The Rich People Have Gone Away by Regina Porter review – ambitious New York lockdown mystery

The playwright turned novelist’s second novel turns on the way that Covid restrictions altered the social order, but its central story gets bogged down with endless diversions

Home Is Where We Start by Susanna Crossman review – growing up in a world without rules

This otherwise fascinating account of childhood in a disturbingly liberal commune is somewhat marred by ‘poetic’ excesses

Trump in Exile review – reporter depicts Trump after January 6

Politico’s Meridith McGraw reminds us of Trump’s limited vetting skills and aversion to Ron ‘DeSanctimonious’

Elena: A Hand Made Life by Miriam Gold review – a beautifully crafted memoir of a beloved grandmother

A visual tribute to doctor Elena Zadik, who overcame trauma and career obstacles to become a pillar of her northern community, is a real treat

The week in theatre: The Years; Pericles – review

Extraordinary performances from five actors all playing the writer Annie Ernaux add up to a five-star adaptation of her Nobel prize-winning book. And a fairytale take on Pericles

In brief: The Wedding People; Ingrained; On the Brink – review

Sparkling observations dot a sharp and funny tale of Rhode Island nuptials, a love letter to the craft of woodworking and compassionate reflections on mental health

The Art of Power by Nancy Pelosi review – politics with principles

The former US House speaker’s memoir includes powerful accounts of the Capitol assault and Trump’s instability, offering insights into the career of a formidable woman who still wields great influence

Living on Earth by Peter Godfrey-Smith review – animal magic

The conclusion of a trilogy that began with Other Minds provides an exquisite account of intelligence across species

Margolyes & Dickens: The Best Bits review – the nation’s favourite foul mouth

There’s more Margolyes than Dickens here, but her gift for florid characters is on fine display and suits the Victorian master perfectly

The best recent science fiction and fantasy – reviews roundup

Extremophile by Ian Green; Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan; Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova; The Formidable Miss Cassidy by Meihan Boey; Lake of Darkness by Adam Roberts

A Memoir of My Former Self by Hilary Mantel audiobook review – preoccupations of a vibrant mind

Actor Lydia Leonard and novelist Anne Enright are among the narrators of the Wolf Hall author’s engaging essays on Madonna, Jane Austen and Princess Diana

Ravelling by Estelle Birdy review – a gutsy coming-of-age debut

This is a beautifully observed portrait of five young men growing up on the edge of Dublin’s underworld

Woo Woo by Ella Baxter review – an art world satire brimming with fury and flair

Baxter’s follow-up to New Animal is part Melbourne scene sketch, part stalker thriller – and a wholly unique manifesto for seizing creative power from fear

Strange Relations by Ralf Webb review – brave new queer world

A richly rewarding account of how four literary giants created an erotic revolution in post-war American culture

Bonding by Mariel Franklin review – smart satire of tech elites

This debut about love, sex and wellness in the digital age is harsh and fun