Culture

What are you looking at? A reflection on the Ashmolean’s Aphrodite exhibition 

The woman crouches, nude. A gauzy blue curtain hangs where she hides her chest; behind it I can just see the other artefacts. She isn’t looking at me. Over...

The midterms and the YA novel: Impossibly happy endings

Given its intense media coverage and everything that seems to be on the line, I feel as though I have been anxiously awaiting the results of the 2026 US midterm elections for weeks, months – maybe years.

How books are burned today

It is a worrying thought that what sits on your bookshelf today could be...

The burden of the face: Why are so many singers wearing masks?

We can all name at least one musician who has performed behind a balaclava, helmet, or hood. Whether to preserve anonymity, cultivate mystery, or construct an entirely new artistic identity, masking the face is common among those under the limelight.

Judged By Its Cover: The Yellow Wallpaper

Cherwell eyes up the Dover Thrift Edition of The Yellow Wallpaper

Judged By Its Cover: Beloved

Cherwell examines the Vintage Classics edition of Beloved

Judged By Its Cover: Luchford

We look at the 2009 Steidl volume of Glen Luchford’s photography.

Judged By Its Cover: Kafka

Cherwell looks at the striking 2009 Oxford World’s Classics editions of Kafka.

Spinal Tap Revisited

Has this cult classic lost its appeal for the MTV generation?

Dream Diaries: Part 1

Producer of A Dream Play, Charlotte Ellis, takes us behind the scenes with an insider's view into putting on a play

Review: The Thin Red Line (1964)

There is something to be said for Andrew Marton’s gritty take on James Jones' novel.

Review: Betrayal

This piece about the Nazi occupation of Norway is something of a missed opportunity.

Review: ‘All Day’ by Girl Talk

Girl Talk release a disappointing third album

Review: No Direction Home

Scorcese's documentary on Bob Dylan is 208 minutes long, but still watchable

Review: Control

Anton Corbijn's sincere account of the life of Ian Curtis

Here’s Lookin’ at Zoo, kid

Andrew McCormack takes a stroll in the park with Albee's Zoo Story

Life is a Cabaret

Cherwell celebrates the cheesy power of musicals

Cinéma-voyeurisme

Cherwell takes a look at the music biopic

Sound Distortion

Matthew Shribman deplores the commercialisation of our modern day radio music

Review: The Decemberists

A stylish album that won't convert the nay-sayers

Review: White Lies

Not as slick as their debut album

Review: The Books

An album at once intelligent and light-hearted

Interview: Jamie Woon

Cherwell chats with the up and coming singer-songwriter.

Head in the Clouds

Art Jericho offers some stunning images of nature

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