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The LeadSéamas O'Reilly's debut novel "Prestige Drama" presents a brilliant wry comedy set in Derry, where a Hollywood actor disappears while filming a TV series about the Troubles. The novel transcends its intriguing premise to explore how places become defined by historical moments, and how stories about such places often fall into predictable formulas.Multiple Perspectives on Historical TraumaO'Reilly uses the TV series "Dead City" as a starting point to weave through different characters connected to the production. From a stressed scriptwriter to a local historian questioning how to talk about the past while still living it, the novel creates a patchwork portrait of the city. This approach echoes Tommy Orange's "There, There," which used multiple voices to explore Native American lives. Each character speaks directly to the reader, revealing their complex relationship with Derry's history and the Hollywood production that has descended upon the city.Commodification of MemoryThe novel masterfully examines how historical trauma becomes marketable. O'Reilly has a keen eye for absurdities: the artist who once painted Bogside murals now doing lecture tours with a "wee moustache and crucifix earring like a plastic Provo"; the ex-IRA hitman offering services as a "consultant." Those once bound by silence now demonstrate how to make a bottle bomb for the cameras. The locals, facing economic necessity, take work that perpetuates clichés—local painters recreate old murals for film sets, while aspiring actors see the production as their only chance to escape.The Haunting of HistoryThis recreation and commodification of the past creates a kind of haunting. The novel is permeated by different ways in which the dead remain inescapable. Ann-Marie, whose son was shot by a British soldier and whose image now appears on book covers and "bloody tea-towels," delivers one of the novel's most powerful voices: "My heart is small and hard, wind-bleached like seaside beach seats." Her reflection on those who came home safely after her son was killed—"It wasn't their fault and I'll never forgive them"—captures the unfixable contradictions of grief.A New Voice in Irish LiteratureBuilding on his previous memoir "Did Ye Hear Mammy Died?"—described as "heartbreakingly funny"—O'Reilly demonstrates a rare gift for moving between opposing tones. The humor in "Prestige Drama" is skillfully weaponized, allowing him to address subjects we often tiptoe around. His language is gloriously vivid, as when a hungover man wakes up "slowly, like a column of dog food muscling its way out of a tin." While some readers may wish the missing actor thread had more prominence, the novel's true focus is on the ordinary people behind the televised version of events, offering a polyphonic exploration of how history continues to shape the present.

Leïla Slimani’s Madrid Residency: Finding Light in Goya’s DarknessFrench-Moroccan author Leïla Slimani is currently in Madrid, utilizing the Museo del Prado as a sanctuary for her next literary work. Her deep dive into Francisco Goya’s Black Paintings reveals a writer obsessed with the darkness of the human condition.The Residency and the Black PaintingsSlimani is participating in Writing the Prado, a residency inviting international authors to produce new work inspired by the museum. She is particularly drawn to Goya’s later works, which depict violence, fate, and societal disillusionment. Slimani explains that Goya painted the future, seeing things others did not, and that his bleak outlook resonates with her own preoccupations.Location: Museo del Prado, MadridResidency: Writing the PradoPrimary Inspiration: Goya’s Black Paintings (e.g., Saturn Devouring His Son)The Cultural Impact of Literary PrestigeWhile the article focuses on a residency, Slimani’s career trajectory highlights the immense cultural capital of literary recognition. Her success is not just personal but systemic.Award: First Moroccan woman to win the Prix Goncourt (2016) for Lullaby.Role: Appointed by President Emmanuel Macron as a representative for promoting French language and Francophone culture.Her presence in Madrid as a cultural ambassador demonstrates how high-profile authors bridge the gap between national identity and global literature.The Intersection of Trauma and Artistic ExpressionSlimani’s work is driven by a formative family trauma: the arrest and imprisonment of her father on financial charges. She describes her early impulse to write as driven by anger and a desire for revenge.“Literature is probably the best way to give justice back to people who are not understood or listened to,” she says. Her ability to transform personal pain into universal empathy—allowing readers to feel tenderness for characters they might reject in real life—defines her impact on modern literature.The Future of Cross-Cultural Literary InspirationSlimani is currently working on a new project inspired by the Prado, signaling a continued evolution in her style. Her upcoming work, I’ll Take the Fire, focuses on her family history, suggesting that her future writing will continue to explore the tension between nostalgia and the necessity of moving forward.As she navigates the complexities of being a French-Moroccan writer, Slimani’s journey suggests a future where literature will increasingly serve as a tool for deconstructing rigid cultural identities and embracing the contradictions of the human experience.

The Enduring Legacy of Doonesbury Garry Trudeau's Doonesbury cartoons have been a staple of American satire for 56 years, offering a unique perspective on the country's evolution. Unlike other popular cartoons, Doonesbury characters age, evolve, and even die, providing a realistic and relatable portrayal of American life. The Man Behind the Cartoons Garry Trudeau, the creator of Doonesbury, is a reclusive figure who has given only a handful of interviews over the past six decades. Despite this, his work has had a profound impact on American culture, earning him a Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning. The Biographer's Challenge Joshua Kendall, author of 'Trudeau & Doonesbury: The Cartoonist Who Turned the News into Art,' faced significant challenges in writing about Trudeau's life. With Trudeau's reputation for being elusive, Kendall had to rely on interviews with friends, colleagues, and archival documents to piece together the cartoonist's story. Trudeau's Formative Years Trudeau's life was marked by both privilege and trauma. Growing up in Saranac Lake, New York, a company town founded by his family, Trudeau experienced a childhood that was both idyllic and isolating. The sudden departure of his mother when he was 10 years old had a profound impact on his life, shaping his perspective and informing his art. The Power of Art Trudeau found solace in art, particularly cartoons, during his formative years. His experiences at Yale University, where he developed his skills as a cartoonist, laid the groundwork for his future success. Kendall's biography offers a fascinating glimpse into Trudeau's creative process and the ways in which his art has reflected and influenced American culture.

The Tactical Battle of Fitness: PSG's Fresh Legs vs. Arsenal's FatigueOn the surface, the statistics suggest a level playing field. Both Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain have played 62 matches since the start of last June, with the final in Budapest set to be the 63rd game for Arsenal and the 56th for PSG. However, a closer examination of the calendar reveals a stark disparity in player conditioning. The difference lies not in the total number of games, but in the timing of those fixtures and the management of squad depth.The Club World Cup Schedule TrapThe root of PSG's advantage can be traced back to last summer's expanded Club World Cup. While Arsenal enjoyed a proper rest period, PSG were thrust into a grueling tournament in the United States, reaching the final in sweltering heat. Crucially, this competition began only 14 days after they had beaten Inter Milan in the Champions League final. This lack of recovery time forced a domino effect that has plagued their rivals.Immediate Return: PSG faced the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham just one month after the Club World Cup ended.Ligue 1 Start: Their defense of the Ligue 1 title began mere days after the Super Cup.Rival Impact: The schedule was so demanding that it contributed to Chelsea's poor start to the season, with players like Cole Palmer struggling so much they missed the World Cup.Rotation Metrics and Minutes PlayedLuis Enrique has utilized PSG's dominance in Ligue 1 to manage his squad's workload, a strategy that has paid dividends in Europe. Unlike Arsenal, who have played more matches than any other team in the top five leagues due to deep runs in the League Cup and FA Cup, PSG have rested their key assets heavily at home.Ousmane Dembélé started just 11 of 34 Ligue 1 games.Nuno Mendes and Fabián Ruiz made 13 starts each.Khvicha Kvaratskhelia started 18 games.Désiré Doué and Achraf Hakimi started 16 games.Marquinhos started just 11 games.Notably, none of these star players have played even half of their team's minutes in Ligue 1 this season, indicating a deliberate policy of preservation.How Squad Depth Dictates European SuccessThe impact of this management is evident in the physical state of the squads. PSG's core players have been saved for the Champions League, with Mendes and Marquinhos actually playing more minutes in the UCL than in Ligue 1 this season. Injuries have been minimal, with stars missing games primarily due to rotation rather than physical breakdown.In contrast, Arsenal's season has been defined by the trauma of past failures and a reluctance to rotate. Mikel Arteta's desire to secure the Premier League title meant he played his strongest XI as often as possible, leading to a grueling final stretch where even a 1-0 win over Burnley felt like a mountainous task. This lack of rotation has left Arsenal's squad potentially more susceptible to fatigue.The Verdict on the FinalWhile Arsenal have shown immense resilience to reach the final, the data suggests that PSG enters the match with a distinct physical advantage. By leveraging their domestic superiority to rest their stars, Luis Enrique has curated a squad that is primed for the final sprint. The fresh legs of Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia, and the rest of the PSG attack could prove to be the decisive factor in Budapest.

Israel's Mental Health Crisis: Trauma and Societal TransformationAfter more than two years of relentless bombardment and war – from Israel's operations in Gaza and the Hamas-led assault on southern villages in October 2023 that preceded it, to the country's successive wars and strikes on Iran, Lebanon, Syria and other neighbouring states – analysts, observers, and numerous studies from within Israel have concluded that the country has become moulded by trauma.A recent survey by Maccabi Healthcare Services found that about one-third of Israelis believe they need professional mental health support. Among those who have served in the army, as either conscripts or reservists, the picture is even starker.Rising PTSD Cases and Mental Health EmergenciesIn January, Israel's Defence Ministry reported a near-40 percent rise in the number of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cases among its soldiers since September 2023, with a 180 percent increase expected by 2028. The government has not published the number of soldiers discharged due to mental health over the same period, despite a legal obligation to do so, Israeli media has reported.Earlier this month, Magen David Adom, Israel's paramedic service, launched a dedicated mental health emergency service after registering a 45 percent spike in the number of calls it was receiving. The majority, it said, were linked to the continued strain of the country's multiple wars.The Statistical Surge in Mental Health IndicatorsThe number of suicides, a key indicator of mental health, has sharply increased across society as a whole, but particularly among the military, with 78 percent of military suicides in 2024 linked to combat operations in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and Lebanon, The Jerusalem Post reported in February.Incidents of domestic violence, as well as mental health conditions such as depression and stress, have all spiked since what many in the country regard as its endless series of wars began in October 2023, as well.Societal Brutalization and Political ShiftsIsrael's President, Isaac Herzog, appeared to acknowledge the trend in late May, referring to the increase in violence across Israeli society itself, including that perpetrated by rampaging Israelis from illegal settlements against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, and the spike in violence targeting Christians.Speaking at an awards ceremony, he said, "I wish I could speak today only about unity. But to my great sorrow, we are living through days in which violence is not the only thing rearing its head. Alongside it, at the margins of our magnificent Israeli society, a terrible process is creeping in – a terrible process of brutalisation. It is a slow and disturbing process, one that threatens to enter the mainstream of Israeli society, and we will not allow it.""October 7 was like a switch, and the trauma it caused is widespread and ongoing," Tuly Flint, an Israeli mental health practitioner and combat veteran, told Al Jazeera. "People's sense of security was shattered," he said, arguing that the gap between past conflicts and the present ones had created a false sense of safety, alongside misplaced confidence in Israel's military and technological superiority."People have lost confidence in their society, government and institutions," Flint said, describing the sense of institutional betrayal among those who relied on the state for protection, or the moral injury experienced by those who lived through the consequences of its failure to do so. "In some cases, this has led people to embrace right-wing politics, adopt a more forceful response to perceived threats, and lose trust in government," he added.Trauma's Long-Term Implications for Israel's FutureHowever, the degree to which these trends began on October 7, 2023, is unclear, analysts and observers say. Violence has been intrinsic to Israel since its founding in 1948, analysts, such as the noted Israeli sociologist Yehouda Shenhav-Shahrabani, told Al Jazeera, with the events following October 7 merely giving new impetus to existing currents."October 7 was like a new beginning," Shenhav-Shahrabani said. "People create beginnings to erase the trauma of the past. Giving trauma a start date helps explain it."Recounting a conversation he had with his friend, the late Lebanese novelist, Elias Khoury, who had described to him his idea that Israelis need to experience defeat to become "more human" and less hubristic, Shenhav-Shahrabani said, "I'm not sure that's happened. October 7 was a defeat, and since then, Israelis have become even more fascist."There was always a fascist element to zionism, but more liberal strands, such as kibbutzim, obscured it. However, since October 7, it's become more apparent. You can see it everywhere," Shenhav-Shahrabani, who has given up teaching in response to endless criticism from a growing number of right-wing students, said.How its current trauma will shape Israel going forward is unclear, Zahava Solomon, a professor at Tel Aviv University who has researched the phenomenon for the past 40 years, said.Trauma can motivate a society to be strong and aggressive, or to always seek negotiation, she said. For Israel, the past trauma of the Holocaust has, she said, instilled in society an absolute sense of victimhood, one imprinted upon its citizens from the cradle and for whom the mantra of "never again" has become second nature.As for the Palestinians, who have experienced their own victimhood, this carries "dire consequences" for the future.For Flint, however, still on the front line of managing the fallout from the wars' collective trauma, "There's no cure"."There's just recovery. Once people have crossed that threshold, that's it."

The LeadSam Campbell's new Channel 4 mockumentary, Make That Movie, has been crowned the funniest TV show of the year. The series, which follows a former big-shot director helping ordinary people create bizarre, low-budget films, is a chaotic celebration of 'outsider art' and unhinged creativity.The Surreal Premise of 'Make That Movie'At the heart of the show is a high-concept premise that defies logic. Campbell plays a version of himself who was once a successful director but now spends his time driving around in a van with a giant model film camera on top. His mission is to help people in need by producing bizarre low-budget productions based on their outlandish ideas.Snake Transformation Thriller: A Da Vinci Code-style story where a couple changes into snakes (but not simultaneously).Cyber-Thriller for Pensioners: A Lawnmower Man-style plot where seniors physically enter computers by singing songs and inserting USB cables into their mouths.Animated Feet: A project designed to cheer up a couple trapped in a cave.A Refreshing Pivot from Trauma to AbsurdityThe show arrives at a critical cultural moment. The review highlights a 'decade-long tailspin' where television was dominated by trauma-focused narratives. Had *Make That Movie* been attempted a few years ago, executives would likely have forced a subplot about dissociating from an abusive childhood. Instead, the show offers pure, unadulterated silliness.Celebrating the 'Outsider Art' of Bad CinemaSam Campbell is described as having an 'alien' quality, a stark contrast to the typical 'everyman' comedian. His stock in trade is looking like a frozen Paul McCartney, and this unique persona drives the show's success. By worshipping films like Birdemic: Shock and Terror, Campbell validates 'bad' cinema as a form of glorious outsider art.The Future of Sam Campbell's Comedy EmpireWhile the format is packed with content—23 minutes to meet characters, hear ideas, and watch the finished product—the sprinting pace is by design. The review suggests that nothing will kill the show faster than lapsing into formula. As long as Campbell and his uncomprehending face remain fixtures on television, the show is poised to become a lasting cult classic.

The Shift in Eid TraditionsTraditionally, Eid al-Fitr in Lebanon is a vibrant celebration featuring family gatherings, elaborate feasts, and visits to mosques. However, the current geopolitical climate has forced a drastic pivot. Instead of traditional prayers in open spaces, many worshippers are gathering in underground shelters or makeshift prayer rooms to avoid aerial threats. The customary visits to relatives have been replaced by a focus on immediate family units, often confined to a single room due to the destruction of homes.The Human Cost of CelebrationThe economic and physical toll of the war has stripped the holiday of its festive elements. The traditional "Eid breakfast" or "Eid lunch" has been reduced to rationed meals, with many unable to afford the usual abundance. Furthermore, the displacement of millions has meant that Eid is no longer a time of return to one's roots, but a moment of uncertainty regarding where one will sleep that night. The joy of the holiday is overshadowed by the collective trauma of the population.Resilience Amidst AdversityDespite the grim circumstances, the Lebanese people continue to observe the religious significance of Eid. The spirit of the holiday has shifted from hedonism to solidarity. Communities are finding ways to maintain a sense of normalcy, often through digital connections or small, private acts of charity. The war has not erased the holiday, but it has forced a maturation of the cultural experience, prioritizing spiritual connection over material celebration.

Immediate Fallout: Children Killed as Eid Joy Turns to FearOn the day of Eid al-Fitr, Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip led to the deaths of several children, according to local reports. The strikes, which coincided with the Muslim holiday, have transformed what should have been a time of celebration into a period of collective grief and heightened anxiety for families across the enclave.Details of the Recent Gaza StrikesThe attacks were part of a broader Israeli campaign aimed at targeting militant infrastructure. While the official Israeli statement emphasized the pursuit of security objectives, eyewitness accounts from Gaza describe residential areas being hit, resulting in civilian casualties, including minors.Available Data on Casualties and DamageCurrent public information confirms the loss of child lives but does not provide a comprehensive casualty count for the day's operations. Health officials in Gaza have called for independent verification of the figures, highlighting the difficulty of obtaining accurate data amid ongoing hostilities.Broader Implications for the Gaza Humanitarian SituationThe incident underscores the fragile humanitarian environment in Gaza, where civilian populations already face severe shortages of water, electricity, and medical supplies. The timing of the strikes during a major religious holiday amplifies the psychological trauma and may influence international diplomatic pressure on the parties involved.Potential Trajectory: International Response and Future Ceasefire ProspectsIn the wake of the child fatalities, calls for an immediate de‑escalation have intensified from United Nations bodies, regional actors, and human‑rights organizations. The incident could serve as a catalyst for renewed ceasefire negotiations, though the path forward remains uncertain given the entrenched positions on both sides.

A Surrealist Masterpiece Emerges from the Depths of Psychiatric ConfinementA recently discovered painting by the surrealist artist Leonora Carrington, made during her confinement in a Spanish psychiatric hospital during the second world war, will go on public display for the first time in London this summer. Known as Villa Pilar, the work was painted in 1940 while Carrington was a patient at sanatorium Morales in Santander, after fleeing Nazi-occupied France following the arrest of her partner, the German artist Max Ernst.The Unveiling of a Hidden Masterpiece from a Turbulent PeriodCarrington suffered a psychological breakdown in Madrid and was admitted to the institution, where she underwent traumatic psychiatric treatments that she later described in her memoir Down Below. But encouraged by her psychiatrist, Dr Luis Morales, Carrington sketched each day, and created two paintings, Down Below and Villa Pilar, which depict the psychiatric hospital as a symbolic underworld. Carrington described her "down below" period as an experience akin to "being dead."A Life Marked by Rebellion and Artistic InnovationBorn into a wealthy Lancashire family in 1917, Carrington rebelled early against the expectations placed on upper-class women. She studied at the Chelsea School of Art before meeting Ernst at a dinner party in London in 1937, when she was 20 and he was 46. The two began a relationship that scandalised their respective social circles and moved together to Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche in the south of France, where they lived and worked until the German invasion.She found kindred artistic spirits in renowned surrealists like André Breton, Salvador Dalí, and Man Ray, who, like her, were fascinated by dreams, the subconscious and the occult. When she eventually settled in Mexico in the 1940s, she became one of the country's most celebrated artists and part of an influential community of women creatives working outside the male-dominated European surrealist movement – alongside figures including the Spanish painter Remedios Varo and the photographer Kati Horna.Carrington was later embraced as a feminist icon, and she always resisted attempts to reduce her to her gender, once remarking: "I didn't have time to be anyone's muse ... I was too busy rebelling against my family and learning to be an artist." She died in Mexico City in 2011, aged 94.The Rediscovery and Symbolic Meaning of Villa PilarCarrington gave Villa Pilar to Dr Morales when she left the sanatorium, and it remained in his family for decades. It was only rediscovered during research for the exhibition by the Faro Santander team, who persuaded the Morales family to loan it publicly for the first time.Vanessa Boni, curator of the exhibition, said Carrington created the work as "a parting gift" to thank Morales for helping her recovery, despite the "brutal" treatments she endured, including cardiazol injections. "As we know from her memoir, it was really traumatic," she said. "Dr Morales kept the painting his entire life, and when he passed away, it was handed down to his daughter."The work depicts the hospital as being populated by hybrid human-animal figures moving through vivid green gardens – imagery that would become central to Carrington's later practice. "It speaks to ideas of inner transformation, metamorphosis and otherness," Boni said. "Both paintings are set in a verdant green landscape, including a green sky, which was a symbolic colour for her."A Transatlantic Exhibition JourneyVilla Pilar will join the exhibition Leonora Carrington – the Symptomatic Surreal at the Freud museum, where Sigmund Freud spent the final year of his life after escaping Nazi-occupied Vienna. To mark the unveiling, the exhibition has been extended until 10 August before travelling to Faro Santander, a new arts centre in the northern Spanish city, in September.Daniel Vega Pérez de Arlucea, director of Faro Santander, said: "This is not simply a matter of showcasing the work of one of the most important surrealist artists, but of recognising and revisiting a chapter of her life deeply rooted in this city."After leaving Santander, Carrington travelled through Lisbon and New York before settling in Mexico, where she became one of the leading figures of surrealism. In 2024, one of her paintings was auctioned for £22.5m, a record for a UK-born female artist.While in New York, Carrington gave her Santander sketchbooks to the surrealist collector Julien Levy, whose collection was sold at auction and dispersed into private collections in 2004. This exhibition marks the first attempts since then to bring the contents together for a major public display.