Terence Blacker

The journalist and critic Terence Blacker writes a twice-weekly topical column. He is the author of four novels and his children’s books have been published in 18 languages. Blacker’s most recent book was the highly praised biography You Cannot Live as I Have Lived and Not End Up Like This: The Thoroughly Disgraceful Life and Times of Willie Donaldson.

Terence Blacker: A land despoiled by pylons

The reason for not putting cables out of sight is that it'd be more expensive

Recently by Terence Blacker

Terence Blacker: Fame can make a fool of anyone, Ricky

Wednesday, 3 February 2010

Is there any more irritating sight in contemporary Britain than the grinning features of celebrity slob Ricky Gervais as he promotes a new film or show in the press? This man, once so funny and original, has become a depressing confirmation of the fact that fame can make a fool of more or less anyone.

Terence Blacker: Pity those who get a bonus

Friday, 29 January 2010

We should feel sorry for these people, with their sad, limited lives

Terence Blacker: These reporters risking their lives deserve respect

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

As a headline, "Journalist murdered in Mexico" is unlikely to set the pulse racing. Even a subhead reading "Government and police not particularly interested" would have most of us wearily turning to the home page for the latest news from Celebrity Big Brother.

Terence Blacker: A musical dynasty true to its art

Friday, 22 January 2010

A generation of singer-songwriters owes much to Kate McGarrigle

Terence Blacker: There is no bore quite like an eco-bore

Wednesday, 20 January 2010

A new, thoroughly 21st-century threat to domestic harmony is emerging. In some relationships, it is said to be causing as much discord as those age-old battlegrounds, sex and money. The problem is environmental incompatibility.

Terence Blacker: To the Lord Howe rat I take off my hat

Friday, 15 January 2010

If ever there were a place on earth which proves that natural conservation requires human ruthlessness, it is the small, apparently perfect Lord Howe Island, off the east coast of Australia.

Terence Blacker: Portrait of the playwright as a loving husband

Wednesday, 13 January 2010

Two of the great playwrights of their generation meet for dinner. A renowned biographer, married to one of them, records the event in her diary. "Dinner with Tom and Miriam Stoppard. Harold: 'I don't plan my characters' lives.' Then to Tom: 'Don't you find they take over sometimes?' Tom: 'No'."

Terence Blacker: Tales of national decline are overdone

Friday, 8 January 2010

The easiest way to offend is to say the British way of life is not so bad after all

Terence Blacker: We men are in touch with our feelings

Wednesday, 6 January 2010

A few days into the new decade, it already feels as if an age of surprise and paradox is dawning. In a warming world, we are experiencing the coldest winter for years. The Conservatives have promised to control the might of supermarkets. And – the biggest shock of all – it has been discovered that the human gender which is the more in touch with its innermost feelings, most emotionally honest and consistent, is... male.