A humanising tale of a king’s five daughters
This royal biography reveals a fascinating slice of medieval history, says Allan Massie
A theological thriller that has stood the test of time
A 30-year-old novel by Piers Paul Read hasn’t lost its power to startle
A portrait of Western decadence that could do with more jokes
This collection of cultural essays has some questionable claims
Anthony Burgess’s Earthly Powers: an attempted masterpiece that didn’t quite work
A cradle Catholic, Anthony Burgess put theological hope into his novels. But his most ambitious book isn’t the best example, says Allan Massie
Nietzsche: the world’s most misunderstood philosopher?
Nietzsche was mild, timid and would have loathed Nazism, says Allan Massie
