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We are all afraid that new dangers pose a threat to our hard-won freedoms, so what deserves attention is precisely the notion of freedom.The concept of freedom is deceptively simple. We think we understand it, but the moment we try and define it we encounter contradictions. In this new philosophical exploration, Slavoj Žižek argues that the experience of true, radical freedom is transient and fragile. Countering the idea of libertarian individualism, Žižek draws on philosophers Hegel, Kierkegaard and Heidegger, as well as the work of Kandinsky and Agatha Christie to examine the many facets of freedom and what we can learn from each of them.Today, with the latest advances in digital control, our social activity can be controlled and regulated to such a degree that the liberal notion of a free individual becomes obsolete and even meaningless. How will we be obliged to reinvent (or limit) the contours of our freedom?Tracing its connection to everything from capitalism and war to the state and environmental breakdown, Žižek takes us on an illuminating and entertaining journey that shows how a deeper understanding of freedom can offer hope in dark times.

Ousmane Sembene was one of the greatest, most groundbreaking filmmakers in the history of cinema, an acclaimed novelist, and the most renowned African director of the twentieth century. Black Girl was his brilliant, blistering debut. Released in 1966, it won the Prix Jean Vigo at the Cannes Film Festival that year. The film is about a young Senegalese woman, played powerfully by M’Bissine Thérese Diop, who moves to France to work for a wealthy white family as a nanny, but quickly discovers that life in their apartment is a prison, both figuratively and literally; but it is also a searing, nuanced critique of the lingering colonialism in the supposedly postcolonial world. Vlad Dima''s study of Black Girl argues that the film helped to map the future of African cinema. He situates it within its postcolonial context, considering its adaptation from the eponymous short story first published in 1962. He examines the performances of Mbissine Thérese Diop (Diouana), Anne-Marie Jelinek (Madame) and Robert Fontaine (Monsieur), considering the ways in which they embody or subvert postcolonial, French archetypes, and then goes on to examine the technical aspects of Sembene''s filmmaking, such as his innovative use of framing and aural composition. Finally, he traces the film''s lasting influence on African cinema, from Sembene’s own Xala (1975), to Safi Faye’s Mossane (1996), Joseph Gai Ramaka’s Karmen Gei (2001), Jean-Pierre Bekolo’s Saignantes (2005), and Mati Diop''s Atlantics (2019).

''This is a gorgeous book about some of the world’s most gorgeous birds.'' JARED DIAMONDSunbirds are among the most striking of all bird groups; their dazzling iridescent plumage and long curved bills are conspicuous when the birds visit garden flowers on sunny days to feed on nectar. Some species - especially the females - are duller in appearance and harder to spot, feeding mostly on insects high up in forest canopies. Spiderhunters, as their name suggests, feed extensively on spiders, while sunbirds'' other close relatives, the flowerpeckers, are especially partial to mistletoe berries.This book is the last word on sunbird identification, ecology and behaviour. Now in its second edition, it has been fully revised and updated to reflect the many developments that have occurred in sunbird taxonomy, as well as the new research that has been published on their biology. It covers all 218 currently recognised species, providing details of key identification features, voice, habitat, distribution, conservation status, movements, food and behaviour. New colour art by award-winning artist Richard Allen has been added, and hundreds of high-quality colour photographs beautifully capture every species. Maps accurately depict geographical distributions of each taxon to subspecies level.This beautiful book is the definitive reference to the sunbirds, flowerpeckers, spiderhunters and sugarbirds of the world, and is essential reading for researchers, birders and conservationists alike.

Wong Kar-wai''s In the Mood for Love (2000) is a film that luxuriates in the feeling of being in love – without ever turning into a love story. Its central characters, Mr Chow and Mrs Chan, are tenants in next-door apartments in Hong Kong who discover that their respective spouses are having an affair. As they try to make sense of their partners'' behaviour, they also struggle to control their growing feelings for each other. Hailed by the press as ''the consummate unconsummated love story of the new millennium'', this film about desire repressed has become a firmly established classic of the twenty-first century. In his sharp and revealing analysis of In the Mood for Love, Tony Rayns draws on his considerable expertise in East Asian cinema and on his proximity to Wong Kar-wai and his colleagues at production company Jet Tone during the film''s long and complicated genesis. He delivers a personal and highly original commentary on the film and its production, complete with insights into Wong''s idiosyncratic working methods and influences. He also places the film in the context of Wong''s other work, with sidelights on its place in Hong Kong cinema as a whole. This new edition features an afterword by the author, looking back on In the Mood for Love 25 years after its first release.

''[A] thrilling story... a must-read for 8+ year olds'' School Reading ListMeet ocean explorer Sandy Fin, silver-scaled diver of the deep, puzzler of puzzles and hero of a new hilarious middle grade series from Martin Stewart, illustrated by Santy GutierrezSandy Fin lives in the Museum of Seaside Stories with the famous explorer Emile du Pont and their collection of treasures. Sandy and his best friend Lily are being taught the art of ocean exploration by Emile, aided by his ingenious inventions.When the museum''s future is in peril, it is up to Sandy and Lily to save it. But then slippery Albo Start arrives with secret plans for sandy''s home and the town''s marine life.Sensing something sinister, Sandy and Lily set out to stop Start, armed with banana sandwiches, moonlit sneezes and noses for danger.

An illuminating account of urban botany in the British Isles – its ecology, history and cultural significance.The walls, pavements, lawns, parks, playing fields, verges and waste ground that make up the built environment of Britain and Ireland are home to an extraordinary array of plant species. Native and non-native species together find ways to endure in often harsh and uncompromising habitats. In Urban Plants, leading botanist Trevor Dines tells the stories of our urban flowers, ferns and conifers: how they arrived, how they survive, and how a select few seize the opportunity to become masters of the streets, thriving in the face of constant upheaval and change.We learn how our villages, towns and cities have changed over time – from Roman Britain to reconstruction after World War II – and the resulting geographical variation that exists in our flora today, such as London Rocket at the Tower of London or the newly evolved York Groundsel recently discovered in a railway station carpark. Trevor also looks to the future and the potential impacts of invasive species, herbicides and climate change, as well as the concept of urban rewilding.Illustrated with around 350 colour photographs, maps and diagrams, as well as text boxes exploring key species and habitats, this is a fascinating deep dive into the biology, ecology and cultural impact of the plants that set up home alongside us.

''Full of secrets, Cornwall, and wonderful detail.'' Katie Fforde''Gloriously rich and layered.'' Liz Fenwick''Characters to fall in love with.'' Jackie Morris Time has forgotten this remote corner of West Cornwall, and left its many secrets undisturbed. Until now...Ezra Curnow has lived in the little cottage on the Trengrose estate all his life. He was born there, as was hisfather, and his grandfather before that. It is his own little Cornish paradise. Then the mistress of the estate, Eliza, dies without leaving a will, putting the cottage’s ownership into question. London financier Toby and his wife Minty are soon enticed by Trengrose’s charm and, worse still, see a lucrative rental opportunity in Ezra’s cottage.But Ezra is prepared to battle to save his beloved home, and has a number of secret weapons in his armoury. What Ezra doesn’t know is that Eliza also took some secrets to her grave – and she doesn’t intend to rest quietly until they come to light...A sumptuous Cornish tale packed with heart, relationships and mysteries from the past, from the bestselling author of The Sea Gate.READERS LOVE SECRETS OF THE BEES:''Without a doubt my favourite book of the year so far.''''***** ''A gorgeous, compassionate and surprising novel.''*****''Great twists... I can''t praise this book enough. Read it''*****''I loved every bit of this book from start to finish.''*****''One of the best stories I have read in a while... heartwarming''*****''A lovely read... one to help you lose yourself for a while''*****

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2025 CRIME WRITERS'' ASSOCIATION HISTORICAL DAGGER AWARD!''Funny, fast-paced and dark... with dialogue that absolutely crackles’ ELODIE HARPER''A brave, bold novel'' ARAMINTA HALLIF YOU CAN’T MAKE THE RULES 1922. Eleanor Mackridge is staring down the barrel of two equally depressing life choices – serving the upper classes or finding a husband – when she crosses paths with the notorious all-female gang, the Forty Elephants. YOU MIGHT AS WELL BREAK THEM These are women who society would rather forget. They are bold and vulgar, they steal diamonds and fur, drink champagne and gin. They give young women ideas above their station – and Eleanor wants in. Now she has the chance to make sure that history remembers her. Because women don''t have to marry or serve to get ahead. They can steal. In Poor Girls, Clare Whitfield exposes the criminal underbelly of 1920s London – but this isn''t a morality tale, it''s an adventure for the willingly wicked.''Memorable, outrageous and full of heart. Loved it – every time I put it down I couldn’t wait to pick it up again.’ ELENI KYRIACOU''Wonderfully roguish characters, and great period detail. Really enjoyable.'' IAN MOORE''A richly vivid and picaresque masterwork, Poor Girls is by turns humorous, horrifying and humane.'' TOM MEAD''A compulsive read... A real page turner.'' CAITLIN DAVIESJoin the growing fans of the Forty Elephants…‘Clare Whitfield''s best book to date.’ Reader Review‘What a ride, this book is so much fun.’ Reader Review‘Will make you laugh but also shed a tear.’ Reader Review‘I highly recommend it to anyone drawn to tales of resilience, ambition, and rebellion.’ Reader Review‘Such a brilliant book, everyone should read it!’ Reader Review‘Glamorous and uncompromising.’ Reader review

SIX LIVESSix lives, connected through blood and history, each rooted in the dirt of their inheritance, look to the future, and what it might hold.THE GUANO MERCHANTIn 1855, Edward Feebes travels to the guano islands of South America to investigate an irregularity in the accounts of the House of Feebes & Co.MOMENTO MORIIn 1912, post-mortem photographer and reluctant blackmailer Annie Connolly plots her escape from Ireland to America on board the Titanic. THE COUNTRY HOUSE MURDERIn 1933, idealistic Edgar Waverley faces a choice of the heart when he becomes embroiled in a country house murder. THE SPYIn 1964, hapless KGB agent Vasily Sokolov makes his career conjuring valuable information from worthless detritus.ZABBALEENin 1987, actor Mariam Khouri looks back at Black Dirt, the movie that lifted her from the streets of Cairo. NEW YORKIn 2012, Isabelle Feebes attempts to break with her poisonous heritage once and for al. Can she forge a new life for herself in the New World? Can you ever truly escape your past?

A variously tragic tale of escapism and assimilation, Richard Bradford''s The Durrells explores the truth behind the image. The Durrells are probably the most celebrated literary family of the 20th century. Gerald turned them into celebrities with his tripartite memoir, beginning with My Family and Other Animals (1956) which told of his experiences with his widowed mother Louisa and three siblings during their time in 1930s Corfu. We know of the Durrells from their own writings and from the image of them created by TV, film and biographical accounts of specific figures. What we do not know is the truth. Using previously unpublished material from the Jersey Archive, Richard Bradford unravels the lives of the famous four children of the Corfu era – Larry, Gerry, Margo and Lesli – as they find themselves geographically and emotionally divided amongst a backdrop of imperial decline and unrest. The children of moneyed colonialists, they were already used to being treated with aghast fascination by the island’s locals, and by expatriate Britons as a disgrace to the homeland. Yet their story goes beyond the Ionian Sea, and The Durrells delves into the complex social and political circumstances in which the family lived, with seemingly constant threats of war and endangerment to both themselves and their natural environment.

''This is an absolute beauty of a book. I loved everything about it - the richness and depth of the characters; the poignant, intricately woven story and the beautiful descriptions of the house and island. It is a book that will stay with me for a very long time'' - Sally PageFrom the author of the ebook bestseller, The Bookshop Ladies, comes a brand new novel guaranteed to pull at your heartstrings as three women, all with secrets waiting to be uncovered, meet on a beautiful island off the Irish Coast.Constance Macken, in her ninth decade, is looking back on a life filled with laughter and loss, tragedy and triumph, but knows it is time to right the wrongs from her past that have always haunted her.Heather Banks arrives on the island to bury her mother. Already adrift with her business sold and her divorce finalised this may be the perfect opportunity to change the course of her future.Ros Stokes has managed to slip into the perfect job, the perfect cottage and friends that feel like family. However, when the stitches of her life begin to unravel, she must find a way to hold onto the things that have become most dear to her and let go of what holds her back.Now, in a faded art deco house near the ocean’s end, these women must come together to save the house they love, and each other, because they might have run from their troubles but only time will tell if they can overcome their past. ''Another brilliant novel by one of my favourite authors - prepare to get lost in this beautiful story, masterfully told'' - Amanda Prowse*** Readers LOVE The Women at Ocean''s End:''Simply perfection’ 5-star NetGalley review''A beautiful story which grabbed me right away... this was like a breath of fresh air'' 5-star NetGalley review‘Intriguing and poignant, charming and enthralling'' 5-star NetGalley review''Faith Hogan is an auto-buy author for me - I''ve loved everything she''s written and this is no exception... it may even be her best book yet!'' 5-star NetGalley review‘A truly touching read for anyone who enjoys deeply emotional stories set against a beautifully evocative backdrop'' 5-star NetGalley review

Spending long hours in her claustraphobic office cubicle, a customer service assistant is struggling. Isolated, frustrated and lonely, she finds comfort in only one thing: the office printer. As she confides in the printer about her hopes and dreams, her fears and her past, it becomes clear to her that he is listening. But to her employees, the blossoming relationship is a worrying cry for help.Diagnosed with burnout and placed on leave, she faces severance and – worse – separation from her beloved printer. But she''s not about to give up on her only friend without a fight. And, it turns out, neither is he.''A talented new voice worth paying attention to.'' Irish Times''Equal parts searing intelligence and madcap sweetness. Simply brilliant.'' Jenny Mustard‘Very funny on the tedium of office life.'' Irish Independent‘Intimate and surprising at every turn… A truly one-of-a-kind novel: I loved it.’ Sarah Maria GriffinThis novel has it all. It''s smart, captivating, poignant, absurd, moving, and terribly funny.’ Jente Posthuma

A TIMES BOOK OF THE MONTHNew York lawyer Nora Carleton faces her biggest case yet in this gripping legal thriller from the critically acclaimed author of Central Park West and former director of the FBI, James Comey.EVEN FREE SPEECH HAS ITS PRICE.Nora Carleton is back working as a federal prosecutor in New York, but her city is in turmoil. Extremism is on the rise, funded from the shadows and growing in momentum online, with one person in particular fanning the flames.Radio and podcast host Samuel Buchanan uses his platform to spread disinformation and incite violence – and his mission is succeeding, with disturbances, clashes, and hate crimes rising across the country.As the threat of a major attack grows, and a United Nations rally is targeted, it seems Nora is the only one who can stop the spread. She must successfully convince a jury that some speech should be treated as a crime – or see her country torn apart.A powerful novel about the realities facing modern America, perfect for fans of Grisham, Connelly and Coben.''Comey''s best book yet'' The TimesReviews for James Comey''Truly outstanding'' Harlan Coben''Vivid and compelling'' Ian Rankin''Reads like Grisham'' Daily Mail

A searing, inventive memoir that interrogates misogyny, heroism and women’s power in an often-unsafe world through the lens of Vicky’s Foster’s own traumatic background.How do you get close to people when the people close to you keep shattering your world?Vicky Foster thought she’d finally escaped violence when her abusive ex-partner was murdered. Vicky was 25. She tried to draw a line under the past and move on with her life. This meant overcoming PTSD, trusting people again, building her career and ultimately, learning to return to herself. But, 16 years later, the past came crashing down on her, when one of her ex-partner’s murderers hit the headlines. This time, as the ''hero'' of the 2019 London Bridge terrorist attack.Lyrical and raw, It Happened Like This is a book about misogyny in all its forms, about heroism and villainy, about class and the climate of neglect created by austerity, but most importantly it’s a book about women and their power, explored through the prism of Vicky’s story.

Kilkenny, 1939. Ireland might be neutral, but Kitty Flynn is caught in her own war. Forced to give up her child at seventeen, she escaped to London in search of a fresh start.However, in 1941, upon hearing that her brother, Anthony, who had been injured during the Spanish Civil War, is now gravely ill, Kitty must return home to care for him. In a time where food and medicine are scarce, Kitty is relieved to secure a nursing job – that is, until G2, the Irish Intelligence notices her proficiency in German…G2 are determined to use Kitty’s translation skills to extract information from the German internees at The Curragh Military Camp, even using Anthony as leverage.Before she knows it, Kitty finds herself in the treacherous world of espionage. And soon Kitty must decide: will she sacrifice herself to save her brother?Inspired by real life events Kitty''s War is the new sweeping historical novel by the bestselling author of Dublin''s Girl, Eimear Lawlor.***Readers LOVE Kitty''s War:''Wonderful and emotional... I never wanted to stop reading'' NetGalley review''Gorgeously written'' NetGalley review''Brilliant'' NetGalley review''Fascinating'' NetGalley review''This book had it all!'' NetGalley review

''A hugely enjoyable love letter to swimming and open water adventures'' – Sophie RaworthSports and Virgin Radio Breakfast Show presenter Vassos Alexander found solace and distraction swimming in the Thames during a difficult summer, and was bitten by the bug. Now he can''t pass a body of water without wanting to jump in.Told through the story of training for a solo Channel swim, Swimmingly takes you on a journey across the world from Bournemouth Beach to San Francisco Bay. Vassos discovers that outdoor swimming is not about being the fastest or the best, it''s about finding that little bit of magic in every stroke.Working with elite coaches and interviewing the great and the good of swimming, he uncovers the massive sense of community at the heart of this time-honoured pastime. He meets Olympic champions and Channel legends – including Diana Nyad, who in her 60s became the first person to swim between Cuba and Florida; Lewis Pugh, the UN Patron of the Oceans and Lynne Cox, a woman who went for a swim and saved the world.It''s about the everyday swims, too – the tips shared and friendships forged over coffee and cake after a morning dip with the Teddington Bluetits or the sea swimmers of Whitstable. With the sport exploding in popularity over recent years, we all know someone (or are that someone!) who swims outside throughout the year.Swimmingly will leave you with a renewed sense of connection to the world, and perhaps even inspire you to dive into your nearest lake, river or sea with gleeful abandon.