‘Breeders’ is a new comedy by UEA graduate Ben Ockrent and opens this evening as part of the One Stage season at the St James Theatre in London. Directed by Tamara Harvey, the play stars Tamzin Outhwaite and Jemima Rooper and ill run until 4 October. Ben (pictured) graduated from the MA in Creative Writing […]
Archives for 2014
The Children Act by Ian McEwan
‘The Children Act’ is the thirteenth novel by UEA alumnus Ian McEwan and is published by Jonathan Cape today. Ian was the inaugural student on the UEA Creative Writing MA, graduating in 1971, and published his first collection of short stories, ‘First Love, Last Rites’, in 1975. His second novel ‘The Comfort of Strangers’ (1981) […]
After La Rochefoucauld
Denise Riley’s Forward Prize-nominated poem, plus a commentary by Jeremy Noel-Tod.
Children of the Androgynes
It reminded me that love almost never goes according to plan, even with the aid of witchcraft.
Pineapple Kit Kats
There was no real reason for Beth to be wearing gumboots. She simply liked the way it felt…
All Theory
She wakes up, which is new. It gives her a headache, to be honest. Turns out, when you don’t think thoughts for a few years, your thoughts begin to smell. She attempts to cover up the scent with candles, but her brain appears to be allergic to fire. When chunks of brain matter chip off, […]
Perfect Stranger
As she walked in, she caught the eye of a man seated at a table with his wife and two children. His gaze lingered before he forced his eyes back to his meal, then back to his wife. He would look again. The maître d’ had not seen her before. ‘Bonjour Mademoiselle.’ ‘Hello,’ she said. […]
Wedding Day
You always rattle your nails up and down the dash when we’re driving. Lining the grooves with your finger, always having to feel your way around. Your momma said you was always grabby, pulling at things, poking, feeling. Gots to get your fingerprints all over it all, she said. Incriminating, she said. Doing hard time […]
Tankie’s Terrors and The Slug Gun Competition
Francis David Watson, get back inside this house now!” The neighbours chuckled at one another as the shout rang throughout the street, well used to it after so many years. “Bugger it,” Tankie said, tearing up the street and letting the rusty gate smack back into its frame, cursing his Mam’s use of his full […]
Stars
It’s summer time. The car is stuffy and the smell of hot engine makes me feel sick. I ask Ben if I can open the window. “Sure,” he says. He turns the key in the ignition and the window slides down. A breeze blows into the car, cool and sweet, but my nausea doesn’t go […]