Author Archives: Charles Lambert

Grim reaper

Posted on December 15, 2007 by Charles Lambert

There’s a jolly piece by Andy McSmith in today’s Independent. Entitled Dancing on their graves and triggered by Tina Turner’s unsurprisingly cool response to her ex-husband’s demise, it casts an eye over some of the more memorably sour, if not … Continue reading →

Posted in death, good riddance, language | 2 Comments

A post for Tyla

Posted on December 14, 2007 by Charles Lambert

This is a post for Tyla, who’s depressed about the run-up to the US presidential elections. As you say, Tyla, “Just answer the question!” In the meantime, I’ll try to keep you amused with my potted accounts of why nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Leave a comment

Manu Chao: La Radiolina

Posted on December 14, 2007 by Charles Lambert

I love Manu Chao, and I love his new album, La Radiolina. If you love him too and you’d like to download one of the best tracks, take advantage of today’s Guardian offer and click here.

Posted in manu chao, music | 2 Comments

John Updike: Terrorist

Posted on December 13, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Incredibly, Terroristis the first Updike novel I’ve read (I know, I know…) and, on the heels of De Lillo’s disappointing Falling Man, with which it has several points in common, I found it a far better book. It takes on … Continue reading →

Posted in review, terrorism | 2 Comments

Chequebook politics

Posted on December 13, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Berlusconi’s famous for the lavish gift he bestows on friends, colleagues, employees, visiting heads of state. He’s fond of inscribed gold watches but anything flashy and expensive will do, so long as it encourages (or rewards) loyalty and impresses his … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, corruption, italy, politics, television | Leave a comment

Giuseppe Mallia: Fichi d’India

Posted on December 12, 2007 by Charles Lambert

This is hanging in the kitchen, by the fridge. The paint extends beyond the board onto the frame, reinforcing the immediacy of the picture and giving it an iconic authenticity, as though its meaning could not quite be contained. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in art, giuseppe mallia | 3 Comments

Books of the year

Posted on December 11, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Picador asked me to write something about the books I’ve most enjoyed this year. I did. You can read it here.

Posted in picador, review, writing | Leave a comment

The Scent of Cinnamon (again)

Posted on December 11, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Another small but perfectly-formed review of The Scent of Cinnamon, this time from the Oakland Tribune. You can read it here. It’s wonderful, as usual, to be mentioned in the same paragraph as Alice Munro, but I’m particularly pleased that … Continue reading →

Posted in review, the scent of cinnamon | 2 Comments

The Almost Corner Bookshop

Posted on December 10, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Once upon a time there was a bookshop in Rome called the Corner Bookshop. It still exists, but it’s moved slightly up from the river – wisely, as climatic things go – and is now the Almost Corner Bookshop. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in bookshops, little monsters, rome, writing | Leave a comment

Lest we forget…

Posted on December 9, 2007 by Charles Lambert

… the true meaning of Christmas. This authentic mooning elf, and other festive delights, including a rabbit nativity, Mother Teresa breath spray and the world’s grossest cooking tool, can all be found here.

Posted in christmas | 2 Comments