The Lead Digest: Hamnet, Frankenstein and the war in Iran
Our round-up by The Lead’s team of what we’ve been reading, listening to, scrolling and watching each week.
Here at The Lead, we like to consume just as much as we create, which is why we spend a little time each week rounding up our favourite stories, books, podcasts and films we’ve been enjoying.
Ella recommends Max Daly’s latest article on the way those in power use drugs as “the perfect cover story to commit bad deeds and to persecute,” following Trump’s kidnapping of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro. It’s a must read.
Zoë went to watch Hamnet. She says: “Jessie Buckley deserves all the awards, and the film is incredibly beautifully shot. But the standout performances for me were from Jacobi Jupe and his older brother Noah, who played little Hamnet and Hamnet (the acted version) respectively. Just a wonderful film!”
Padraig is recommending the Rest Is History’s recent series on the Iranian revolution, which provides extremely useful context for people who want to understand what’s happening there now.
And Natalie is back from her honeymoon, with a tan, some jet lag and two book recommendations. The first is The Wedding People by Alison Espach – a delightfully easy, pacy romance set around a cliffside wedding with themes of infertility, friendship and finding purpose – and the characters were likeable enough to forgive some of the more unlikely plot devices.
Then in a total change of pace, she read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein for the first time, which surprised her for being just as much of a page-turner as her airport purchase. She can’t quite comprehend that Shelley was only 18 when she wrote it.
Watched, read or listened to something you think we’d like to feature? Drop ella@thelead.uk a line and we will consider for inclusion. And feel free to share this post to a friend or family member who you think needs some reading or listening inspiration!
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