Literature

An old sketch of Robin Hood pointing his bow and arrow to his right in a forest (Credit: Getty Images)

The dark, violent medieval origins of Robin Hood

Robin Hood began as an oral tradition in the 12th Century before morphing into a heroic, family-friendly stereotype – here's how new takes are restoring his dark side.

6 hrs ago

1 day ago

Gavin Esler and Steph McGovern - he has grey hair and grey stubble and is wearing a dark jacket with a green shirt underneath. She has blonde hair and is wearing a white blouse with a rose pattern on it.

Record crowds for book festival in founder's final year

Borders Book Festival sees record crowds and sales in Alistair Moffat’s final year as director.

1 day ago

2 days ago

A woman with short, wavy brown hair is pictured in front of a large book case. She has brown glasses and is wearing a floral green top with buttons down the middle.

'Independent bookshops are our community hubs'

A Worcester business owner says independent bookshops, like hers, are becoming community centres.

2 days ago

5 days ago

A woman with short, blonde hair and wire-rimmed glasses in a light blue jumper with a blue striped blouse underneath stands in front of Abbotsford House the former home of Sir Walter Scott

'Most unusual book' wins Walter Scott historical fiction prize

Alice Jolly's The Matchbox Girl wins the £25,000 Walter Scott Prize at the Borders Book Festival.

5 days ago

6 days ago

A composite of three images: Prue Leith - an older woman with colourful jewellery, Hannah Spencer - a younger woman with long blonde hair - and Lemn Sissay, a man with short afro hair wearing a dark suit

Prue Leith and Lemn Sissay among festival line up

The event next month is one of the country's largest literature festivals, organisers say.

6 days ago

7 days ago

Tessa McWatt standing outside The Forum in Norwich in front of a church which is out of focus. She is looking directly at the camera and is smiling. She has short brown hair.

Author honoured with Caribbean literature prize

Tessa McWatt, whose book is inspired by her mother, describes her as her "heart's inspiration".

7 days ago

7 Jun 2026

A woman with long dark blonde hair that is slightly waved smiles at the camera. She is standing in front of a bookshelf as she holds a stack of books in one hand.

Romantasy book club helping rural readers connect

Readers are sharing their love of dragons, faeries and witches in a book club sparked by the genre.

7 Jun 2026

2 Jun 2026

A shot from over the shoulder of a woman pointing to a book and a child reading the book. The woman has blonde hair tied back and is wearing a blue long sleeve top. The child has long brown hair and is wearing a white t-shirt. The book is The Gruffalo and has illustrations and words on both pages.

Children's reading festival returns to city

The Big Malarkey Festival will see authors, artists and musicians gather at Hull's East Park.

2 Jun 2026

A woman sitting on a pebbled beach in front of cliffs with an open book in her hands. She is wearing a colourful knitted cardigan and blue framed glasses, and looking at the camera.

Philippa Perry's 'cosy crime' novel set in South Downs

Philippa Perry, Grayson Perry's wife, has set her new murder mystery book in the South Downs.

2 Jun 2026