Issue 1387

Wheel estate – photojournalist Ryan Ashcroft visits a remote, off-grid alternative community and finds them grappling with their own specific questions about self-isolation.

Peace offering - why make things up when there’s enough mystery and weirdness in real life? It’s an approach that has won Yorkshire-born author David Peace plaudits for novels including the Red Riding Quartet, usually set in the north. His new book, though, is the first he’s set in Japan, where he now lives, and concerns the country’s most notorious murder mystery.

Recovery position - artists from more than 20 countries will produce original work for this year’s Manchester International Festival. Richard Smirke speaks to chief executive John McGrath who believes next month’s arts extravaganza will be essential to the north’s happiness and prosperity.

On our news pages we hear about a new statue earmarked for Emily Williamson, the animal rights activist who ruffled feathers in Victorian society. Our letter to my younger self is cellist Julian Lloyd Webber. Plus there’s out usual vendor stories, reviews, comment, crossword, Sudoku and more.