Allusionist 82. A Novel Remedy

August 10, 2018 The Allusionist

When you're feeling unwell, what's the book you read to make yourself feel better? And why does it work?

Clinical psychologist Jane Gregory explains why she sometimes prescribes novel-reading to her patients; and academic Guy Cuthbertson tells how post-WW1 Britain was soothed by Agatha Christie's murder mysteries.

Allusionist 50: Under the Covers - part I

February 8, 2017 The Allusionist

Escape into the loving embrace of a romance novel - although don't think you'll be able to escape gender politics while you're in there. Bea and Leah Koch, proprietors of the romance-only bookstore The Ripped Bodice, consider the genre; and publisher Lisa Milton scrolls through the 109-year history of the imprint that epitomises romance novels, Mills & Boon.