Mania by Lionel Shriver review – we need to talk about stupidity
The US author’s novel about a cancelled lecturer in a parallel dystopia that prizes ignorance is missing her usual verve
September 2022
Book of the day
Abominations by Lionel Shriver review – into battle with a culture warrior
You may disagree with the US author’s bracing journalism, but her right to spark disquiet goes to the heart of the freedom of expression issue
September 2021
To be truly British, the country needs to stay largely white. Really, Lionel Shriver?
Kenan Malik
‘The native-born are surrendering their territory,’ says the novelist. This is the language of the BNP
August 2021
Top 10s
Top 10 books about family life
From parents who meddle in their children’s relationships to ex-wives who loom over second marriages, families in fiction can be just as complicated as they are in real life
June 2021
Observer letters
Letters: the complexity of assisted dying
Determining who should have the right to an assisted death is a legal minefield; perhaps fiction can help
May 2021
Lionel Shriver: ‘A chosen death is an authorial act – I’ve never cared for stories that end on ellipses’
The author’s new novel centres around an elderly couple bound in a suicide pact. Watching her parents age, the subject of dying with dignity is never far from her mind
The best original photographs from the Observer
Original Observer photography
Director Barry Jenkins, the plight of Syria’s refugees, and the return of live music – the best photography commissioned by the Observer in May 2021
Books blog
Lionel Shriver v Cynthia Ozick: hurrah for the new literary beef
The books world was growing worryingly well-mannered, but Ozick’s response – in verse – to a bad review by Shriver has revived the fine art of feuding
April 2021
‘When I started, the heavens didn’t part’: Lionel Shriver on We Need to Talk About Kevin
The novelist’s career was in the doldrums when she began writing about a difficult boy and his ambiguous relationship with his mother
May 2020
The Motion of the Body Through Space by Lionel Shriver review – the cult of fitness
Books interview
Lionel Shriver: 'Some people think I'm evil incarnate'
April 2020
Women's prize at 25: what it is like to win by Zadie Smith, Naomi Alderman and more
Winning authors explain how the award changed their lives and share their favourite books by women
October 2019
‘A need for deep respect’: Anna Krien on fiction, war and cultural appropriation
The Australian journalist’s first novel goes into contentious territory, portraying women of colour and an Iraq war veteran
September 2019
Lionel Shriver returns to Australia and doubles down on 'fascistic' identity politics
Three years after controversial speech in Brisbane, US author denounces cultural ‘control’, ‘obedience’ and ‘conformism’
June 2018
'Wilful misreading': Lionel Shriver replies to critics in diversity row
We’re now confusing diversity and equality. Which is our priority?
Kenan Malik
Hanif Kureishi steps into row over Lionel Shriver's diversity comments
Steven Poole's word of the week
Does the word ‘diversity’ really only have one meaning?
Lionel Shriver dropped from prize judges over diversity comments
Lionel Shriver is wrong. Penguin’s push for diversity will translate into better books
