LESSONS, by Ian McEwan (Jonathan Cape, $37)
Towards the end of Ian McEwan's disquieting new novel, his hapless older hero, Roland Baines, is embarking on a "lockdown project" in which he's annotating several thousand photos spread across the floor of his London sitting room.
It is early 2020 and Roland, a widower in poor physical shape, is in the midst of the UK's first Covid lockdown. The photos, old-fashioned prints, span the years up to 2004, when digital technology took over. Roland's progress is slow; so far he has managed to write on the back of only 58 photos.
The images trigger long drifts of memory, with Roland mulling over the erratic course of his life, played out within the framework of epic political changes and global crises.
As a survey of humanity's progress over the past seven decades, Lessons presents a mixed bag that runs out of optimism. In today's world, Roland senses "a novel ugliness... with nations run by well-dressed criminals".
Denne historien er fra October 22, 2022-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra October 22, 2022-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
