Discussion today looks at readers’ reaction to the Brexit negotiations and the suggestion that women are better novelists than men. We also follow the latest on the people who made marriage equality possible in Australia.
To join in you can click on the links in the comments below to expand and add your thoughts. We’ll continue to highlight more comments worth reading as the day goes on.
‘Nobody cares about us’: Britons living in rest of EU voice their dismay
We asked British nationals living in the EU to tell us how they view the latest Brexit negotiations and where they see the future. Readers have been adding their own experiences in the comments.
‘I feel really sorry for all those younger people in the UK who will be stripped of this freedom’
After various stints around the world (most recently middle east), I moved to Lisbon with my wife and two small children four years ago. I got my first job in my 20s after graduating courtesy of freedom of movement; as an engineer in Germany. I had zero experience so would never have qualified for a work visa, and cross-recognition of my engineering degree meant I had legal status there as a graduate engineer. So freedom of movement has been a critical and valued part of my life, both in terms of my career, and the rights my family enjoys here now.
I probably won’t be able to vote at the next general election even though as in the last two, it will have a huge impact on me. But by then we should all have Portuguese citizenship and as such remain as EU citizens. I feel lucky that my kids will continue to enjoy the opportunities I had, and I feel really sorry for all those younger people in the UK, the overwhelming majority of which voted to remain but will be stripped of this freedom.
CaptainFlack
Labour must say it: Britain should stay in the single market after Brexit
Staying with Brexit we look at the conversation Chuka Umunna has provoked with his opinion piece today. It’s another Labour MP that one commenter mentions:
Keir Starmer doesn’t disagree with Umunna as far as I can understand Labour’s position. His point is just a technical one regarding the fact membership of the single market and customs union ends with EU membership. Thus a renegotiation would necessary regardless of whether the UK ends up replicating current arrangements in negotiations or not.
dididoit
‘Women are better writers than men’: novelist John Boyne sets the record straight
When John Boyne wrote that he believes women are better novelists than men, readers took to the thread to share their own opinions.
‘More and more it seems as though neither sex can write the other really well’
An interesting thesis, and pretty well presented. Thanks for this, John.
I will admit to having read far more many male writers than female, and probably still continue to do so.
I will also admit that in general, as Boyne says, women seem to do male characters better than men write women.
But I don’t believe they are perfect depictions either. More and more it seems as though neither sex can write the other really well (even though women generally make a better fist of it). What hope is there for trans people say, unless in novels written by trans people?
OK, I didn’t want this to be depressing and pessimistic about the future of the novel so...
1. I really need to read more books written by women; and
2. The Reading Group this month is also doing a book (albeit short stories) written by a woman. Why not give it a try? I’m going to do my best to do so.*
*Now to find an online retailer that will deliver a copy in time!
palfreyman
The marriage equality movement had ordinary people doing the extraordinary
Rodney Croome wrote for Opinion about some of the people who helped build the foundations for marriage equality in Australia. Readers have been discussing their stories.
‘It was a privilege to play a small part alongside you’
Inspiring stories, incredible people. Thank you, to all of you, to our elders and activists and allies. It was a privilege to play a small part alongside you in this piece of history. Congratulations!
daisydaisyb
Comments have been edited for length. This article will be updated throughout the day with some of the most interesting ways readers have been participating across the site.
