Bulgakov classic to enthral Russia

The streets are expected to be deserted tonight at 8.55 when millions switch on their televisions for the first Russian screen adaptation of The Master and Margarita, a surreal 1930s novel that features a gun-slinging cat and the devil as a magician.

In praise of… Orhan Pamuk

Leader: The case of Orhan Pamuk is a sharp reminder that laws designed to protect the Turkish state against the citizen and suppress freedom of thought or expression have no place in a modern society.

Benjamin DeMott

American cultural commentator with everyone's icons in his firing line.

Leave the lion alone

Zoe Williams: The hollow criticism of the Narnia books' biblical subtext smacks of mindless offence-seeking.

Stan Berenstain

Obituary: The American writer and illustrator, and co-creator of the Berenstain Bear children's books has died aged 82.

Pinter demands war crimes trial for Blair

The Nobel prize-winning playwright Harold Pinter has called for Tony Blair to be tried for war crimes, in his acceptance speech to the Nobel committee. The 5,000-word speech excoriates the US government over Guantánamo Bay and its attempts to destabilise … Continue reading →