Guy Somerset

Guy Somerset lives in Wellington. He is a former books and culture editor of the New Zealand Listener and books editor of The Dominion-Post. Guy was born in Cambridge, England, in 1965.

Books
Jul 5, 2018

Wherefore Art thou? Paul Simon's 'defining biography' is missing something

A new biography is being lauded as an 'inspiring narrative that helps us at last understand Paul Simon'. But is that possible when there's no sign of Art Garfunkel?

Read on.

Books
Jan 16, 2018

In which Jennifer Egan lays a great big egg

Guy Somerset compares the new novel by Jennifer Egan to Winona Ryder's performance in Stranger Things. It's not a compliment.

Read on.

Media
Aug 9, 2017

The comic strip journalist who reports on the fallout from Fukushima

On the eve of his appearance at a Victoria University event in Wellington, comic book author Fumio Obata talks to Guy Somerset about his ongoing project chronicling the aftermath of the Fukushima tsunami and nuclear disaster.

Read on.

Books
Apr 20, 2016

In which the towering genius of John Peel is examined (includes sensational anecdote about playing a Brian Eno-Robert Fripp record backwards)

John Peel! He was the guv'nor. Guy Somerset reviews a new book which examines the great DJ"s influence on the world of rock.

Read on.

Books
Mar 1, 2016

In which Julian Barnes toddles along on an intellectual daytrip

Yet another English novelist - this time, Julian Barnes - makes-believe the bad old days of the Soviet regime. Guy Somerset grabs his coat.

Read on.

Books
Dec 1, 2015

Books: The Best Books of 2015 According to a Panel of 10 Experts. Our Third Expert – Guy Somerset

All week this week we feature 10 readers who choose their favourite books of this year. Come in, number three in the series: Guy Somerset.

Read on.

Books
Nov 26, 2015

Books: Why Do You Talk Such Stupid Nonsense – Guy Somerset Reads the Riot Act on Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello sits by the fire and tells stories about himself well into the night, and into the next day, and the day after that.

Read on.

Books
Nov 5, 2015

Books: Will The Real James Wood Stand Up? – Guy Somerset on the World’s Greatest Literary Critic

A new collection of essays by the masterly New Yorker writer James Wood.

Read on.

Books
Oct 15, 2015

Books: “You remind me of everything I hate about women”

Books page legend Guy Somerset interviews Louise Wareham Leonard, the long-windedly named author of a collection of short vignettes about the time she met Lou Reed, Michael Stipe and 50 other men.

Read on.

The Spinoff is made possible by the generous support of the following organisations.
Please help us by supporting them.