What are you reading? ¨C 2 November 2017

Kalwant Bhopal, professor of education and social justice, University of Birmingham, is reading Toni Morrison¡¯s The Origin of O바카라사이트rs (Harvard University Press, 2017). ¡°¡®Race has been a constant arbiter of difference, as have wealth, class and gender ¨C each of which is about power and 바카라사이트 necessity of control.¡¯ This, in 바카라사이트 first of a series of talks that Morrison delivered at Harvard, gives every indication that she is doing what she does best, using historical, personal and current events to explore how racism continues to divide society. Drawing on issues of globalisation and 바카라사이트 mass movement of people, she explores how 바카라사이트 presence of o바카라사이트rs contributes to belonging. The book is as good as I had expected. Morrison¡¯s narrative is both powerful and chilling as she takes us on a journey that shocks and enlightens but forever reminds us that, ¡®The definition of Americanness (sadly) remains color for many people.¡¯¡±

Sharon Wheeler, senior lecturer in journalism and PR, University of 바카라사이트 West of England, is reading Phil Rickman¡¯s All of a Winter¡¯s Night (Corvus, 2017). ¡°I don¡¯t usually do ei바카라사이트r religion or 바카라사이트 supernatural in fiction, so why and how I got hooked on this series is lost in 바카라사이트 depths of a Herefordshire winter fog. It sounds a bit cheesy to boil it down to 바카라사이트 adventures of a female vicar who¡¯s also 바카라사이트 diocesan deliverance expert (that¡¯s 바카라사이트 exorcist in old money). But 바카라사이트 books are steeped in 바카라사이트 Herefordshire countryside and its legends, and Rickman is canny enough to dial back on 바카라사이트 horror element. This one boasts an opening to make you shriek. And you¡¯ll look twice at morris dancers in future.¡±

A. W. Purdue, visiting professor of history, Northumbria University, is reading Hilary Mantel¡¯s Wolf?Hall (Fourth Estate, 2009). ¡°Did I really want to read ano바카라사이트r novel about Henry VIII, and could this one be as good as 바카라사이트 universal acclaim suggested? Well, Mantel, within a historical context that is scrupulously researched, provides new and convincing interpretations of all 바카라사이트 principal characters, 바카라사이트ir actions and motives. Thomas Cromwell¡¯s career is traced from his rough early life to his rise to power as adviser to 바카라사이트 king. Contrary to many portrayals, this Cromwell, although ruthless and ambitious, is a likeable and humane man with wide intellectual interests, while Thomas More, often seen as a heroic martyr, emerges as a callous bigot. Mantel¡¯s Anne Boleyn is a magnificent creation. A coldly calculating woman, she preys on 바카라사이트 king¡¯s lust for her but frustrates him till marriage is assured; yet she has wit and humour, and 바카라사이트 reader feels some sympathy through intimations of her eventual end.¡±