Patriot by Alexei Navalny review – the man who dared to defy Putin

This remarkable memoir by the bold and fearless Russian opposition leader describes an extraordinary life, from a childhood in the shadow of Chornobyl to surviving a novichok attack and his final days in a remote Arctic penal colony

The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk review – hallucinogenic horrors

The Nobel laureate’s riff on The Magic Mountain takes on a darkly surreal life of its own in this tale of a young man’s visit to a health resort

Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels

Spellbinding witches; memories of home; treasure hunters; fake facts; fearsome creatures; a great guide to graphic art and more

Hip-hop Is History by Questlove review – the story of rap

The musician reflects on the ever-evolving art form, drawing on the front-row seat he had at key events such as the notorious 1995 Source awards

Letters by Oliver Sacks review – science, sex and motorcycles

The kaleidoscopic world and polymathic interests of a great neurologist brought to life in his correspondence

Rapture by Emily Maguire review – tale of medieval female pope feels fresh and intimate

This sensual account of a woman seeking knowledge and God in a man’s world brings us close to matters of faith and the body

My Hummingbird Father by Pascale Petit review – a tale of childhood trauma takes flight

The poet’s novel of art and abuse vividly evokes one woman’s quest to uncover long-lost memories

My Beloved Monster by Caleb Carr review – when a cat saves your life

A superb meditation on animal companionship by a novelist whose pet helped him heal from trauma

Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway review – this continuation of le Carré is a treat

A new story about cold war spymaster George Smiley written by John le Carré’s son expertly evokes the atmosphere of the originals

Unfortunately, She Was a Nymphomaniac by Joan Smith review – debunking misogynist myths of ancient Rome

This retelling of the lives of much-maligned Roman women sees their plight through a contemporary feminist lens

Watership Down review – charming rabbit animation still has power to terrify

A band of rabbits must leave their warren to find safety in a film that, even in a digital age, still has the bloody force to scare young minds

She Speaks! by Harriet Walter review – new words for Shakespeare’s women

An actor’s collection of supplementary speeches for Shakespeare’s female characters offers fresh insights into his work

Psychedelic Outlaws by Joanna Kempner review – a compelling case for the use of magic mushrooms in pain relief

The US sociologist’s study of psychoactive fungi to treat little-known medical conditions such as cluster headaches is well researched and wide ranging

The Room Next Door review – Almodóvar’s English-language debut is extravagant and engrossing

Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton give luxuriously self-aware performances as two old friends who are reunited in a doggedly mysterious drama

The Colour of Extinction by SC Flynn review – into the darkness… or the light?

Pulsating with tidal energy, the Dublin-based poet’s imaginative first collection is a harrowing wake-up call shot through with optimism