This week, Damon Galgut praises Diane Oliver's exceptional short stories, newly published over half a century after her death; and Rosemary Waugh on theatre director Yaël Farber's visceral engagement with Shakespearean tragedy.

'Neighbors and Other Stories', by Diane Oliver

'King Lear', by William Shakespeare, directed by Yaël Farber, at the

Almeida Theatre, London, until March 30, 2024

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

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In the first episode of our new series on the Ideas Behind American Elections, David and historian Gary Gerstle explore the presidential contest of 1800: scurrilous, complicated, game changing. How did it help create the American party system? Was it really democratic? What would have happened if Aaron Burr had won? Plus, just how accurate is the depiction of the election in Hamilton the musical?

PLUS sign up now for the new PPF newsletter. A free, fortnightly guide to recent episodes, jam-packed with further reading, more to watch and listen to, plus extras from David. Starting with the Great Political Fictions.

To get the newsletter just click on the top link in our Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/ppfideas

Next week on the Ideas Behind American Elections: 1828.

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