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Lucy Popescu

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Writer, editor, critic. Chair of the Authors Club & Best First Novel Award. Former Director, WiPC, English PEN. Books incl #ACountrytoCallHome #ACountryofRefuge #TheGoodTourist & #AnotherSky. lucypopescu.com

Joined November 2024

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · May 11
I reviewed The Gang of Three at @kingsheadtheatre.bsky.social til 1 June: @newjournal.bsky.social Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky’s engaging political drama explores a pivotal chapter in the history of the Labour Party: www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: The Gang of Three at King’s Head Theatre

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camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · May 10
I reviewed Conor McPherson’s new play, The Brightening Air, for @newjournal.bsky.social at the #OldVic theatre til 14 June: www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/230085
Review: The Brightening Air at The Old Vic

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camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · May 10
Do please support Camden New Journal by signing up to NewJournal+ – its new newsletter – and consider becoming a paid subscriber to help protect quality journalism in north London & Camden's campaigning voice: www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/welc...
Welcome to NewJournal+ and how you can help protect Camden's campaigning voice

Sign up today for our new newsletter with both free and paid options

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · May 9
I reviewed Joel Tan's compelling Scenes from a Repatriation for @newjournal.bsky.social. It's at the #RoyalCourtTheatre upstairs til 24 May: www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: Scenes from a Repatriation at the Royal Court

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camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · May 3
My review of The Great Gatsby for @newjournal.bsky.social at #LondonColiseum til 7 Sept - a sumptuous production: www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: The Great Gatsby, at London Coliseum

Glorious staging amply compensates for flaws in musical adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 classic

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · May 2
Looking forward to talking to #SabrinHasbun abt her family memoir, Crossing, pub by #FootnotePress retracing the love story between Sabrin Hasbun’s Palestinian father and Italian mother: Tues 13th May, 6:30pm Daunt Books Hampstead, all welcome. dauntbooks.co.uk/shop/events/...
Sabrin Hasbun in conversation with Lucy Popescu

Buy tickets for the event with Sabrin Hasbun in conversation with Lucy Popescu at Daunt Books Hampstead from Daunt Books today.

dauntbooks.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · May 2
Delighted to be in conversation with #NicolHochholczerová - @hatchards.bsky.social on Thurs 15 May, talking about her novel This Room Is Impossible To Eat, transl by @juliasherwood.bsky.social & Peter Sherwood and published by #ParthianBooks. All welcome. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening...
An Evening with Nicol Hochholczerová - Hatchards Piccadilly

Join Nicol Hochholczerová discussing her brand new novel "This Room Is Impossible To Eat" in conversation with Lucy Popescu.

eventbrite.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Apr 25
I reviewed Heart Lamp for @financialtimes.com weekend Banu Mushtaq’s tales of Indian women battling patriarchy, translated by Deepa Bhasthi publ @andotherstories.bsky.social shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. www.ft.com/content/c245... via @ft
Heart Lamp — Banu Mushtaq’s tales of Indian women battling patriarchy

Belatedly translated into English, the veteran author has been International Booker-shortlisted for her illuminating short-story collection

ft.com

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Apr 20
Final review for the #ObserverNewReview on the Guardian website - Delusions of Paradise by Maiwand Banayee - an unflinching study of how radicalisation takes root: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
Delusions of Paradise by Maiwand Banayee review – a compelling rejection of fundamentalism

An Afghan exile’s account of life in war-torn Kabul and a Taliban-dominated refugee camp is an unflinching study of how radicalisation takes root, and his own renunciation of it

theguardian.com

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Apr 18
I reviewed Robert Icke's Manhunt for @newjournal.bsky.social at @royalcourt.bsky.social to 3 May: #SamuelEdwardCook gives a full-throttle performance as Raoul Moat: www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: Manhunt, at Royal Court

Visceral production that recreates Raoul Moat’s rampage is a gruelling exploration of toxic masculinity

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Apr 18
publ by @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
- Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Apr 18
  I reviewed Death Takes Me by #CristinaRiveraGarza transl by #SarahBooker & #RobinMyersor for @thetls.bsky.social The grammar of violence the-tls.co.uk/regular-feat...?
  The grammar of violence | TLS
  
  Drug cartels in Mexico have been known to dismember their victims or leave messages on their bodies, threatening their rivals or glorifying in their gore. Femicide in the country is endemic. Cristina ...
  
  the-tls.co.uk
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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Apr 18
I reviewed Death Takes Me by #CristinaRiveraGarza transl by #SarahBooker & #RobinMyersor for @thetls.bsky.social The grammar of violence the-tls.co.uk/regular-feat...?
The grammar of violence | TLS

Drug cartels in Mexico have been known to dismember their victims or leave messages on their bodies, threatening their rivals or glorifying in their gore. Femicide in the country is endemic. Cristina ...

the-tls.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Apr 13
I reviewed Greater Sins by the talented @gabriellegriffiths.bsky.social for @ObserverNew Review: an atmospheric debut and affecting love story: @doubledayuk.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
Greater Sins by Gabrielle Griffiths review – a dark discovery upturns a Scottish village

The unearthing of a woman’s body in a peat bog during the first world war is the catalyst for a gritty tale of secrets, guilt and desire

theguardian.com

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Apr 11
I reviewed Rhinoceros for @newjournal.bsky.social at #AlmeidaTheatre til 26 April - a timely warning from the past: www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: Rhinoceros, at Almeida Theatre

Superb cast and imaginative staging in Eugène Ionesco’s surreal fable

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Apr 9
I reviewed Small Boat by #VincentDelecroix, translated by Helen Stevenson, for @financialtimes.com - a powerful reimagining of a migrant tragedy shortlisted for the international #InternationalBookerPrize ft.com/content/138d...
Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix — a powerful reimagining of a migrant tragedy

Shortlisted for the International Booker, the French philosopher’s new novel is a damning exploration of apathy in the face of calamity

ft.com

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 30
I loved Our Beautiful Boys by #SameerPandya - a profound meditation on identity, class, privilege and masculinity publ by @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social - I reviewed for the #ObserverNewReview : www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
Our Beautiful Boys by Sameer Pandya review – teenage lives at the crossroads

A night of violence exposes the dynamics of race, masculinity and privilege at play in America’s schools

theguardian.com

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 28
The #CriticsCircleTheatreAwards were a blast. Delighted to present #MarkStrong with Best Actor Award for Oedipus. photo credit - Joanne Davidson:

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 28
My review of Cry-Baby: The Musical, at #Arcolatheatre til 12 April. A thrilling production by #MehmetErgen www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi... @newjournal.bsky.social
Review: Cry-Baby: The Musical, at Arcola Theatre

Sensational production follows the cultural battle of two groups of teenagers

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 25
I love Elsa Morante's Arturo's Island (translated by #AnnGoldstein), published by @pushkinpress.com On Thursday eve I'll be talking to #TimParks and #cristinamarconi about the novel and how Morante influenced #ElenaFerrante - It's free and all welcome: iiclondra.esteri.it/en/
Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Londra

Il nuovo sito dell'Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Londra

iiclondra.esteri.it

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Patrick McGuinness handle.invalid · Mar 24
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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 24
Marni Appleton’s wry observational style is well suited to these tales of young women navigating the modern world. @marniapple.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m... publ by #Indigopress
I Hope You’re Happy by Marni Appleton review – a darkly comic look at millennial womanhood

Eleven short stories tackle mother-daughter relationships and the curse of social media with insight and humour

theguardian.com

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@Galleybeggars galleybeggars.bsky.social · Mar 24
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markabowles markabowles.bsky.social · Mar 24
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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 24
Delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2025 Best First Novel Award 2025: Congrats @markabowles.bsky.social #KalianebBradley #FerdiaLennon @scottprestonauthor.bsky.social #LeoVardiashvili #LaiWen www.authorsclub.co.uk/shortlist-an...
Shortlist announced for Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award 2025 | The Authors' Club Since 1891

The Authors’ Club is delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2025 Best First Novel Award, now in its 71st year.

authorsclub.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 22
Looking forward to talking to #AndreiKurkov again, this time about his novel Stolen Heart publ by @quercusbooks.bsky.social #DauntsMarylebone. All welcome. dauntbooks.co.uk/shop/events/...
Andrey Kurkov in conversation with Lucy Popescu

Buy tickets for the event with Andrey Kurkov in conversation with Lucy Popescu at Daunt Books Marylebone from Daunt Books today.

dauntbooks.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 21
My review of Farewell Mister Haffmann for @newjournal.bsky.social at @parktheatrelondon.bsky.social til 12 April: www.islingtontribune.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: Farewell Mister Haffmann, at Park200

Solid performances in wartime drama set in Nazi-occupied Paris

islingtontribune.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 21
My review of Claire Baglin’s debut On the Clock, transl by Jordan Stamp - an impressive portrait of working-class family life in France @dauntbookspub.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/9409... via @ft
On the Clock — an impressive portrait of working-class family life in France

Claire Baglin’s assured debut novel explores the powerlessness of a young woman trapped in mindless work

ft.com

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 20
I reviewed Weather Girl at @sohotheatre.bsky.social for @newjournal.bsky.social www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: Weather Girl, at Soho Theatre

As Californian wildfires rage, bittersweet solo play goes from laugh-out-loud funny to leaving the audience in stunned silence

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 14
I reviewed Punch, adapted by #JamesGraham, for @newjournal.bsky.social at #YoungVic til 12 April: www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: Punch, at Young Vic

Affecting play follows one man’s journey from gratuitous violence to redemption

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 13
I reviewed #TheSeagull for @newjournal.bsky.social at @barbicancentre.bsky.social til 5 April - the all star cast are stupendous. www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: The Seagull, at Barbican Theatre

Cate Blanchett stars in unmissable modern take on Chekhov play

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 10
My review of The White Rose for @newjournal.bsky.social at #MaryleboneTheatre until 13 April: www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: The White Rose, at Marylebone Theatre

Musical set during the Second World War is affecting and timely

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 9
I reviewed Kate Kemp's debut The Grapevine for #TheObserver - Set in the sweltering summer of 1979 in a quiet cul-de-sac, in a Canberra suburb, where dissatisfaction, secrets and prejudices proliferate like wildfire: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
The Grapevine by Kate Kemp review – slaughter in surburbia

In a quiet Australian backwater an unravelling cast of women make claustrophobic crime fiction out of a close-knit community

theguardian.com

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 7
I reviewed the terrific A Knock on the Roof at the @royalcourttheatre.bsky.social@newjournal.bsky.social www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: A Knock on the Roof, at Royal Court Downstairs

Powerful one-woman play vividly conveys the reality of life in a war zone

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Mar 7
Am chairing this fabulous literary event with #TimParks and #CristinaMarconi on 27 March at the Italian Cultural Institute: For fans for Elsa Morante and Elena Ferrante. It's free. ALL welcome. @pushkinpress.com iiclondra.esteri.it/en/gli_event...
A Writer’s Journey: Ferrante &…Elsa Morante

A writer’s journey: Ferrante &…Elsa Morante Thursday 27 March, 6.30pm Tim Parks in conversation with Cristina Marconi Chaired by Lucy Popescu Second in the series of three events ‘A Writer’s Journey: ...

iiclondra.esteri.it

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 27
My review of Crystal Pite's Light of Passage for @newjournal.bsky.social at @royaloperahouse.bsky.social House til 12 March: www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: Light of Passage, at Royal Opera House

Ballet production explores themes of migration and displacement

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 27
My review of #Otherland by @chrisbushwrites.bsky.social for @newjournal.bsky.social at #AlmeidaTheatre til 15 March - an imaginative, sometimes profound, meditation on identity, womanhood and personal transformation. Recommended: www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: Otherland, at Almeida Theatre

Meditation on identity, womanhood and personal transformation is a gloriously inventive play

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Francesca Main handle.invalid · Feb 24
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scottprestonauthor scottprestonauthor.bsky.social · Feb 24
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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 24
and publishers: @galleybeggars.bsky.social @jonathancape.bsky.social @sceptrebooks.bsky.social #PhoenixBooks #FigTreeBooks #Chatto&Windus @johnmurrays.bsky.social #ScribePublications @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social @swiftpress.bsky.social
- Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 24
  Congratulations @markabowles.bsky.social #ColinBarret #KalianebBradley @emilyhowes.bsky.social #TomLamont #FerdiaLennon #PhoebeMcIntosh @newlands.bsky.social @scottprestonauthor.bsky.social #Varaidzo #LeoVardiashvili #LaiWen
  Bluesky
  
  owles.bsky.social
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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 24
Congratulations @markabowles.bsky.social #ColinBarret #KalianebBradley @emilyhowes.bsky.social #TomLamont #FerdiaLennon #PhoebeMcIntosh @newlands.bsky.social @scottprestonauthor.bsky.social #Varaidzo #LeoVardiashvili #LaiWen
Bluesky

owles.bsky.social
- Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 24
  Thrilled to announce the #Authors'Club Best First Novel Award 2025: www.authorsclub.co.uk/longlist-for...
  Longlist for Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award 2025
  
  Today, the Authors’ Club announces the longlist for the annual Best First Novel Award, now in its 71st year. The longlisted books are as follows…
  
  authorsclub.co.uk
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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 24
Thrilled to announce the #Authors'Club Best First Novel Award 2025: www.authorsclub.co.uk/longlist-for...
Longlist for Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award 2025

Today, the Authors’ Club announces the longlist for the annual Best First Novel Award, now in its 71st year. The longlisted books are as follows…

authorsclub.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 23
My review of East is South for @newjournal.bsky.social #HampsteadTheatre until 15 March: www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: East is South, at Hampstead Theatre

Play that explores some of the questions posed by the progression of AI is teeming with intelligent ideas

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 20
Mixed reviews for Mike Bartlett's latest, but you can't fault the performances. My take for @newjournal.bsky.social #Unicorn at #GarrickTheatre starring #ErinDoherty #StephenMangan #NicolaWalker www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: Unicorn, at Garrick Theatre

Flawless performances in comedy about polyamory, starring Nicola Walker, Erin Doherty and Stephen Mangan

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 16
I reviewed The Book of George by #KateGreathead for the #ObserverNewReview @theguardian.com @atlanticbooks.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/books/2025/f...
The Book of George by Kate Greathead review – an absorbing portrait of millennial malaise

A restless modern male and his long-suffering girlfriend come of age against the historic events of the 21st century in the American writer’s witty second novel

theguardian.com

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 15
and @fourteenpoems.bsky.social
- Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 15
  12 books to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month: camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/twel... @picadorbooks.bsky.social @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social #dialoguebooks #AllenLanebooks #riverrunbooks @grantabooks.bsky.social @fantagraphics.bsky.social @andersenpress.bsky.social
  Twelve books to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, exploring the past, present and future
  
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  camdennewjournal.co.uk
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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 15
12 books to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month: camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/twel... @picadorbooks.bsky.social @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social #dialoguebooks #AllenLanebooks #riverrunbooks @grantabooks.bsky.social @fantagraphics.bsky.social @andersenpress.bsky.social
Twelve books to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, exploring the past, present and future

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camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 15
I reviewed #Mariupol by #KatiaHaddad for @newjournal.bsky.social at the #CockpitTheatre until 22 February. Warmly recommended. www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: Mariupol, at Cockpit Theatre

Bittersweet drama that follows the fates of two former lovers living on opposite sides of a border is utterly compelling

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 14
i reviewed Deviants by Deviants by #SantanuBhattacharya for #FTWeekend. A compelling addition to the growing genre of queer novels by South Asian writers. publ by #FigTreeBooks on.ft.com/4i0s2Hg
Deviants — a multigenerational study of identity and desire in India

Santanu Bhattacharya’s follow-up to ‘One Small Voice’ is a compelling study of gay life and the search to belong in an unforgiving society

on.ft.com

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 13
I reviewed Daniel Fish's bold production of Elektra, starring Brie Larson, for @newjournal.bsky.social at #DukeofYork'sTheatre until 12 April: www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: Elektra, at Duke of York’s Theatre

Bold production of Greek tragedy prioritises style over substance

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 13
I reviewed Oedipus starring #RamiMalek and #IndiraVarma for @newjournal.bsky.social at the #OldVicTheatre until 29 March: www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: Oedipus, at Old Vic

Breathtaking production evokes our own helplessness in the face of a climate crisis

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 9
I reviewed The Double Act for @newjournal.bsky.social - Mark Jagasia’s dark comedy reminds us of the murkier side of British show-business: @arcolatheatre.bsky.social www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/revi...
Review: The Double Act, at Arcola Theatre

Unsavoury characters are oddly compelling in dark comedy that reminds us of the murkier side of British show-business

camdennewjournal.co.uk

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 9
I reviewed Hero by #KatieBuckley for Observer New Review - a fearless study of female desire: theguardian.com/books/2025/f... @tinderpress.bsky.social
Hero by Katie Buckley review – fearless study of female desire

The British author’s debut novel pulls no punches in a feminist interrogation of women as archetypes in myths and fairytales

theguardian.com

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Lucy Popescu handle.invalid · Feb 2
I reviewed Lucy Rose's dark fairytale The Lamb for #ObserverNewReview - publ by @wnbooks.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/books/2025/f...
The Lamb by Lucy Rose review – a hard tale to shake

The film-maker’s evocative debut novel, a feminist gothic horror, explores loneliness, cannibalism and queer desire

theguardian.com

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