The Origin of Language by Madeleine Beekman review – the surprising history of speech
It takes a village to raise a child – and that’s why we started speaking, argues an evolutionary biologist
Freakier Friday review – puppyishly uninhibited Jamie Lee Curtis saves body-swap sequel
The body-swap comedy continues and while Lindsay Lohan puts in a serviceable appearance it’s her co-star who makes this zany update a treat
Progress by Samuel Miller McDonald review – humanity’s greatest myth?
A spirited skewering of the idea that things can only get better takes us from the Book of Genesis to neoliberalism
TonyInterruptor by Nicola Barker review – satire that sees right through you
This brilliantly over-the-top comedy about an unworldly heckler explores art and authenticity – being tripped up by it is part of the fun
Bloody Awful in Different Ways by Andrev Walden review – darkly funny Swedish autofiction
In this bleak, bestselling coming-of-age debut, the author evokes life with the seven dads he had in seven years
The Confessions of Samuel Pepys by Guy de la Bédoyère review – journal of a predator
Newly decoded extracts expose the celebrated 17th-century diarist and naval administrator as a rapacious abuser
Pissants by Brandon Jack review – is this novel a critique or a celebration of toxic masculinity? Even it isn’t sure
The former AFL player’s debut novel barely has a plot, following a group of aggressive, entitled footy players as they get wasted and treat women like props
The Count of Monte Cristo review – you’ll have to pause every 45 seconds to shake your head at its daftness
Jeremy Irons and Sam Claflin star in this extraordinary adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ ludicrous 1844 novel. It’s full of howlers, wooden acting and terrible dialogue, but at points it’s so bad it’s fun
The best recent poetry – review roundup
Passion by David Morley; Versus Versus edited by Rachael Boast; So What by Frederick Seidel; In the Hollow of the Wave by Nina Mingya Powles; Transfigurations by Jay Wright
Authority: Essays on Being Right by Andrea Long Chu review – scorching hot takes
The Pulitzer-winning critic has some choice words for the likes of Zadie Smith, Hanya Yanagihara and Bret Easton Ellis
The Immigrants by Moreno Giovannoni review – family history fuels a novel of understated beauty
Blending fiction and family memoir, the author’s second novel pays tribute to the lives and labour of his parents and their community of postwar Italian immigrants in Australia
The Light of Day by Christopher Stephens and Louise Radnofsky audiobook review – a pioneer of gay liberation
Stephens narrates his account of Roger Butler’s role in the gay rights movement before losing his sight – and their later life-changing friendship
Dreaming of Dead People by Rosalind Belben review – rivals anything by Virginia Woolf
More than 40 years on from its first publication, this exploration of one woman’s thoughts and fantasies is a gem worthy of rediscovery
When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén review – a novel anyone will take to heart
A huge hit in Sweden, this portrait of one man and his dog as the end approaches is a simple yet effective meditation on mortality, love and care
Gwyneth: The Biography by Amy Odell review – Gwyn and bear it
There’s glamour, Goop and ghosting in this an unsparing account of Paltrow’s world