'The eight years he has spent in solitary confinement have had a devastating impact on his mental health ... human rights organisations believe his detention is punishment for his critical views.'

@lucyjpop on the Egyptian activist and poet Ahmed Douma.

https://literaryreview.co.uk/ahmed-douma

'We nipped down Mount Pleasant ... me marvelling at London all over again because the back of a Vespa gives you the everyday world like nothing else can.'

Ali Smith writes this month's diary.

https://literaryreview.co.uk/temple-of-vespa

We were saddened to hear of the recent passing of the novelist Elspeth Barker, a valued contributor to Literary Review over the years. (1/2)