An appreciation of physical craft ranges from surgery to flower-arrangement. But it doesn't untangle the way most of us actually work

Hermione Lee's new authorised biography of the playwright ruminates on the importance of mystery—and introspection

If the novelist had been more productive she would have had less fun

Olivette Otele's superb book traces the historical links between Africa and Europe

Plus meet Lin-Manuel Miranda's politicking father in Siempre, Luis

Libraries are essential reference points for ideas, facts and truth

Plus a sinister nudist colony and missing hammer propel the drama in Patrick

Industrialisation—and its delicine—have forged the psyche of the modern northerner

Ian Dunt offers a whirlwind tour of free-thinking

The pandemic has given fresh visibility to a long-term problem