Vincent by Barbara Stok – review

Stok's graphic novel is a vibrant, sad account of Van Gogh's move to Arles and his struggle with mental illness, writes James Smart

Visions of Science: Books and Readers at the Dawn of the Victorian Age – review

James Secord wades into a wonderfully complex period of intellectual fervour. By Rosemary Hill

Half of a Yellow Sun review – ‘Well-intentioned and heartfelt’

This adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel, though often sluggish, is a valuable reminder of Britain's toxic post-imperial legacy, writes Peter Bradshaw

Wisden 2014 review: Stunningly inclusive with a strong line on politics

There is much to admire in this year's Wisden, including excellent contributions on women's cricket and a focus on India

Top 10 science and tech books for April: how to cook insects and can humans save the Earth?

From bug recipes to surviving the planet's predicament

Charlie Chaplin review – a man condemned to journey alone

Peter Ackroyd's Chaplin belongs to London, but this damaged man had no real home, writes Peter Conrad

Flashboys: Cracking the Money Code review – Michael Lewis exposes the international money markets

A new breed of parasitic financial players has discovered a novel way of fleecing the global public many times over in the blink of an eye, writes Tim Adams

Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls review – recollections of a resolute outsider

A secretly gay child's memories are captured with exacting candour, writes Helen Zaltzman

Everland review – a compelling tale of lives stripped bare in Antarctica

The Antarctic gives up its secrets at a price in Rebecca Hunt's compelling tale of extreme endurance, writes Helen Dunmore

Trials of Passion: Crimes in the Name of Love and Madness review – convincing, enlightening

Lisa Appignanesi's study of crimes of passion blends scholarship with a seductive interest in what makes us human, writes Kate Colquhoun

Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid – a thankless commission

Val McDermid's reworking of Jane Austen's youthful gothic parody inspires in Robert McCrum a weary "so what?"

The Black-Eyed Blonde review – John Banville brings Philip Marlowe back to life

John Banville, using his crime-writing pseudonym, has produced an entertaining, note-perfect piece of literary ventriloquism, writes Alison Flood

Whistler: A Life for Art’s Sake – review

A vain and unpleasant man - but what pictures! Daniel Sutherland is dazzled by Whistler's work, and takes the artist at his own estimation. By Kathryn Hughes

The Motel Life review – ‘Heavy going, unformed and self-indulgent’

Alan and Gabe Polsky's film about two hobo brothers on the run labours with heroes who are neither sympathetic or interesting, writes Peter Bradshaw

Noah review – ‘A big, muscular movie’

Darren Aronofsky's roaring biblical action-adventure is buoyed by Russell Crowe's mighty Noah, but some of the story's simplicity is swept away, writes Peter Bradshaw