Joan Smith

Known for her human rights activism and writing on subjects such as atheism and feminism, Joan Smith is a columnist, critic and novelist. An Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society and a regular contributor to BBC radio, she has written five detective novels, two of which have been filmed by the BBC. Her latest novel, What Will Survive, was published in June 2007.

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Joan Smith: Excuses for rape – men and the myths that won't die

Let's talk about men behaving badly. No, actually, let's talk about rape and sexual aggression, the accurate descriptions of some of the behaviours that have just caused a media frenzy. Most of the myths around the subject have surfaced during the past seven days. I'm going to list them as a small public service.

Recently by Joan Smith

Joan Smith: Peculiar case of Inspector Norse

Sunday, 15 May 2011

Our writer hunts for clues for the popularity of Nordic writers

Joan Smith: Western moral authority died in Abbottabad

Sunday, 8 May 2011

It isn't Hollywood. It isn't an action movie with Sylvester Stallone or Bruce Willis crashing through an upstairs window, spraying bullets. On the contrary, it seems likely that Spielberg or Scorsese would make a more coherent version of last weekend's operation in Abbottabad, appreciating both its moral dimension and the need to get the story straight in advance.

Joan Smith: Cleverness isn't sexy any more

Thursday, 5 May 2011

President Reagan, Governor Schwarzenegger, but no Prime Minister Ignatieff: the acclaimed novelist and cultural commentator has just led the Liberals to a shattering defeat in Canada's general election.

Joan Smith: Love-bombing fails – we should shame cruel regimes

Sunday, 1 May 2011

What's happening to the Arab spring? The high hopes of the early months of 2011 are being whittled away by shaky footage of corpses on the streets of North Africa and the Middle East and reports of secret trials. Libya now has to vie for media attention with Syria, where troops opened fire on protesters two days ago in President Assad's home town of Latakia. Some 500 people have been killed in anti-government protests.

Joan Smith: My phone may have been hacked. So why wasn't I told?

Thursday, 28 April 2011

I write crime novels, but I never imagined a plot as seedy as this one. The idea that I was targeted by a private investigator makes me feel sick and angry

Joan Smith: Compassion deserts Cameron

Sunday, 24 April 2011

The PM's attack on benefit claimants incapacitated by drink, drugs and obesity laid bare his Tory soul

Joan Smith: When women cover up, it's what they reveal that matters

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

Nigella wouldn't be the first woman with a fuller figure to feel uncomfortable alongside young women whose body shapes owe a lot to punishing eating regimes

Joan Smith: Don't demonise singles: there's a lot of us about

Sunday, 17 April 2011

Are they going to be issued with cats? More middle-aged men are living alone, according to new figures, and it goes without saying that they must be just as miserable as all the middle-aged single women we've heard about for years.

Joan Smith: Kate Middleton: once again, the lady vanishes

Thursday, 14 April 2011

What on earth do the Windsors do to women behind closed doors? Two weeks before her wedding, Kate Middleton has started wearing clothes no normal woman in her twenties would give a second glance. Imagine the shopping trip: a few old friends, up in London for the day, going through rails of clothes and picking out... the knee-length suit. The boring court shoes. The lady-like clutch. And collapsing on each other's shoulders in helpless giggles.