“The romantic mystique is a force for social conservatism”
We talk to philosopher Carrie Jenkins, author of "Sad Love", about why she believes we all have a duty to abandon the romantic myth and craft our own relationships.
Mind, Body & Life
Book review: The Newlyweds
In this portrait of romance in the New India, we meet couples who have broken age-old taboos to be together. Can love conquer all?
Laying claim to Christmas
Let's revel in the rich tradition of mid-winter festivities, celebrated long before they were sanitised by the Christians.
Why we need a radical approach to the countryside
The Romantic movement saw how political the countryside could be. Such an approach could help us confront the climate crisis.
Holiday? No thanks
Why do so many holiday-makers develop a sudden interest in churches and religious parades?
My final resting place
As an atheist, Laurie Taylor will not be joining the angels. But will a loophole grant him entrance to that mysterious place, Limbo?
A stranger in your own land
Two new books delve into the grief of migration and the longing for lost homelands.
The pull of our ancient ancestors
A tent city at Stanton Moor, a hugely popular British Museum show on Stonehenge ... Why are we seeking out our ancient ancestors?
What does a Jew look like?
Jews and other minorities are often portrayed using stereotyped imagery. Can we do things differently?
“People are back to comparing themselves with others”
We talk to happiness expert Paul Dolan about what we have (and haven't) learned from the pandemic, and why people tend to assume that single women are unhappy.