I write from what I take to be the realist's point of view, looking at life as it really is - or the way I see it to be. Justin Cartwright lifepointrealist Change image and share on social
My brother and I were brought up sort of thinking that we were English. I remember hearing the poet Roy Campbell on the radio and being quite shocked that he had a South African accent. I didn't know there were any South African poets. Justin Cartwright accentafricanbring share on social
Not many people like Johannesburg, but I love the place. Justin Cartwright johannesburglovepeople Change image and share on social
In the new artisan coffee movement, Jeremy Challender, a 32-year-old Australian who is one of the founders of Prufrock Coffee, explains precision is everything for the barista. Jeremy is able to analyse his coffee with the benefit of an app on his phone. Justin Cartwright analyseappartisan share on social
The Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford is an astonishing building, designed by Christopher Wren. Its painted ceiling has just been restored so that the darkish miasma that was Robert Streeter's original allegory of truth and light striking the university is now bright with playful cherubs and lustrous clouds. Justin Cartwright allegoryastonishbuild share on social
For novelists, sharply drawn moral conflicts are often useful, and even human and personal disasters can be seen as material. Justin Cartwright conflictdisasterdraw Change image and share on social
As Eric Weitz argues, the Weimar Republic (1919-1933) was not responsible for the Reich; it was a democratic, socially aware and progressive government, way ahead of many other European governments in its introduction of workers' rights, public housing, unemployment benefit and suffrage for women. Justin Cartwright aheadargueaware share on social
DeLillo has said that he no longer feels a compulsion to write long, compendious books. In his later years, Saul Bellow said something similar. DeLillo, of course, has written very long in the past, notably with the 850-page Underworld (1997), and his story has been America. Justin Cartwright americabellowbook share on social
Strangely enough, the legend of John Brown, who was clearly crazy, helped the abolitionist cause and is thought to have precipitated the American Civil War. Justin Cartwright abolitionistamericanbrown Change image and share on social
My own interest in Kafka's letter came about when I was writing an article on Peter Ginz, the boy novelist held in Terezin, not far from Prague, and exterminated in Auschwitz by the Nazis. The Ginz family were from more or less the same milieu as the Kafkas. Justin Cartwright articleauschwitzboy share on social