Books

Blind man with sharp vision

Stoddard Martin is impressed by a fictional foray into classical territory.

Three unlikeable characters, many irresistible twists

Jennifer Lipman likes a thrilling threesome

Spectacular example of a killing in the name of God

Ahron Bregman reflects on a man who murdered peace

The indispensable idealist

Vernon Bogdanor enjoys the first slice of a big biography.

The book reviews review 2015

Critical mass: another year of rich and varied literary pickings reveals a range of responses from JC reviewers from (frequently) delight to (occasionally) disappointment, but always constructive

Secret knowledge of Dead Sea Zodiacs

No more apprentices. The robots are coming for your jobs...

Review: Proust: The Search

Proust minus the style

Women of skill reveal women of character

These absorbing and enjoyable books have much in common.