Front Row

Literary critics Arifa Akbar and Toby Lichtig dissect the longlist of the 2019 Booker Prize longlist. For the full list see below.Tea is the most widely-consumed drink after water. Julie Finch, director the Compton Verney gallery, guides Julian May through their new exhibition A Tea Journey: From the Mountains to the Table. The show navigates the cultural history of the cuppa from the delicate bowls of Tang dynasty China to the British builder’s mug as well as new work made by artists in response to this history. Why have Fleabag’s black jumpsuit, the yellow coat from Keeping Faith and Villanelle’s pink dress all become firm favourites on the high street? Fashion historian Amber Butchart examines the long links between fashion houses, TV and Hollywood. Margaret Atwood (Canada) - The Testaments Kevin Barry (Ireland) - Night Boat to Tangier Oyinkan Braithwaite (UK/Nigeria) - My Sister, The Serial Killer Lucy Ellmann (USA/UK) - Ducks, Newburyport Bernardine Evaristo (UK) - Girl, Woman, Other John Lanches