Palatinate • 6th February 2021

Judging books by their covers

Books and Visual Arts discuss the role that cover art plays in our reading experiences.

Most of us have grown up hearing the adage “don’t judge a book by its cover”. Yet, publishing houses have whole departments dedicated to designing effective, and often beautiful, cover art. Five contributors tell us how the covers of some of their favourite books have influenced their experience of the books.

On the cover of my copy of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Ubervilles, there is a watercolour painting

Palatinate • 2nd December 2020

Album Review: Miley Cyrus – ‘Plastic Hearts’

Miley Cyrus is in no way new to experimentation, with each of her seven studio albums defying popular expectations. The 27th November 2020 saw Cyrus’ most recent statement yet, in the form of her newest album, titled Plastic Hearts. This angry post-divorce hit is arguably a ‘glow up’ in comparison to Cyrus’ other wackier endeavours, incorporating her love of rock with 80s-inspired instrumentals. A far cry from her Disney days, Cyrus uses this record to reinvent herself, placing herself alongside

Palatinate • 21st October 2020

Face masks: the newest form of self-expression

A little over six months ago, face masks were something seen pre-dominantly in surgical wards, yet this modest garment has now become a staple accessory that few leave the house without. Through out the past few months, face masks have evolved from an essential health precaution into a symbol of style and fashion. Responses to this are arguably mixed, ranging from the anti-maskers to those who have a different mask for each day of the week.

Palatinate • 22nd July 2020

National Theatre at home: a comment on Peter Shaffer’s ‘Amadeus’

A highly fictionalised account of the rivalry between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, ‘Amadeus’ is rich in both a musical and visual sense. Directed by Michael Longhurst, this 2017 production is the final show streamed free of charge by the National Theatre, bringing an end to their series of lockdown entertainments. It is however, not one to be missed. Featuring a diverse cast of eccentric characters, it explores the music of the Enlightenment era in a creative way, with many recog

BSJ • 14th June 2020

‘The Role of the Muslim League in the Partition of India’

The independence of India in 1947, and the subsequent creation of the two separate dominions of India and Pakistan, is an event that is frequently considered a turning point in modern history. [1] The bloody legacy of partition still runs true today, largely affecting present day politics, with both India and Pakistan playing a significant role in the current geopolitical climate. Partition consolidated divisions between the Hindus and M

Palatinate • 28th March 2020

The best online shows to watch to combat isolation boredom

With the indefinite closure of theatres all around the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may seem as though there is no way for theatre enthusiasts to get their drama fix.

However, digitalised performances are becoming increasingly accessible as subscription sites are willingly extending their free trial periods. Traditional streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime are worth taking a look at, as well as more specialist drama sites such as Globe Theatre, Marquee TV, LIVR

Palatinate • 19th September 2019

The Gordon Burn Prize 2019: For The Good Times

Set in 1970s Belfast, David Keenan’s vivid exploration of the Troubles is in the simplest terms: violent, explicit and provocative. The Ardoyne – a primarily working-class Catholic division of Belfast, and stronghold of the IRA – is navigated by Sammy and his friends, who will all stop at nothing to achieve their aim of establishing a Free State. Bobby Sands’ hunger strike and the political drama serves as a kind of backdrop to the narrative, with the novel itself documenting the day-to-day expe

Palatinate • 7th August 2019

Podcasts you should listen to this summer

Podcasts are the perfect way to unwind during the long summer months. Whether you are lounging by the pool, on your way to work or simply just trying to escape the ever-unpredictable British weather, podcasts are a great form of entertainment. I have listed below some of my current favourites, which I have been listening to this summer.
• The History Chicks

Feminism meets history in this detailed look at exclusively female figures of historical importance. Comedic in tone, this is the perfect

Palatinate • 16th July 2019

‘The Victorians’: five women Rees-Mogg forgot

Back in May, politician Jacob Rees-Mogg published a history book entitled The Victorians, which pays homage to influential figures of the Victorian period. Yet, Rees-Mogg chose to only feature only one woman: Queen Victoria herself. This apparent display of male dominance and entitlement massively overlooks the prevalence of females within Victorian society, which was increasingly apparent, particularly in the world of literature. I wish to shed light on some of the prominent female writers of t