Samuel Beckett

Take our quiz to see if you can distinguish between ‘50 Shades of Grey’ and masterpieces like ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’ or ‘Rabbit, Run.’

Michael Haneke’s Amour may have won the Palme d’Or, but David Cronenberg’s competition entry provided plenty of intrigue: an appearance by seldom seen author Don DeLillo, a reinvented star in Robert Pattinson—and a surprisingly topical subject. Richard Porton reports from Cannes.

Acclaimed playwright Jon Robin Baitz talks about his lauded new play, ‘Other Desert Cities,’ his crash-and-burn experience with ‘Brothers and Sisters’ on TV, David Mamet’s turn to the right, Rob Lowe’s graciousness, and other matters theatrical and personal.

Tom McCarthy’s last book was an unconventional cult hit, but his new novel turns toward realism and delivers a great story and writing, says Taylor Antrim.

A look at great reads from the editor of the Times Literary Supplement. This week: a look at five new novels on the financial crisis, an overlooked Irish writer’s work and a persnickety letter from Beckett, and the disappearance of horses from English culture.

James Joyce might have written the greatest Irish novel, but J. P. Donleavy certainly wrote the funniest, says Allen Barra in his review of this outrageous classic. Plus, Mark Salter's literary tour of Ireland

A look at great reads from the editor of the Times Literary Supplement. This week: Samuel Beckett, Colm Tóibín, Hilary Mantel, and Roberto Bolaño top this year’s list of the best books.