The Observer New Review

Nature’s glorious patchwork: the poetry of Nina Mingya Powles In the Hollow of the Wave weaves a striking vision of our beautiful, fragile world. bit.ly/3J5Pma3

‘The machine appeared in the distance, singing to itself of money’ Scepticism over the advance of technology has led to a revival of RS Thomas’s poetry, as seen at a choral festival inspired by the Welshman’s finest works. bit.ly/3GJM2kp

Books in brief: Seascraper, Goliath’s Curse and History for Tomorrow New books by Benjamin Wood, Luke Kemp and Roman Krznaric reviewed. bit.ly/457eGDU

Riders to the Sea and Macbeth – a thrilling play-pairing united against tyranny Druid Theatre company’s spirited, soul-touching double bill conveys a powerful message. bit.ly/3TZcoBO

'What I learned from returning to my teen clubbing days' At 15, clubbing was a vital part of the Arifa Akbar's world. At 51, she heads to Berlin’s hottest club. bit.ly/4magmn9

Hi guyyyys! Just here to share my authentic self I was asked to ‘do more in the Instagram space’. Cue anger – and a stilted speech to camera. bit.ly/4f7Q1nl

Susan Choi: ‘I meant to write a novella. I crashingly failed’ The American author of Flashlight on Korean identity, her love of short narratives, and improving upon The Borrowers. bit.ly/4o4wp7F

Wendy Ide’s pick of other films: Dying, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, The Bad Guys 2 A three-hour German film about death admittedly might not be for everyone – but it is mordantly funny and wears its running time lightly. bit.ly/3TV3PIl

Portraits of a one-track mind What can and cannot be seen in a face is the crux of a singular show exploring obsession, revolving around a Géricault painting more mysterious than the Mona Lisa. bit.ly/4o4ZCzo

The big picture: Vivian Maier’s backseat daisies The late-blooming photographer’s floral snapshot offers a tantalising glimpse of her humour and warmth bit.ly/4m7taL2

A spectacular series of firsts at the Proms A trio of world premieres saw this season begin in bravura style. bit.ly/4l2LHY6

The problems of The Winter’s Tale Shakespeare’s most challenging play remains so in a feverish production overloaded with allusions. bit.ly/46nvYPE

Unforgivable tests the limits of human sympathy Jimmy McGovern’s drama about a child abuser returning to his family asks difficult questions. bit.ly/46XUmYk

Believe the rumours: why Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham can’t leave each other alone After more than 50 years, the Fleetwood Mac pair’s album is being reissued thanks to gen Z’s obsession with their on-off relationship. bit.ly/3TUwSM6

William Notman and the invention of Canada The pioneering Scot documented the wildernesses of the young nation through the embryonic medium of photography. But it was in the studio that his true genius came to life. ttps://bit.ly/4l1uSfT

How Britain joined the CEO cult UK businesses were slow to professionalise – but today’s era of soaring pay has mostly brought economic woe. bit.ly/40DPF1T

The festival in the forest How the woodland centre Jacob’s Pillow became a crucible for modern dance – and an artistic retreat from Trump’s America. bit.ly/4f9wLWD

The battle over Liverpool Street Station How the country’s busiest railway station became embroiled in the never-ending battle between heritage and development. bit.ly/4f7PDVV

Bring Her Back is the most unsettling film of the year Sally Hawkins is utterly chilling as a bereaved foster mother in this trauma horror from the Philippou brothers. bit.ly/4kWpGKe

‘The machine appeared in the distance, singing to itself of money’. Scepticism over the advance of technology has led to a revival of RS Thomas’s poetry, as seen at a choral festival inspired by the Welshman’s finest works. Read more: bit.ly/3GJM2kp