The article focuses on the bouquinistes of Paris, the iconic booksellers who operate from dark-green boxes along the Seine. Françoise Louvet, a veteran bouquiniste, shares her experiences and the challenges faced by the trade, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yellow Vest protests, online shopping, and the cost-of-living crisis. Jean-Marc Millière and François, other bouquinistes, discuss their sales and the adaptations they've made to survive, such as selling tourist trinkets or cataloging books online. Jérôme Callais, the president of the bouquinistes' association, is pushing for their trade to be recognized by UNESCO's Intangible Heritage list. Paris City Hall is also taking steps to rejuvenate the trade by encouraging younger booksellers. The article highlights the first bouquinistes festival, 'Paname Bouquine,' aimed at re-engaging the French public with the traditional bookstalls.

Catherine Bennett critiques the Netflix series featuring Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, suggesting it failed to dignify the couple's experiences and instead may have contributed to public indifference or ridicule. The article discusses the absence of Prince Andrew and other royal controversies from the series, implying a selective portrayal of the royal family. Bennett contrasts the series' focus on trivial matters with the serious issue of press persecution faced by the Sussexes. She notes that the series could have highlighted the couple's struggles with the media more effectively, as it overshadowed the real harassment they endured. The article also reflects on the historical context of the royal family's relationship with the media and public life.

The article discusses the renewed request by the descendants of an Ethiopian prince, Alemayehu, for the return of his remains from Windsor’s St George’s Chapel, where he was buried in 1879. The author contrasts the refusal of Queen Elizabeth II to repatriate the remains with the potential for King Charles to demonstrate a modern and inclusive approach by revising this decision. The article highlights the British royal family's history of relocating ancestral remains and questions the palace's refusal, citing practical and propriety-related objections. The author references Andrew Heavens's biography of Alemayehu, 'The Prince and the Plunder,' to provide historical context and criticizes the palace's continued claim over Alemayehu's remains, suggesting it contradicts their professed progressiveness.

The article criticizes the role of media in perpetuating misogyny, focusing on the recent controversy involving Laurence Fox and his derogatory comments about women on GB News. It highlights the BBC's role in promoting figures like Fox, who have a history of making sexist remarks. The article also discusses the broader issue of how women in the public eye are often judged based on their appearance and sexual desirability, citing examples from various public figures, including Donald Trump and Rod Liddle. The author, Catherine Bennett, argues that such attitudes reflect deep-seated misogyny and calls for a change in how women are discussed in public life.

The article discusses Boris Johnson's transition from UK politics to the international speaking circuit, with a focus on his recent signing with the Harry Walker Agency in New York for an advance of £2.5m. It critiques Johnson's oratorical style and past performances, questioning whether his approach will resonate with international audiences. The piece also touches on the support Johnson has received from wealthy benefactors like Lord Bamford and the potential challenges he may face without such backing. The author, Catherine Bennett, expresses skepticism about Johnson's ability to reinvent himself as a serious statesman, given his history of gaffes and controversial remarks, as evidenced by reactions at events like the Hindustan Times leadership summit and the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore.

Catherine Bennett, an Observer columnist, critiques the trend among British Conservative politicians to publicly engage in physical exercise, such as jogging, as a display of their leadership qualities and work ethic. She references the jogging habits of former Prime Ministers David Cameron, Boris Johnson, and Liz Truss, as well as other Tory figures like Michael Gove, George Osborne, Jeremy Hunt, and Matt Hancock. Bennett questions the effectiveness of this practice, given the recent political failures, and contrasts it with French skepticism towards public displays of exercise by politicians. She also touches on the broader implications of exercise as a political statement and the potential for vanity and attention-seeking behavior in politicians who choose to exercise publicly.

The article discusses the controversy surrounding a review of 'Legally Blonde' at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, which included body-shaming comments by critic Quentin Letts. The theatre responded by stating that disrespectful commentators would not be welcomed back. Lucy Moss, the director of 'Legally Blonde' and co-creator of 'Six', condemned the review as unacceptable. The article also touches on the broader issue of theatre criticism, the role of sensitivity and empathy in reviews, and the potential impact of overly harsh or insensitive criticism on theatres and performers. It suggests that while critics should avoid unnecessary harshness, they also have a duty to provide honest reviews to inform the public. The author, Catherine Bennett, reflects on the balance between freedom of speech and cultural sensitivity in theatre criticism.

The article discusses the potential conflict of interest arising from the attendance of several journalists at George Osborne's wedding, given his controversial tenure as Chancellor and current media ventures. It questions whether personal relationships between politicians and journalists can influence media coverage. The article also critiques the new podcast 'Political Currency' hosted by Osborne and Ed Balls, suggesting it may serve to sanitize Osborne's reputation rather than critically examine his political decisions. The author, Catherine Bennett, expresses skepticism about the impartiality of media figures who have personal ties to the subjects they cover.

The article discusses how Nigel Farage's participation in the reality TV show 'I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!' hosted by Ant and Dec, has potentially altered public perception of him. Farage, who has been a controversial figure in British politics, was paid £1.5m by ITV to appear on the show. The author suggests that the show's environment and the lack of challenging camp mates allowed Farage to present a more benign persona, distancing himself from his reputation as a 'mean-spirited, sexist xenophobe.' The article raises concerns that this could influence his political career post-show, as he may lead the Reform party or disrupt the centre right. The author, Catherine Bennett, criticizes the show for its role in this 'jungle-washing' and reflects on the implications for the show's future content.

The article discusses the societal implications and marketing strategies of the anti-ageing industry, focusing on the recent launch of Lyma's new skincare product. The author, Catherine Bennett, reflects on the historical context of women's beauty standards and critiques the notion that stopping the signs of ageing is a noble cause. She mentions the high price of Lyma's skincare package and the celebrity endorsement by Gwyneth Paltrow, while also noting the scrutiny and regulatory breaches faced by Lyma's previous products. The article suggests that the anti-ageing industry perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards and gender-specific expectations, with technology adding to the burden of women's bodily maintenance. Bennett also touches on the double standards of ageing for men and women, highlighting the pressure on women to maintain a youthful appearance.