#19 Culture Fix

Autumn resolutions, books + films, a must see exhibition, a tempting play, and two new albums to cosy up to as we get ready to welcome back darkness, our old fiend.

The Culture Fix is a regular section where I share the books, films, music, articles, interviews, plays, exhibitions, places, and even food, I’ve enjoyed recently.

Recommendations may refer to content in either English, Spanish, French or Italian (as these are the languages I speak) and sometimes not available in English. But since this is a publication called Abroad written by a multilingual foreigner in London, and hopefully appealing to those curious to explore beyond their own borders, this shouldn’t come as a surprise or be an obstacle to widen your cultural horizons.

Autumn is already in full swing here in London.

At the time of writing, storm Benjamin has made temperatures drop drastically since Thursday. I’ve said goodbye overnight to the cosy autumn vibes of the past couple of weeks to embrace my inner Artic explorer. Instead of complaining, which I will in due time, I have resolved to make the most of every bit of sunshine and relative dry weather we get from here on. Which may not be much as the clocks have gone back an hour tonight, the cue for London to get ready to enter a long dark night of the soul until the clocks go back forward in the spring.

I can do with the cold, the rain and moderate wind, but the sudden arrival of darkness combined with the perennial pasty tone of the London sky once we enter November is something I find more and more difficult to cope with as years go by.

I find crisp and sunny days very reinvigorating and I love feeling the sunshine and cold at once in the face while out for a walk. Unfortunately the British winter doesn’t offer many opportunities to enjoy this weather combination as it’s dark before you have time to leave the house. That’s why autumn resolution is that if the sun is out, so will I. That vitamin D isn’t going to raise on its own indoors nor pump up the dopamine levels. I need them to be skyrocket high if I want to survive another winter.

I’ll be outside in the little sun we can get from here until spring

In fact, one of said outings in the sun led me to St. John’s Wood library, which sits in the borough of Westminster. I noticed there was a small shelf outside with library books available for purchase, which I hadn’t seen before in any other London library I’ve visited so far.

I spoke to a man who was a member of staff to enquire about a book I wanted to buy, which I suspected I already owned but couldn’t be sure. He was very nice and mentioned I could return it if that was the case and he would reimburse me, but since it was only £1.50 I said it should be fine¹. We got chatting about the book itself as he mentioned he didn’t know the author, how my local library in Camden doesn’t sell books, and how I used to live in Westminster but had never visited this library before and how nice the area was.

He informed me that if I wanted, I could join as a member. I repeated that I no longer lived in Westminster so I didn’t have a local address. He very kindly explained they accept anyone with a UK address. “We don’t discriminate here, you know? We have a very big Japanese community in the area and they’re all members. Everyone is welcome!," he said with a big smile and a little wink as, right on cue, two elderly Japanese ladies entered the library and greeted him affectionately. His words were music to my ears so the following day I came back to complete my inscription.

Unfortunately the man I had spoken the day before wasn’t there. Another colleague of his, equally lovely, was very helpful when I explained what I had come for. As he logged into a computer, he delivered more good news: The Westminster library card can be used in any library in Chelsea and Kensington as well. He mentioned that the Hammersmith and Fulham borough used to be part of the scheme until recently. “But one day they told us they wanted to quit just like that,” he said typing in my details into the computer. When he handed over my brand new card, he gave me a knowing look and said “They thought they would be better on their own but I’ve heard they have less people visiting after they left,” which was delivered in a cheeky tone that let on he may be referring not only to the declaration of independence of the Hammersmith and Fulham libraries. I’ve only interacted very briefly with the staff in this library but I can already tell this must be a fun place to work².

“You’re all set now. By the way, you can take up to 20 books at once with this one so feel free to have a browse if you want.” This feels almost extravagant amidst the wave of cuts in public spending we’ve been experiencing. In fact, we shall seriously worry when even the amount of books one can borrow from a public library is halved. Until that day, let’s make the most of whatever free resources we still have available to keep ourselves informed, educated, and, why not, also entertained.

So now, if you excuse me, I have a very busy autumn ahead of me raiding posh libraries in zone 1. Hopefully that’ll translate into more book recommendations for future issues of The Culture Fix.

In the meantime, let’s get cracking with this one.

You’ll find me behind the Personal Growth section in Marylebone library

On Substack/News/Articles

— At Gail’s, what is the human cost behind a £5 loaf of bread?
— Even Before the Heist, the Louvre Had Been Robbed, a great article by

Diane de Vignemont

exploring the impact of funding cuts for cultural organisation
— When Do We Stop Finding New Music? A Statistical Analysis
— Jane Austen: The Original Romance Novelist, a wonderful conversation between

Claire Holden

and Janet Lewis Saidi, aka

Plain Jane

— Expats, Privilege, and the Myth of Choice
— Out to Pasture: Why Hollywood’s Animal Actors Can’t Find Work
— Greece accuses British Museum of ‘provocative indifference’ over pink ball*
— OpenAI has unveiled plans to allow erotica content for verified adults on ChatGPT
— Rolling Stone has published a list with the 250 best songs of the century so far.

*I talked about the British Museum pink ball recently and shared the last two news on the latest one on mostly cool things, a weekly dispatch on the bits and bobs that catch my attention across culture, fashion, business, and technology.

Here you speak Spanish

Books

— Patriot by Alexei Navalny
One of the best books I’ve read this year is, without a doubt, Patriot by Alexei Navalny, which I borrowed from the library. If you haven’t read this book yet (or watch the award-winning documentary Navalny) I urge you to do so at your earliest convenience. It is a heartbreaking but also hopeful account about Navalny’s rise in Russian politics as a critical figure that set out to expose corruption and confront Putin’s regime and the consequences it had for him. However, Navalny’s humour and ceasless hope for a better Russia manage to infiltrate most of the book even during his solitary confinement in a high security prison near the Artic, where he eventually died in early 2024. This is a very timely cautionary tale on the risk authoritarian leaders pose to democracy and the terrible consequences of letting them on the loose without a proper checks and balance system that has the means and power to confront them when they abuse the system and threaten citizens’ freedoms and rights.

— Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
I’ve finally got around reading this novel which a good friend had recommended many times. I tend to avoid/ignore any contemporary novel that is showered with PR and media praise as, like the prices of London property, they tend to be overinflated so I prefer to approach those books when the hype has been long dead and buried. Having said that, Yellowface is deserving of all the good things people have said about it. Kuang’s novel eviscerates the insides of the publishing industry in the times of identity politics and social media as a force that can make or break an author. She does so masterfully, balancing a critical, at points cynical, tone with tongue-in-cheek observations and plot twists that will keep you on edge until the very end. As much as some people are asking for a moratory about books about writers being writers and talking about books, I will always have a soft spot for them and Yellowface deserves a place of honour in this category.

— También esto pasará (This too shall pass, English edition) by Milena Busquets. This is a book I read while I was on holiday in Spain this summer and forgot to mention previously. The novel revolves around the death of the protagonist’s mother and the early stages of dealing with life without her. As she sets out on visiting the family home in the coast to sell it, and uses the occasion to bring together friends and exes alike for a last celebration, she embarks on a reflection on the meaning of life, sex as a vital force, and what the future holds for her. Despite its theme, Busquets’ writing flows very nicely and her style is honest and raw but also funny and warm, which made reading the novel a breeze. It has reminded me of Eva Baltasar and her celebrated trilogy (Permafrost/Boulder/Mammouth) which I’ve discussed in a previous edition of this newsletter.

— El Capitan Alatriste. Misión en París by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
After 14 years of uncertainty and doubt, Arturo Pérez-Reverte has finally deigned to publish the new instalment in his Capitán Alatriste series, Misión en París, which I devoured in two days. While the novel is currently available only in Spanish, translations will be hitting international markets soon as the adventures of a XVII century Spanish soldier have a big following beyond our borders in no small part due to Viggo Mortensen playing the role of Alatriste in the (very disappointing) film adaptation. If you aren’t familiar with this adventure series suffice to say that when the first book was published back in 1996 it was a proper revolution and Alatriste soon gained a cult following³. Following in the steps of Don Quijote but with a more grounded grasp of reality, Alatriste is the perfect anti-hero to bring us back to the time where the sun never set in the domains of the Spanish empire. But don’t be fooled because Alatriste isn’t a glossy celebration of the glories of the past. His role, in fact is to remind us that the causes of our downfall are often written in our DNA. Like the Cid, that other mythical soldier in Spanish history, Alatriste often finds himself reflecting on what a great soldier he could be if only his master were up to the task. A thought at times seconded, at times brushed away, by his good friend writer and poet Francisco de Quevedo (one of the leading cultural figures of the time), whose links and good standing within the court often make of him the messenger of new adventures that require the captain’s skills. Which in this latest instalment mean supporting the king of France Louis XIII and Richelieu during the siege of La Rochelle. And inevitably meeting at last The Three Musketeers, an encounter that was bound to happen sooner our later as Pérez-Reverte has never hidden his admiration for Dumas, which led him to write The Dumas Club, adapted into a passable film with Johnny Depp.⁴

Series

— Nobody Wants This, Season 2
If you’re a fan of Adam Brody and Kristen Bell’s interfaith romantic comedy, you’re in for a treat as season 2 excels in the often difficult task of meeting expectations, which were already high. I loved season 1, which was object of multiple rewatches and produced my most successful post to date full of ruminations about love and couldn’t help but to binge watch season 2. While Adam Brody and Kristen Bell chemistry is electric, there’s only so much you can keep the audience entertained with the will-she, won’t-she conversion question, which I’m sure the writers understood early on. In fact, if season 2 is a success is because it adds new characters to develop the story (Seth Rogen as a progressive rabbi is definitely a highlight) and it brings to the front secondary characters and their own personal quest for love, belonging and self-acceptance, whether inside or outside of relationships. While I still very much have the hots for Rabbi Noah (not very kosher of me, I know), Esther has climbed up many positions in my affections and along with Morgan they might be my favourite characters this season.

Documentary

— The Studio on the Farm
Most of the past couple of months have been spent in a state that I can only describe as musical trance. I won’t bother you (again) with the mystical revelation that Oasis second coming has been for me, but it’s led to this fascinating documentary about Rockfield Studios, the first residential recording studio in the world and legendary place where Queen recorded Bohemian Rhapsody. Founded by brothers Charles and Kingsley Ward, who had a passion for music since an early age and who saw an opportunity in the early 60 to transform their farm into a professional recording studio with the added benefit of having the capacity to host musicians in place while they recorded, providing a unique experience that didn’t disrupt the creative flow. In the era where music technology tools are making it easier and more accessible for people to compose music at home, not to speak of the progressive disappearance of many recording studios, Rockfield is a reminder of the power of the collaborative creative process in an environment designed for it.

Films

— French Lover
If you read this newsletter regularly, you probably know I have quite enjoyed French Lover, a Netflix film with Omar Sy and Sara Giraudeau. In fact, I liked it so much as to write a full post about it reflecting on the way French do romantic comedies⁵ and whether their more subtle approach may be the way forward. It turns out the film has an enthusiastic fanbase as per the many comments I’ve received⁶ , so if you haven’t watched it yet, what are you waiting to join our petit French Lover club?

— Steve
Adapted from Max Porter’s novella Shy, the film takes one of the marginal characters in the book and puts him at the centre of the story. Steve (a haunting and nuanced performance by Cillian Murphy) is the director of a reform school in the mid-90s which operates with limited resources and staff in a highly charged environment. Following the course of a day, where a television team is on site to film a segment for a show, we observe Steve and his team, as well as the boys they look after, pushed to the limit as yet another crisis unravels by the hour. I love the work Cillian Murphy is getting involved in since winning the Oscar to support projects he cares about and Steve happens to be a very timely film when the discourse about the importance of the welfare state seems to be changing.

— I Swear
This fantastic biopic about John Davidson, a man with Tourette’s syndrome that received an MBE for his work educating the public on the condition. Played on screen by an outstanding Robert Aramayo, who gives a performance full of honesty and warmth that successfully avoids caricature, we follow John before the symptoms developed and how their sudden manifestation, at a time where there was little information on Tourette, changed his life and that of his family irreversibly. While John will suffer some injustices due to the lack of knowledge about his condition, he will also find people along the way who will see past the swearing and impulsivity and will see the person beyond the symptoms. Be prepared to laugh out loud (the scene in a car with a girl with Tourette is sublime) and shed a few tears.

— Good Fortune
Good Fortune has been wrongly advertised as a comedy, which is not. At least not in a laugh-out-loud kind of way despite Aziz Ansari’s ambitious for his directorial debut. In fact, this is more a critique of our modern way of living which along the way will make you smile here and there. Ansari’s wry humour is a lens that magnifies the absurdity of many of the situations Arj (played by Ansari), a precarious worker in the gig economy, has to face on a day-to-day basis before a mistake of his guardian angel Gabriel (a Keanu Reeves that does a great job delivering dead pan lines) allows him to live the life of a millionaire tech bro he’s briefly worked for (a perfectly cast Seth Rogen). While the movie’s intentions are good and lead us to reflect about the way we live, the narrative remains surface level and fails to pack any real punches that can deliver anything of substance beyond the obvious. Still, it is interesting to see Reeves on screen being hapless and slightly incompetent instead of kicking ass like a pro.

— Hampstead
Based on the true story of Harry Hallowes, who lived for over two decades in a shack on Hampstead Heath, under the light-hearted veneer of a romantic comedy of sorts, this film explores the very timely questions of what a good life is for each of us and whether it is possible to live according to our values in a capitalistic society. While this one won’t knock your socks off, the beauty of Hampstead and a cast led by Brendan Gleeson, Diane Keaton and Leslie Manville will make it difficult not to warm up to it. A perfect comfort watch to enjoy with a hot drink under a blanket.

Interviews/Podcasts/Short bits

— Really enjoyed this interview with Cillian Murphy and Max Porter where they discuss the creative process behind Steve.

— I was sent this clip by someone who knows of my undying devotion for Hugh Grant and who thought I’d appreciate the opportunity to know him more intimately. They were not wrong and my opinion of him has only improved after watching this so now I’m sharing it with you all.

Music

— The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean
British singer Olivia Dean has been a well known act for a bit. In fact, her upcoming O2 gigs are all sold out. Too bad I have just come across her music as otherwise I would loved to go to one of the shows. The Art of Loving, Dean’s second album, was released at the end of September and it has been on heavy rotation for the past couple of weeks because, as a mood listener, I find it has the perfect autumn vibe.

There is something in Dean’s melodies and voice that bring to mind both Corinne Bailey Rae and Kimberose, while and yet they’re original, fresh, and instantly recognisable in their own right. Man I Need, So Easy (To Fall in Love), Nice to Each Other and Lady Lady would put a spring in your step and a smile on your face on a sunny day. If rainy or gloomy, the rest of the album will have you covered, but my top choices to get lost in thought are I’ve Seen It, Close Up, Let Alone the One You Love, and Something Inbetween.

— Lovin’ You by Richard Ashcroft
I shared in the previous issue how I had re-discovered Richard Ashcroft as a result of having been to see Oasis. Well, his latest album Lovin’ You (apparently love is in the air this season) has been the other loyal companion of my autumn walks. Ashcroft is not afraid to venture into new musical territory and as a result Lovin’ You is an eclectic mix of instant classic Ashcroft melodies where he lets his soulful voice power through in Out of This Blues, Oh L’Amour and Find Another Reason, while Heavy News embraces indie rock melodies for lyrics about the state of the world, and Lover provides a more light-hearted contrast to the rest of the album. But perhaps the most surprising track is I’m a Rebel, an incursion into disco/electronica that, contrary to what I would have thought, suits Ashcroft’s voice surprisingly well.

— If you only have time/money for one thing until Christmas, then let it be going to the Lee Miller exhibition at Tate Britain, which runs until 12 February 2026. This excellent retrospective on Miller gathers some of her most iconic photographs and celebrates the extensive career of an artist that reinvented herself many times, from fashion model to muse of Ray Man to surrealist genius of her own right, travel photographer and eventually war reporter. It is in fact this phase in Miller career that the excellent film Lee with Kate Winslet explored and which is a great companion to this exhibition. Likewise, you can read the piece

Wendy Varley

has written about it (Be More Lee) which hopefully will prompt you to book your tickets.

— Fans of Le Carré get your hats and trench coats ready as this stage adaptation is for you: The Spy Who Came in From the Cold at Soho Place, running from 17th November until 21st February. I’ve already bought my ticket and got my hands on the novel, which I hope to read before going to see the play. One can only hope.

— Originally staged at Soho Place and now coming to a screen near you from 27th November is The Fifth Step, a fantastic play written by David Ireland with Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden. Based on Ireland’s own experience following Alcoholics Anonymous’ 12-step programme, The Fifth Step explores with humour, compassion and brutal honesty the idea of trust in a programme, in religion, and in people but also the inescapability of flaws and moral failings in all of them. I was lucky to see this on its final week in the theatre and the performances of Freeman and Lowden were mesmerising.

— Last but not least, a very tempting play for 2026 as Leslie Manville and Aidan Turner will bring to life the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont in a new stage production of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre. Booking is now open and after having watched the promo trailer, I am already counting the days for this.

— Mince pies are probably one of my favourite things about the run up to Christmas. One year I even did a mince pie tasting (the best one was from Konditor) and got a bit sick as a result, which put me off mince pies altogether the following year. I’ve learned my lesson and now I mix things up a bit. At the time of writing, I’ve already eaten a box of mince pies (plus some other treats) and was planning on cutting down, but when

Gareth Bradwick

gave me the scoop that Sainsbury’s had a half price offer on Taste the Difference, I had to make an exemption because they’re my favourite supermarket mince pies. Buttery, not too sweet, right amount of filling, and not too crumbly. Please send thoughts and prayers because it’s going to be a challenging time until 2026.

I remember this one being very nice

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Abroad is an independent publication about London, living in between cultures, languages, books, music, films, creativity, and being human in the age of artificial intelligence.

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1. Reader, I did have the book already. It is The Impossible Exile: Stefan Zweig at the End of the World by George Prochnik.

2. As of today, I’ve met yet another different member of staff, also a man and also very nice. If I didn’t mind dating someone two to three decades older than me, this is the place.

3. In fact, one of the main protagonists of the Spanish time travelling series El Ministerio del Tiempo (The Ministry of Time) is a Spanish soldier from the XVI century called Alonso de Entrerríos, modelled on Alatriste. In the early episodes this is the source of several jokes to the puzzlement of Alonso, who ignores who this Alatriste everyone keeps comparing him to is, and the delights of the audience, who is quite familiar with him. By the way, the authors of the series accused author Kaliane Bradley of plagiarism as her novel The Ministry of Time has a very similar premise and title. Having both watched the original series and read Bradley’s novel, the book is indeed suspiciously similar. However, beyond the obvious overlaps between the two, Bradley uses the idea of a secret time-travelling government department as a base to explore the fate of the Victorian explorers on the Franklin’s lost expedition, which is the anchoring theme of her novel.

4. For some reason, none of the film/series adaptations of Pérez-Reverte’s books have been particularly fortunate, especially those concerning Alatriste. Not even Viggo Mortensen, fresh from playing Aragorn in Lord of the Rings, could save a film that was chaotic and lacked rhythm and whose Alatriste was deprived of the fine irony, intelligence and rough around the edges charisma the character has on the novels.

5. Contrary to what it may seem, I actually write about a lot more things than Netflix romantic comedies. I just happen to give the people what they want before they know they want it.

6. And which has generated some new followers as

India Knight

has included this post in her latest Weekend roundup as Substack informs me. Three things: Wow, thanks to India, and welcome to the new joiners!