Tolkien, and the chronicles of modern despair

LIKE millions of youngsters, Simon Tolkien adored immersing himself in the hugely successful books “The Hobbit” and “The Lord Of The Rings”. The otherworldly wonders were a delight for a nine-year-old

It starts how all memorable fantasy books should start; with a good map to pore over. Upon opening Fate of the Fellowship’s weighty but not unwieldy box, and letting its rulebook slide upon the table

Tennyson’s embrace of science and catastrophe theory

Piecing together the inspirations and evolution of Mary Shelley’s famous monster

Actor, presenter and now author Larry Lamb reveals why the written word – particularly verse – has always meant so much to him

Best books… Richard Holmes The biographer chooses five ...