Ausatralian fiction has developed a power that reverses the cultural cringe

The ever-abundant Joyce Carol Oates continues to create fresh shocks - too many

Cicely Saunders, founder of the hospice movement, has dedicated her life to preparing people for death. Kate Kellaway has a chat with her about the best way to go

The jury's out

Which poet grieved most selflessly for the death of his wife? John Milton, Thomas Hardy, Douglas Dunn or Ted Hughes?

What drives me crazy

As Ariel Sharon is elected, Amos Oz publishes his new verse novel in Britain. Inside its ordinary domestic setting lies a plea for quiet in Israel

Does an unhappy childhood make for a good autobiography?

Look at your shoes

Poetry is flourishing, but how much of it is really good? Very little judging by my postbag as the Observer's poetry reader