The Shape of Water (2017)

I'm a bit late to the game with this one, but at least I get to say "Yes, I know it won the Best Picture Oscar, but..." I haven't seen the other nominees, but I'm still finding it odd that this got the top honour. I mean, it's a good movie, and there are layers …

Life After Life – Kate Atkinson

"A fug of tobacco smoke and damp clammy air hit her as she entered the café." Ursula Todd is born and dies. Ursula Todd is born, and manages not to die, at least for a while longer. Again and again her life is reset, as she falls foul of accidents and illness. Eventually it seems as if …

How to be Both – Ali Smith

Ho this is a mighty twisting thing fast as a fish being pulled by its mouth on a hook... The words 'Award Winning' usually have me running for the hills - Oscar nominees are usually very good, very boring films, for instance! But somehow, the accolade of winning the Man Booker Prize this year brought …