Sylvia Plath at 90

The Independent’s entertainment newsletter [The Independent]( October 29, 2022 [View in browser](   In The Silent Woman, Janet Malcolm’s masterpiece about the Sylvia Plath biography industry, she wrote, “Life, of course, never gets anyone’s entire attention. Death always remains interesting, pulls us, draws us.” She was right. But this week marks 90 years since Plath was born, so [I’ve written about why her life is so much more interesting than her death](. She was a trailblazing writer who, in turn, has inspired so much creativity – whether it’s Malcolm’s incredible book, or… [that song Belle & Sebastian wrote about her](. This week marks 90 years since the birth of Sylvia Plath (Shutterstock) In very big publishing news, we found out this week that Prince Harry’s [memoir will be released in January](, and it will be called… Spare. With a [title as provocative as that](, it sounds like his book will be as incendiary as we’ve been expecting. Will it sell as many copies as CoHo though? Amanda Whiting wrote this week about [how Colleen Hoover became one of the world’s biggest authors](, partly because of her devoted fandom on BookTok. Also this week: The House of Dragon's finale [definitely delivered on the dragon thing](. [One-star review klaxon](for box office bomb Bros. Jimmy Carr did not constructively add to [the "cancel culture" debate](. Louis Theroux [got cuddly with Stormzy](. King Charles went to [The Repair Shop](. One of the best TV shows of last year is back and [it’s still really, really good](. And… [Annabel Nugent’s lovely Daniel Brühl interview]( has made me want to go and track down my Good Bye Lenin DVD. [The Saturday Interview – Luke Evans]( [Oscars image]( Luke Evans is releasing a new album, 'A Song For You' (Edward Cooke) For [this week’s Saturday Interview](, Roisin O’Connor had a [brilliant chat with Beauty and the Beast and The Hobbit star Luke Evans]( about his new album. He talked about why singing is more vulnerable than acting, whether James Bond’s sexuality really matters, and his duet with Nicole Kidman. Which, by the way, is gorgeous and [will make you tingly](. [Oscars image]( Luke Evans as Bard the Bowman and Orlando Bloom as Legolas in Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit' (Warner Bros) Read an extract from our Saturday Interview below… His rugged quality – the furrowed brow and intense gaze – likely encouraged Ben Whishaw, who played inventor Q to Daniel Craig’s 007, to tip Evans as a contender for the next James Bond. Certainly, he fits Ian Fleming's vision of Bond: six-foot tall, dark hair, slim, muscular build. Evans said in September that he’d “jump” at the chance to play 007, commenting: “I don’t know what the current temperature is with audiences, whether they care enough to worry about what James Bond does in the bedroom.” Was he talking about the character’s sexuality, or his? “Both, I suppose,” he says. “[My sexuality] hasn’t had any impact on any of the roles I’ve played, my slate is so diverse, so varied in such a brilliant way. I’ve played everything and no one seems to have a problem with that.” Also, he points out, Bond has changed. “We’re not in the Roger Moore [era] where he sleeps with five women per film, that’s not really what he’s about any more. That was the point I was making [in September]. I think people are more interested in the spectacle, the story.” He’s a fan of Craig’s, crediting him with turning around what was already a much-loved franchise. “It’s huge. What are they gonna do next?! They’re so fantastic, I love the movies and whoever gets the role will have very big shoes to fill.” [Read the full interview here](   What to binge this week [The Devil's Hour]( Last week I recommended Netflix's [The Midnight Club](, in which a gang of terminally ill kids tell each other scary stories. I'm continuing the theme of things that will creep you out – it is nearly Halloween, after all – with a shout out for [The Devil's Hour on Amazon Prime](. It has a creepy kid in it, but, as Amanda Whiting wrote [in her four-star review](, you need to watch more to find out exactly how creepy a kid we are dealing with. I will try and summon the bravery. 'The Devil's Hour' is on Amazon Prime Benjamin Chivers in 'The Devil's Hour' (Amazon Prime)   Out and about [Tammy Faye]( The Almeida's new musical about televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker has sequins, silly wigs, and songs by Elton John. I loved it – [here's my review](.   INDYBEST / [BEST BUYS]( Stranger Things and Quiksilver launch an Eighties-inspired collection that’s worn by the cast in season 4 As the second half of series four unfolds, inject some retro style into your wardrobe [Read more](     Essential reading [The 17 absolute worst sex scenes in movie history]( [The 17 absolute worst sex scenes in movie history]( [Furious mother condemns local cinema after it bans children from new ‘Minions’ film]( [Furious mother condemns local cinema after it bans children from new ‘Minions’ film](   OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE [Race Report] The Race Report Fortnightly, 7am (UK time) Written by Nadine White [Join now]( [Health Check] Health Check Every Thursday, 7am (UK time) Written by Rebecca Thomas [Join now]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's entertainment newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's entertainment newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Culture_Newsletter_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.