Crossing the Wine Dark Sea by Emily Wilson review – a masterclass in translation
The polarising translator of the Odyssey and the Iliad sets out her philosophy in this fascinating collection
A Billion Years of Sex Differences by Steve Stewart-Williams review – what we get wrong about men and women
A psychologist wades into controversial territory in this counterintuitive study of nature, nurture and gender
Whistler by Ann Patchett review – a saccharine story of reunion
A woman’s encounter with the stepfather she hasn’t seen for decades leads to a revived bond – but is it all too perfect?
The Birthday Party review – grimly compulsive unhappy occasion in deepest France
Cannes film festival: This could be better paced but the crisis which descends on an up-against-it dairy farm is delivered by some very memorable goons
Children and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels
A bunny who loves to bake, illustrated poems about amazing animals and a YA verse novel of dancefloor salvation
Hunger and Thirst by Claire Fuller review – a blend of social realism and gothic horror
In this lurid, big-boned, often brilliant book about a sculptor and a true-crime documentary, state-of-the-nation commentary and gruesome chills combine
Phantom Days by Angela O’Keeffe review – a rich, lyrical story told through the ‘eyes’ of a book
Though O’Keeffe’s third novel is partly narrated by a seemingly sentient object, the result is wonderfully human
Quartet in Autumn review – Samantha Harvey gives new life to Barbara Pym tale of imminent retirement
The 70s novel about the everyday grumbles of four office workers remains just as relevant, playfully staged by director Dominic Dromgoole
Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly audiobook review – smart reflections on love, desire and power
This heartfelt story of attraction and friendship, shortlisted for the Women’s prize for fiction, is sensitively read by Dan Bottomley
The Mercy Step by Marcia Hutchinson review – indie debut on the Women’s prize shortlist
This vivid story of a Caribbean childhood in 1960s Bradford does not stint on accounts of poverty and systemic abuse, yet is pungent with wit and colour
Stephen Sondheim by Daniel Okrent review – a superb biography of the musical master
Packed with gossip and incident, this book is also a fascinating study in the gestation of genius
Astell and Woolf review – feminist writers unite and share a sherry in the afterlife
In Shelagh Stephenson’s spiky comedy, Virginia Woolf and Mary Astell become celestial companions, discussing religion, science and independence
Art Cure by Daisy Fancourt review – is culture the best medicine?
A professor of psychobiology argues that art – from painting to theatre – has a measurable impact on our health
Caroline Aherne by David Scott review – portrait of a comedy maverick
A biography of the creative force behind Mrs Merton and The Royle Family focuses on the stories behind her work
I Want You to Be Happy by Jem Calder review – romance for the terminally online
What makes this love story fresh is the precise attention to the contemporary environment: the way characters live both in and out of the physical world