The Observer The New Review – 2 August 2026

Summary

Making Great Yarmouth Great Again — once a jewel of the British seaside, the town now believes Rupert Lowe's far-right politics can save it, reports Miles Ellingham in The Observer New Review (2 August 2026). Mark Haddon tells Tom Gatti how he escaped the brain fog of long Covid, and Razek Francois Bitar, a Syrian opera singer, reveals the dark side of the Assad regime's cultural ambitions.

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The 2 August New Review leads with Great Yarmouth — a detailed on-the-ground report on why a Labour-held seaside town is turning to the hard right. Ellingham interviews residents, activists and Lowe supporters. Mark Haddon discusses recovering from long Covid and contributes eight new short stories. The Syrian opera singer Razek Francois Bitar tells Chloe Hadjimatheou about being used as a cultural asset by the Assad regime. John Naughton warns about Silicon Valley's dystopian AI fantasy.

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Agenda includes Killian Fox's picks and Kathleen Jamie's nature writing. Critics cover the week's arts. Books feature fiction and nonfiction. Puzzles and television listings complete the issue. A strong start to August with two major features.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story

p.8-18 · Making Great Yarmouth Great Again
Miles Ellingham reports on why a once-prosperous seaside town believes Rupert Lowe's far-right politics can solve its problems. Interviews with residents, activists and the man himself.

▸ Features

p.8-18 · Mark Haddon: escaping long Covid brain fog
Tom Gatti interviews Haddon about his recovery from long Covid. Eight new short stories are published alongside the interview.

p.16 · Razek Francois Bitar: Syria's cultural pawn
Chloe Hadjimatheou interviews the Syrian opera singer about being used by the Assad regime for cultural propaganda.

p. — · John Naughton: Silicon Valley's dystopian AI fantasy

▸ Regulars

p. — · Agenda: Killian Fox, Kathleen Jamie
p. — · Critics, Books, Puzzles, TV Listings

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Editor's Take

The Great Yarmouth feature is essential reporting on the ground — Ellingham doesn't caricature the town or its voters. Mark Haddon's long Covid piece is personal and practical. Syrian opera singer story offers a rare perspective. Weaknesses: Naughton's AI piece covers familiar territory. A strong issue overall.

Strengths
• Great Yarmouth reporting is nuanced, on-the-ground journalism
• Mark Haddon long Covid story is personal and useful
• Syrian opera singer feature offers a unique perspective

Weaknesses
• Naughton AI column is familiar to regular readers
• Features section packs too much into one spread

Verdict: Recommended — two major features make this a strong New Review.