In search of Dieguito

He rose from the slums of Buenos Aires to become the world's greatest footballer - then spectacularly self-destructed. Now, from his Cuban hospital bed, Maradona has published a remarkably frank autobiography, serialised exclusively in the Guardian from tomorrow. Martin Amis reads between the lines.

Mulk Raj Anand

Obituary: The founding father of the Indo-English novel who championed the subcontinent's poor.

Françoise Sagan

Iconic writer of 1950s French intellectual chic whose life mirrored the indulgent world of her characters.

Spanish authors hit jackpot with good luck bible

They may come from a land famed for siestas and 'mañana' culture but two Spanish authors are teaching the world how to triumph in business with a fairytale story that has become an unlikely global publishing phenomenon.

Language barrier

Reluctant publishers, translation difficulties and tired preconceptions have all hampered the progress of Arabic literature in the west, says Brian Whitaker.