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
This Oscar Pistorius business is interesting. There is this cult of carrying lots of guns and being ready to shoot somebody. There were people I knew had guns and carried them openly around Johannesburg. It is frowned on now to carry a gun, but Pistorius and co. got away with it. Justin Cartwright businesscarrycult share on social
Nicola Barker is both prodigiously talented and admirably fearless. I have loved her books. But for some time, I had little or no idea what the point of the story of Sri Ramakrishna was. In fact, he was one of the outstanding men of 19th-century India. Justin Cartwright 19thadmirablybarker share on social
The Bodleian Library, next to the Sheldonian, is one of the great libraries of the world. As well as holding most of the books printed in England since the first quarter of the 17th century, it houses priceless printed texts, manuscripts, and collections. Justin Cartwright 17thbodleianbook share on social
The great thing about the public is that they're quite capable of believing two absolutely contrary views at the same time. Justin Cartwright absolutelybelievecapable Change image and share on social
In his later years, Ramakrishna took up residence at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, from where his radiance extended far, even beyond his death in 1886. Justin Cartwright dakshineswardeathextend Change image and share on social
It is surprising how many people who don't read believe they have a book in them. Why? Nobody would imagine that Alfred Brendel took up the piano on a whim at 25 when he found accountancy unpleasant. Justin Cartwright accountancyalfredbook Change image and share on social
The ANC was the product of a much earlier South Africa, a gradualist and non-tribal multi-racial organisation, driven to violence by the intransigence of the Afrikaner Nationalist Government, obsessed with improbable ideas of revolution. Justin Cartwright africaafrikaneranc share on social
Consciousness - that, to me, is the theme of the modern novel. Justin Cartwright consciousnessmoderntheme Change image and share on social
'Homer and Langley' is the work of E. L. Doctorow's old age. There are fewer Homeric references than you might have expected, given that the narrator is called Homer Collyer and is blind, although, like the classical Homer, not born blind. Justin Cartwright agebearblind share on social
