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Author Alexander McCall Smith: 'At 16 I took myself terrifically seriously. And no one else did'
Alexander McCall Smith
Letter To My Younger Self

Author Alexander McCall Smith: 'At 16 I took myself terrifically seriously. And no one else did'

Nero was emperor of Rome at just 16. Which of us would have done better?
Nero
Roman Empire

Nero was emperor of Rome at just 16. Which of us would have done better?

MP Liam Fox on the 21st century battle for water and why we must be careful about strawberries
The Coming Storm - water. Illustration: Big Issue
Environment

MP Liam Fox on the 21st century battle for water and why we must be careful about strawberries

Question 7 by Richard Flanagan review – this literary quest is a transformative experience
Question 7 by Richard Flanagan
Books

Question 7 by Richard Flanagan review – this literary quest is a transformative experience

Historian Darrin M McMahon on why we need to rethink equality for the modern age
Books

Historian Darrin M McMahon on why we need to rethink equality for the modern age

Prospect Cottage: See inside artist Derek Jarman's seaside home for the first time
Photography

Prospect Cottage: See inside artist Derek Jarman's seaside home for the first time

Top 5 books about the Troubles, chosen by bestselling author Henry Hemming 
Books

Top 5 books about the Troubles, chosen by bestselling author Henry Hemming 

Cocktails with George and Martha by Philip Gefter review – art imitating life in a war of egos  
Books

Cocktails with George and Martha by Philip Gefter review – art imitating life in a war of egos  

Top 5 inventive, speculative fiction books – chosen by poet and playwright Joelle Taylor
Books

Top 5 inventive, speculative fiction books – chosen by poet and playwright Joelle Taylor

I wouldn't exist if not for a gruesome mass murder in 1905 – we owe our lives to chance and chaos
Books

I wouldn't exist if not for a gruesome mass murder in 1905 – we owe our lives to chance and chaos

Where have all the rural voices gone from English fiction?
Books

Where have all the rural voices gone from English fiction?

Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel review – a depth of feeling like a punch to the guts
Books

Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel review – a depth of feeling like a punch to the guts

Clear by Carys Davies review – a wonderful, poetic reminder that no man is an island
Books

Clear by Carys Davies review – a wonderful, poetic reminder that no man is an island

Why walking is such a great way to see, sense and stake a claim in the world
Books

Why walking is such a great way to see, sense and stake a claim in the world

The Blues Brothers by Daniel de Visé review – behind the scenes of a musical comedy classic
Books

The Blues Brothers by Daniel de Visé review – behind the scenes of a musical comedy classic

Top 5 books inspired by folklore, chosen by Scottish novelist LA MacRae
Books

Top 5 books inspired by folklore, chosen by Scottish novelist LA MacRae

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Pulp's This Is Hardcore (33 1/3) by Jane Savidge review – warmth, candour and insight
Books

Pulp's This Is Hardcore (33 1/3) by Jane Savidge review – warmth, candour and insight

Did you know the Irish language has at least 20 words for 'hole'?
Language

Did you know the Irish language has at least 20 words for 'hole'?

To the Salvation Army, I am now a porn purchaser – but it was a case of mistaken identity
Robin Ince

To the Salvation Army, I am now a porn purchaser – but it was a case of mistaken identity

Family Politics by John O'Farrell review – a plea to engage with those whose views we abhor
Books

Family Politics by John O'Farrell review – a plea to engage with those whose views we abhor

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