Katharine Quarmby Q&A: ‘I’m interested in groups on the margins’
The investigative journalist and author of a study of Gypsy and Traveller communities tells Killian Fox why she was drawn to their lives, history and culture
Pinter would be chuffed that Tom Stoppard won the PEN prize
Tom Stoppard's fierce, unrelenting opposition to the abuse of human rights makes him the ideal recipient of the Pinter/PEN prize, writes Michael Billington
Translation of Giacomo Leopardi’s Zibaldone published
Italians consider him one of their greatest minds, but 19th-century poet and philosopher remains somewhat unknown
The New Middle East by Paul Danahar, The Muslim Brotherhood by Carrie Rosefsky Wickham – review
People are no longer afraid to issue their demands – violently if necessary, writes Christopher de Bellaigue
Edward Snowden’s study guide to Russian literature
Alan Yuhas: As Snowden contemplates staying in Russia, his lawyer advises him to read Dostoevsky and Chekhov
Kim Philby, the Observer connection and the establishment world of spies
Fifty years after Kim Philby fled to Moscow while working for the Observer, new light is being shed on the links that united a clubland elite with a taste for secret service adventures
A Long Walk Home by Judith Tebbutt – review
A British woman kidnapped by Somali pirates has turned the experience into a powerful memoir, writes Anita Sethi
The nun who became a mum
Joanna Moorhead: When she entered a convent, Eleanor Stewart was ready to dedicate her life to God. But working as a midwife, she realised her true vocation lay elsewhere – as a mother
JK Rowling’s crime novel at centre of bidding war for film rights
Several Hollywood studios seeking to buy The Cuckoo's Calling after 'Robert Galbraith' revealed to be Harry Potter author
Natalie Portman to move into directing with of A Tale of Love and Darkness
Black Swan actor will fly to Israel in September to begin work on film of Amos Oz's bestselling novel about his early years
Six feminist alternatives to Jane Austen for a Bank of England note
Belinda Webb: The choice of the author to represent women on the £10 note is a safe and bland option, compared to Boudicca or Mary Seacole
Edward Snowden’s Russian reading list
The NSA whistleblower's lawyer says it's a good way to learn about the country's way of life. Really?
Gwyneth Paltrow and Ewan McGregor join Johnny Depp on Mortdecai
Andrew Pulver: New cast members announced for upcoming Depp film, a comic crime thriller based on books by Kyril Bonfiglioli
The children’s book offering hope for the displaced children of Syria
Mirren Gidda: British-based Samah Zaitoun's Far From Home intended to help explain to Syrian children living in camps why they can't go home yet
Venice film festival lineup sees Gilliam and Glazer back in from the cold
Xan Brooks: The 2013 edition of the Venice film festival also finds room for James Franco, Hayao Miyazaki and Paul Schrader's controversial The Canyons, starring Lindsay Lohan