Given that scripture is the sacred writing of a religion, it seems nonsensical to question its sacredness. But it can be asked what makes it sacred in the first place and whether it is worthy of being treated as sacrosanct, as something so important that it should not be interfered […]

A young German soldier, a deserter, makes his way to Berlin in April 1945 and finds a friendly face in the owner of a pub.   Sean Sheehan   This is the beginning of “Berlin finale”, a novel that first appeared in Germany in 1947 and was a bestseller before […]

In the beginning there was stone, the oldest material on earth. The launching of human culture is inseparable from the use of stone to make implements and this inaugural stage in our history probably provides a material link with pre-human species.   Sean Sheehan   The building of a dry […]

Sometimes you need a novel that you can engage with but not at the cost of hollowing out your soul with another dystopian post-it note. It’s a tall order but these three novels will get you more than halfway there.   Sean Sheehan    Joe Country is the sixth outing […]

Once upon a time there was a plethora of travel guide publishers and the traveller was spoilt for choice when considering what type of guide to squeeze into their luggage.    Sean Sheehan   Over the last decade or so, for obvious internet-related reasons, the situation has been transformed. Some […]