• LIFE

  Trip down memory lane

  Life, Tatat Bunnag, Published on 07/01/2022

  » At different degrees, we are all so familiar with Harry Potter's stories and the wonderful magical adventure that went on to become one of the most successful novel and cinematic franchises of all time. Still, it's hard to believe that it's 20 years since the first film came out, and most of the original fans of the series are now in their 30s and 40s. After the success of reunion specials that have aired recently, like the epic fantasy series Game Of Thrones or the 90s sitcom Friends, HBO has brought us another heartwarming special with Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return To Hogwarts, the highly anticipated retrospective special that is now streaming exclusively on HBO GO.

• LIFE

  Ravens' feast

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 27/12/2018

  » This reviewer's understanding of historical novels is that the authors do historical research on their topic, using actual figures and imaginary ones where need-be, to write essentially factual and hopefully interesting stories. But not all historical novelists follow this form. Some are more concerned about their own largely fictitious story than the actual events behind it.

• LIFE

  A master storyteller, heir to the greats and entirely sui generis

  Life, Published on 20/07/2018

  » In a famous Hindu parable, three blind men encounter an elephant for the first time and try to describe it, each touching a different part. "An elephant is like a snake," says one, grasping the trunk. "Nonsense; an elephant is a fan," says another, who holds an ear. "A tree trunk," insists a third, feeling his way around a leg.

• LIFE

  Play that funky music

  Life, Published on 02/08/2018

  » Clean Bandit, a British electronic music group, will inspire concertgoers to dance along during their Bangkok debut show at Centerpoint Studio, Sukhumvit 105 (Soi Lasalle), on Aug 22 at 8.30pm.

• LIFE

  The Shakespeare brothers

  Life, Published on 06/04/2018

  » Unlike many historical fiction writers, Brit Bernard Cornwell doesn't specialise in a particular period. Rather, his interests encompass virtually the lot. And when he chooses a popular age, it's because he finds something in his research that his colleagues have missed.

• LIFE

  A treaty for peace

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 23/11/2017

  » Following the two-decade-long Napoleonic Wars, Europe, not least France, licked its wounds and agreed "never again". Then they set about making a lasting peace. They felt able to do it. It was the Age of Reason and they were was intelligent as one could be in 1815.

• LIFE

  Renaissance history

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 14/07/2017

  » I am so conditioned when I pick up a new book about Italy that I expect it to be a historical novel about Ancient Rome. That period seems to fascinate historians and historical novelists. This reviewer finds it no more than somewhat interesting.

• LIFE

  The war went on

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 18/07/2016

  » One of the annoying things about wars is that they don't all end when they are supposed to. After Yorktown, the American Revolution dragged on for two years. The Battle of New Orleans in 1815 was fought after the War of 1812 was officially over.

• LIFE

  Police racism

  Life, Published on 20/04/2015

  » Racism is as old as recorded history, quite possibly older. My god is better than your god. My colour is better than your colour. Difference resulting in sanguinary wars without solution. The sensible live and let live is rejected out of hand by believers on all sides. Either the true path or death.

• LIFE

  A fond farewell

  Life, Bernard Trink, Published on 05/10/2015

  » 'The most brilliant mystery writer of our time" (Patricia Cornwell's estimation) passed away this year. British author Ruth Rendell published her first best-seller in 1964 and penned a thriller yearly ever since. She was the narrator, her characters having their say.

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