendent power of human connection and how grief can empower us to forge ahead in the face of adversity. His reflection on the death of his friend Ken and how their serendipitous friendship molded him is inspired, heart-wrenching and beautifully told. Though I had been through the emotional wringer by the end, the memoir still left me feeling warm and optimistic. ▸ Vic Verbalaitis, Editorial Intern Careless People: A Cautionary Tale Of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism Careless People: A Cautionary Tale Of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism Courtesy of Publisher Social Media Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams | Flatiron Books A day or two; can't stop till you reach the end Easy to dismiss as the rant of a disgruntled ex-employee, Wynn-Williams' account of the job she dreamed up for herself at Facebook is compelling. While overseeing the social media giant's global policy and government relations, she finds herself at the heart of the company's most problematic decisions. But her disillusion sets in as she fails to steer Facebook in the direction she would like. One highlight is her quest to persuade the Myanmar regime to lift restrictions on the company. As she meets representatives of the oppressive military junta entirely alone, her description of the sinister atmosphere is palpable. Few in the corporate world can have been "further from Kansas." ▸ Trevor Davies, Digital Content Editor Just Mercy Just Mercy Courtesy of Publisher Criminal Reform Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson | One World A leisurely read; give it two weeks Just Mercy speaks to the flaws of the American criminal justice system, especially injustices faced by marginalized communities. Stevenson's interactions with death row inmates call attention to wrongful convictions and racial prejudice. This heartbreaking but optimistic memoir urges readers to confront inequality and consider their role in the struggle for justice; a call to action for a more just society. ▸ Amanda M. Castro, Live Blog Editor Minority Rule: Adventures In The Culture War Minority Rule: Adventures In The Culture War Courtesy of Publisher Culture Minority Rule: Adventures in the Culture War by Ash Sarkar | Bloomsbury Publishing About a week, leaves time for sightseeing The book examines how political and media elites manipulate cultural divisions to maintain power. Sarkar writes with sharp humor and clarity, making complex ideas about power, identity and media feel accessible without dumbing them down. It's packed with spicy anecdotes, biting commentary and pop culture references that keep it engaging even when tackling weighty themes. ▸ Sonal Nain, Newsletter Reporter and Producer When The Going Was Good When The Going Was Good Courtesy of Publisher Media When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines by Graydon Carter | Penguin Press A leisurely read; give it two weeks Carter brilliantly captures the heyday for long-form magazine journalism with a slew of deliciously indiscreet tales from his time in the editor's chair at Vanity Fair from 1992 to 2017, and from the rest of his journalism career. The lavish expenses culture he details in an era awash with advertising money is enough to make any modern-day mag chief green with envy. ▸ Paul Rhodes, Head of Magazines Abundance Abundance Courtesy of Publisher Politics Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson | Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster A leisurely read; give it two weeks Nothing says summer beach read like a deep analysis of the failures of liberal governance and the vexing problems of housing, climate change and infrastructure. But if you are interested in seeing a blueprint for how the Democrats can win elections again, this is it: with a rabid focus on development, cutting red tape and lots of housing. ▸ Carlo Versano, Politics Director Matriarch Matriarch Courtesy of Publisher Southern Soul Matriarch by Tina Knowles | One World A leisurely read; give it two weeks As someone whose own mama hails from the Gulf Coast and grew up in the South during the 1960s, reading Matriarch felt like coming home. Tina Knowles—or Mama Tina—pulls back the curtain on her life with warmth, honesty and that unmistakable Southern charm. From a spirited young girl splashing in the brown waters of Galveston to a woman carving her place as a wife, mother and businesswoman, Mama Tina's journey is full of grit, grace and resilience. She moves effortlessly from "bless your heart" gentleness to full-on mama bear energy when needed. While I won't spoil what she shares about her two famous daughters (yes, those daughters), I'll just say: Get your own copy. You'll laugh, reflect and maybe even call your mama when you're done. A must-read for anyone who values strength, survival and Southern soul. ▸ Emeri B. Montgomery, Director of Audience
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Scotsman
Pretty town 30 minutes from Edinburgh is crowned ‘Scotland's happiest place to live'
A pretty market town that's just a 30 minute drive from Edinburgh has been crowned as Scotland's happiest place to live. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It comes as The Guardian shared its list of Britain's happiest towns and cities, with England's northernmost town taking the top spot overall. Introducing its list, The Guardian says: 'What makes a place somewhere good to live? Where might we be happiest if we had the choice of going anywhere? It's an almost impossible question, as we do not all thrive on the same things, but there are some that are universally agreed to be conducive to cheeriness. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'When we tried to work out the happiest places for Guardian readers, easy access to countryside and parks, sea, lakes and rivers were high on the list of ingredients, as studies have shown that getting out and about in nature can help improve your mood.' Sharing the title of Scotland's happiest place to live with Perth is the East Lothian town of Haddington. The Guardian said: 'Drive 30 minutes from Haddington in one direction and you can be in Edinburgh city centre, catching a fringe show or jetting off from the airport. Drive 30 minutes the other way and you can be riding horses along the beach in the shadow of Tantallon Castle or eating lobster and chips while gazing out at Bass Rock. 'But to describe Haddington solely in terms of its proximity to nearby attractions would be a disservice to this small, friendly town that has a good deal going for it in terms of amenities and community spirit.# Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Away from the coast and just off the A1 with no train station of its own, Haddington flies under the radar compared with other pockets of East Lothian. In-the-know locals have no problem catching the express bus when they fancy a jaunt into the city but there's plenty to keep them occupied nearby too, whether they're meandering the Tyne river path or hunkering down in one of the many cosy pubs.' Berwick-upon-Tweed, which sits just 4km south of the Anglo-Scottish border, was crowned as Britain's happiest place to live. The Guardian said: 'Today, Berwick-upon-Tweed remains an often overlooked jewel. Yet people who know it, adore it – it is a great place to live with community spirit in bundles. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The biggest draw for many is the heritage and the architecture that tells its story, with the Elizabethan town walls considered some of the best preserved in Europe. They were built to keep out marauding Scots, resolute that Berwick was not English, and were the most expensive undertaking of England's golden age. Walking them takes about 45 minutes but is well worth it. Close your eyes and you can feel the history, open them and the views are sensational.' You can see The Guardian's full list of Britain's happiest places to live here.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
12 classic desserts that have stood the test of time
Cheesecake reached classic dessert status in the 1980s thanks to The Cheesecake Factory – Photo courtesy of LauriPatterson / E+ This article was originally published in January 2021 and updated in May 2025. Desserts change, but our sweet tooth doesn't. Our taste for fatty, sweet, creamy, salty, chocolatey treats is a part of our collective DNA. But what desserts we crave aren't just dictated by our hunger, but also by trends. Here are some of the most popular classic desserts broken down by decade since 1900. 1900s | Ice cream cones No classic desserts list can be without ice cream – Photo courtesy of ahirao_photo / iStock Via Getty Images The World's Fair was responsible for many advancements in food technology, and the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri, is the best example. We have the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Expo to thank for introducing puffed rice cereal, French's mustard, and the popularization of cotton candy and hot dogs. Advertisement However, one of the most notable inventions of that show was the ice cream cone — an accidental invention. The story goes that an ice cream vendor ran out of cups to serve ice cream, and a pastry maker in a neighboring booth offered him a thin waffle cone to serve ice cream in. So the next time you grab an ice cream cone, remember you're holding a classic dessert born of ingenuity and innovation. 1910s | Strawberry shortcake The trinity of cake, strawberries and whipped cream come together in this classic dessert – Photo courtesy of ASIFE / iStock Via Getty Images Shortcakes date back to at least the Elizabethan era. But the modern concept of strawberry shortcake, layering slices of strawberries with sponge cake and whipped cream, came about when a French pastry chef replaced the customary sugary frosting topping with heavy whipped cream instead. The classic dessert became so beloved that during the 1910s, you could find it on menus throughout the United States. Advertisement 1920s | S'mores S'mores is short for "some more" which is true because who can ever eat just one of these? – Photo courtesy of bhofack2 / iStock Via Getty Images Thank the Girl Scouts for inventing camping's favorite bonfire treat. The first recipe for s'mores arrived in the 1927 Girl Scout guidebook 'Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.' The combination of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers was already popular, thanks to Mallomars, which first appeared in 1913, and Moonpies, which launched in 1917. So the world was already hungry for the treat by the time s'mores came around. 1930s | Mock apple pie Frugality was a hallmark of the decade between the two world wars, and the Great Depression meant doing without many things. Clever home cooks, however, always found ways to bring something sweet to the table, and mock apple pie became a staple during these challenging times. Apples were expensive then, so apple pie wasn't the most economical dessert to make. But in the 1930s, someone discovered that the combination of buttery Ritz crackers, lemon, vanilla, sugar, and cinnamon resembles the taste and texture of real apple pie, and it became a popular dessert that grew in popularity during World War II. Although Ritz removed the recipe from the back of its cracker box in 1993, it's still available so you can make the classic dessert today. Advertisement 1940s | Twinkies with vanilla filling Twinkie, the famous cream-filled sponge cake, used to be filled with banana cream – Photo courtesy of bhofack2 / iStock Via Getty Images Did you know that, before the 1940s, Twinkies had banana cream filling? But a banana shortage during World War II forced the company to develop a vanilla filling instead. Twinkies have had vanilla filling ever since. In recent years, Hostess has brought back the banana cream-filled Twinkies, but they are not as popular as the tried-and-true vanilla-filled ones. 1950s | Jell-O salads Jell-O salads, including ambrosia, are quintessential classic desserts – Photo courtesy of bhofack2 / iStock Via Getty Images Though Jell-O salads are mostly known as mid-century dishes, they appeared decades earlier and became wildly popular, especially during the Great Depression. Depression-era home cooks trying to stretch their ingredients relied on Jell-O to make food last longer. Of course, a Jell-O salad isn't the type of salad most think of today. They don't usually have greens — unless you mean lime-green Jell-O — but sometimes include vegetables, like carrots. These jiggly creations start with flavored gelatin mixed with a creamy element, fruits, sometimes marshmallows or nuts, and became popular in the 1950s for their ease and fun taste. Today, Jell-O salads are popular throughout the Midwest and the South, especially at church picnics and on holiday tables, served as dessert or salad. 1960s | Pineapple upside-down cake Pineapple upside-down cake is a perennial favorite – Photo courtesy of manyakotic / iStock Via Getty Images The pineapple upside-down cake had a moment in 1925, when the Hawaiian Pineapple Company held a contest to see who could make the best pineapple recipe, inviting nearly 2,500 pineapple upside-down cake entries. But the delightful dessert made a big comeback in the 1950s and 1960s. Advertisement The gorgeous presentation of caramelized pineapples adorned with cherries atop a vanilla cake made it a popular dessert for parties. You were considered the host with the most when you brought your guests a pineapple upside-down cake. 1970s | Carrot cake Despite not being the healthiest dessert, carrot cakes were part of the "hippie food" health craze – Photo courtesy of bhofack2 / iStock Via Getty Images It's believed that carrot cakes derived from carrot puddings made in Europe during the Middle Ages. Carrot cakes became very popular in the 1970s, during what's referred to as the 'hippie food' era. The rise in alternative lifestyles and the focus on health and wellness led to more vegetarianism and more fruit- and vegetable-based diets. Carrot cakes are not considered healthy, especially by today's standards, but they are still one of the decade's most popular desserts. 1980s | Cheesecake The cheesecake possibilities are virtually endless – Photo courtesy of LauriPatterson / E+ Cheesecakes aren't new, but in the 1980s, there was a cheesecake renaissance in the United States. Several cookbooks were published focusing solely on cheesecake and the many ways it can be made and enjoyed. Advertisement In 1972, the Cheesecake Factory opened, slowly expanding over a decade, opening America's eyes to the numerous cheesecake possibilities. Plus, delis and diners across the nation had cake displays filled with eye-catching cheesecake desserts. It truly was a decadent decade. 1990s | Ice cream cakes The ice cream cake is one of the best classic desserts through history – Photo courtesy of Victor Yee / iStock Via Getty Images For millennials, nearly every childhood birthday party memory involves an ice cream cake. Ice cream cakes were all the rage during the 1980s and 1990s, thanks to companies like Friendly's and Carvel. The height of ice cream cake excellence was the Viennetta, a sophisticated ice cream cake made of layers of fudgy chocolate and vanilla ice cream arranged in an ornate design. While the latter is no longer widely available, ice cream cakes still reign supreme in grocery stores and shops nationwide. Advertisement 2000s and beyond | Gourmet cupcakes Cupcakes have always been a classic dessert, but gourmet cupcakes really took off in the early 2000s – Photo courtesy of YinYang / E+ Cupcakes have been around for over 200 years — the first-known cupcake-like dessert appeared in an 18th century cookbook — and kids and adults have been devouring them at school functions, bake sales, potlucks, team picnics, and holidays for generations. But we can thank Carrie Bradshaw and her "Sex and the City" Magnolia Bakery cupcake for the gourmet cupcake craze that swept the nation at the turn of the (current) century. That vanilla cupcake with pink buttercream started a trend of (sometimes) enormous confections made with top-notch ingredients in new flavors like bourbon-vanilla, red velvet with cream cheese, and tiramisu. Entire cupcake shops and mail-order businesses became the norm. Gourmet cupcakes are still going strong today. Cronut Crossing a donut with a croissant put the Cronut in classic dessert status – Photo courtesy of martiapunts / iStock Via Getty Images In 2013, pastry chef Dominique Ansel dropped his latest creation at his New York City bakery: a croissant-donut hybrid that took the city and the world by storm. The Cronut — made of flaky, buttery croissant dough that's deep-fried like a donut, then filled with flavored cream, rolled in sugar, and glazed — took months of development before Ansel unleashed it. Advertisement
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'Most beautiful' UK village filled with charm where tourists pay £9.90 to enter
This ancient fishing village in Devon was relatively unknown to the world before the mid-1800s, but today its draws tourists with seafood festivals and elegant cottages If you're looking to escape the sounds of heavy city traffic, a trip to Devon may be the answer. One car-free haven in particular is being hailed as the 'dreamiest' spot in the country on social media. Clovelly Village in North Devon was highlighted by the TikTok account @storky_adventures, who described it as 'one of the most beautiful spots in the UK'. In a video showing off the cobblestone streets and picturesque cottages of the town, the influencer says being there was like 'stepping back in time'. Anyone that has visited Clovelly can attest to its transformative atmosphere. The fishing village rests atop a 400-foot cliff and offers unbelievable views overlooking the seas, though there is an entrance fee. There has always been a charge to visit Clovelly. The village relies on entrance fees to upkeep the ancient village. The standard admission charge of £9.90 for adults and £5.75 for children 7-16 includes a free return visit within 7 days. You can also purchase a £26 family pass that includes entrance for two adults and two children over 7 - children under 7 and dogs are welcome without charge. As well, if you stay at one of the village's two historic hotels, entrance to Clovelly is included. The ancient village was once owned by the Queen of England and has been privately held since Elizabethan times. Originally the estate was owned by William the Conquero r who gifted it to his wife before it was eventually acquired by the Giffard family in 1242. Until the mid 19th century Clovelly was unknown to the outside world but today it is a well-preserved gem for travellers - with plenty of fishing and architectural points of interest. The village's fishing quay is one of its most popular attractions. To get to the 14th-century harbour you will need to take the iconic 'Up-a-long' or 'Down-a-long' - the village's cobbled streets - given the absence of cars. The car-free atmosphere means that you can enjoy the area without the noise pollution and traffic typical of other UK destinations. Strolling through the village on foot also gives travellers the opportunity to explore hidden passageways and see the notable cottages up close and at leisure. Instead of a flood of cars and trucks, travellers will see donkeys and sledges being used to transport goods. The village even has a donkey adoption program to help keep their beloved mules happy and healthy. Fishing is still a key part of life in Clovelly and the port remains well-known for its lobsters, crabs and mackerel. Seafood lovers will be happy to know that Clovelly's restaurants offer locally sourced food, serving the freshest in-season catch daily. The village is also part of a sustainable fishing partnership to ensure lobsters thrive in the nearby waters for years to come. Consider planning a trip for May to enjoy the Seaweed Festival which celebrates the coast's natural bounty. Another big festival for food-focused travellers to keep an eye out for its the Lobster and Crab Feast that takes place in August. The annual event showcases the village's famous seafood. There's also the Herring Festival in November to honour the village's fishing heritage. If you're wondering where to stay in the village, there are two historic hotels to choose from. The New Inn is a historic gem sitting in the heart of the village. The 400 year-old property has 11 ensuite rooms across two buildings and has stunning views across Bideford Bay. Another great and historically significant accommodation option is The Red Lion. The 18th-century four-star inn is set just along the ancient harbour so it has impressive sea views. It is also home to the reputable Harbour Restaurant and stay at The Red Lion includes entrance to The Clovelly Court Gardens.
