Campaigners at English Pen are giving Chris Grayling a kicking by asking famous writers to join a “mass protest” by naming the book they would most like to send a prisoner. Martin Amis, Carol Ann Duffy, Hermione Lee and many other authors have so far taken part, suggesting classic reads for lags by the likes of Dickens and Mark Twain. Guido is tickled however by the book chosen by the Guardian’s foreign correspondent Luke Harding. He recommends:
“The Snowden Files, Luke Harding. The book describes how an overweening state can behave in an undemocratic manner (among other things)”
Modest much.