British literature29 Nov 2025Sir Tom Stoppard: Witty and playful writer who took ideas seriouslyHe was an award-winning playwright whose works delighted generations.29 Nov 202521 Nov 2025The 400-year mystery of Shakespeare's wife and sonOscar-tipped new film Hamnet imagines the home life of William and Agnes Shakespeare – and the "soul-crushing" loss of their child. It's a powerful story that fills in many blanks.21 Nov 202511 Nov 2025The truth about Tudor England's 'most hated woman'Was 16th-Century aristocrat Jane Boleyn a treacherous, "sex-mad" spy – or was she a convenient scapegoat? A new historical thriller, Boleyn Traitor, explores her story.11 Nov 20259 Sep 2025'He is an awful man': Why we are wrong about DarcyMostly miserable and even "unforgivably cruel", Jane Austen's famous romantic hero is not what he seems, writes the author Sebastian Faulks, in an exclusive extract.9 Sep 20256 Mar 2025Why a poem outraged 1980s BritainForty years ago, Northern English poet Harrison published a powerful work inspired by vandalised gravestones in his hometown Leeds.6 Mar 20253 Mar 2025The cult space comedy that inspired Elon MuskIn 1986, the author talked to the BBC about The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the epic series of comic novels loved by tech executives.3 Mar 202530 Jan 2025Jane Austen's sister burned her letters – but why?Austen is one of the greatest writers in the English language – but relatively little is known about her. And that's in part because of an act that infuriates many to this day.30 Jan 202521 Jan 2025How to celebrate Jane Austen on her 250th birthdayAs travellers flock to the English countryside to celebrate the renowned novelist, we asked experts to weigh in on the best Austen-themed festivals, reenactments and balls of the year.21 Jan 202524 Dec 2024The 80s Christmas TV horror that terrified BritainFirst airing on Christmas Eve 1989, the original TV adaptation of Susan Hill's creepy novel The Woman in Black contains what some consider one of the greatest scares in screen history.24 Dec 2024...