There comes a moment in practically every Robert Edric novel when the setting (Victorian Cumberland, African jungle, dystopian future) melts away and some elemental human dilemmas begin to declare themselves.

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Review: Asunder, By Chloe Aridjis (Chatto & Windus)

Cracks appear down at the gallery

Leap in the dark: Bright and breezy was never going to do it for the designer Abigail Ahern

Ahern repainted her house in dark, inky tones for an Elle Decoration photoshoot and has never looked back...

Millwall striker Andy Keogh has a shot blocked by Damien Delaney

Ian Holloway denies he is concerned about Crystal Palace's form after stalemate at Millwall

Neither side could find a goal at Selhurst Park

Stabbing as Lord Lloyd Webber launches gangs scheme

A schoolboy is in a critical condition after being stabbed on a bus outside a school – on the same day it was hosting the launch of a scheme by Andrew Lloyd Webber to combat gang culture by encouraging deprived schoolchildren to take up music.

Page 3 Profile: Lord Lloyd-Webber, composer

Giving something back?

Lord Lloyd-Webber's scheme will provide instruments for children from schools in deprived areas

Lord Lloyd-Webber backs ‘give a child an instrument’ plan for schools

Lord Lloyd-Webber has launched a pioneering scheme which hands musical instruments to deprived schoolchildren to improve their academic results and combat gang culture.

Wilfried Zaha in action against Leeds

Crystal Palace duo Wilfried Zaha and Ian Holloway charged by FA

Winger appeared to make offensive gesture at Leeds fans

Holloway hollers: The Crystal Palace manager confronts Luke Varney

Crystal Palace 2 Leeds United 2 match report: Ian Holloway blasts Luke Varney and ref as Leeds pinch point

The sight of Ian Holloway being ushered off the pitch by stewards at the final whistle, while counterpart Neil Warnock dragged Leeds' captain Lee Peltier away from the Crystal Palace manager, stressed the growing tension of the Championship race.

John Salt, 131 Upper Street, London N1

It's easy, when reporting on restaurants rather than, say, politics, to get a false perspective on what makes a big story. Apart from the adventures of a few telly chefs, our 'news' seems fairly parochial stuff to the wider world. A restaurateur poaching a prized site from under a rival's nose won't generally push global events off the front page, though it might just make it if a chef were to cut off a rival's nose and poach it.

The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles ride the Tube to Kings Cross station on the Metropolitan line

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall take the Tube

To mark the 150th anniversary of the London Underground Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall took a trip on the Tube.

DVD & Blu-ray review: The Titfield Thunderbolt (U) Charles Crichton (82mins)

This slice of community spirit whimsy from Ealing centres on a proposed closure of the train line linking Titfield to Mallingford.

Ben Spalding won rave reviews for his innovative style of cooking at John Salt

Top chef quit sold-out restaurant 'after clash over burger and chips'

Acclaimed 25-year-old said his position was 'untenable'

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Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions

He's worked with Modest Mouse, the Pet Shop Boys and Beck, to name a few, and recently released his first solo album. So why, wonders Johnny Marr, do people still hark on about The Smiths?
After the flood: From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands

In pictures: After the flood

From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands
Death becomes her: Meet the very modern mortician who champions 'cool' funerals

Death becomes her: A very modern mortician

Ever considered baking a loved one's remains into a cake or putting their ashes in fireworks? If so, talk to Caitlin Doughty, champion of the alternative death industry.
How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

At first it seemed clever and cute. Then the 'Keep Calm' motif went mad, spawning endless offshoots.
The man who built Brum: A lament for the demise of John Madin's Brutalist Birmingham

John Madin: The man who built Brum

The architect's buildings were supposed to leave an indelible, futuristic mark on his beloved hometown but they are now being inexorably torn down.
School of chop: Learning the art of butchery at the Ginger Pig

School of chop: Learning the art of butchery

How do you butcher a lamb? Or make Mexican street food in a British kitchen? Christopher Hirst finds out.
James Pembroke: The man who's eaten everywhere

The man who's eaten everywhere

Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
Banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof to attend Cannes Film Festival 2013, his first public appearance since prison

Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival

Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
Eat Spam and carry on: Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating

Eat Spam and carry on

Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
Facial hair: Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence

Facial hair

Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

Whether they're for everyday use or to make your dining table look just right, it's worth getting a stylish shaker...
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Chief executive says trophies will come if a 'core' of suitable players is in place
Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats