Novels succeed without ostentatious writing
‘‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.’’
Tinker Tailor Student Spy
We must confront idols’ flaws
We must confront idols’ flaws
It had started to rain when I heard about Kobe Bryant’s death.
Behind true crime’s appeal
Behind true crime’s appeal
I was in the pub the other night with a few friends after a particularly strenuous rock climbing session when my friend Sebastian told me to close my eyes.
Why I’m shaving my head and how you can support me
Why I’m shaving my head and how you can support me
On February 29, 2020, I will be shaving my head.
Discrimination at Oxford Union
Discrimination at Oxford Union
Winter is gathering here in Oxford, the streets are icy, and it seems that all hell has broken loose in the Oxford Union.
Special qualities make a friendship
Special qualities make a friendship
On Saturday, I completed my 25th revolution around the sun. In other words, I turned 25 years old; a full quarter of a century.
Keeping imagination and creativity alive as facts loom large
Keeping imagination and creativity alive as facts loom large
Among his other talents, my father is a talented storyteller. So talented, in fact, that after countless bedtime stories, I would toss and turn in my bed, conjuring up all sorts of terrifying...
Visited in dreams by lost loved ones
Visited in dreams by lost loved ones
Last night, I dreamed of him again. My siblings and I were sitting on the sand at Waihi Beach, squabbling over our picnic lunch, and boasting of the waves we were going to catch. John was to my...
Facing realities of colonisation
Facing realities of colonisation
In a rebuttal to a previous article , Emeritus Prof Olssen accuses me of making ''specious'' claims about the legacy and character of Captain James Cook.
Paucity of New Zealand history education should be addressed
Paucity of New Zealand history education should be addressed
I was wandering aimlessly around the airport on Tuesday morning, after arriving horrifically early for my flight, when I chanced upon a brightly coloured children's picture book.
Familiar weirdness of home
Familiar weirdness of home
After a long and harrowing journey, I was finally home.
Reflecting on my year in Oxford
Reflecting on my year in Oxford
Nearing the end of her first year in Oxford, Jean Balchin says it can, at times, be a dark and lonely place.
Choose words carefully if dealing with suicide
Choose words carefully if dealing with suicide
Every time I hear the phrase ''committing suicide'' it feels like someone has sucker-punched me in the stomach, writes Jean Balchin.
Unjustified prejudice hinders treatment of depression
Unjustified prejudice hinders treatment of depression
Every morning, shortly after waking, I carefully press out two yellow and green pills from their silver foil and pop them in my mouth. I swallow them with a mouthful of coffee, and then go about my...
Sign language is a valuable addition
Sign language is a valuable addition
I was scrolling through Facebook, as is my wont, when I came across a video of the inimitable Jacinda Ardern, signing out a greeting in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL).
Hurting and healing: dealing with the physical pain of grief
Hurting and healing: dealing with the physical pain of grief
I thought I knew what grief was like. It was constant tears, a blotchy face, days spent in bed, a wistful longing for the dead. It was gliding mournfully around the house, lilies at a funeral,...
Modern life in all its messiness
Modern life in all its messiness
The lights are dimmed, the wine is flowing. A family sits around a table in a posh restaurant, their smiles forced and cutlery scraping harshly.
'It's made our faith stronger'
'It's made our faith stronger'
Almost two weeks have passed since an evil man entered a holy place and took the lives of 50 innocent people. Instead of penning one of my usual columns, today’s article is devoted to two of my...
Obsessive delight in popularising memes
Obsessive delight in popularising memes
Change My Mind. Distracted Boyfriend. Exit 12. Tide Pods. Doge. Grumpy Cat.
Symbol of pride delight to see
Symbol of pride delight to see
Oxford is slowly warming up. The hours of watery sunshine are lengthening day by day, and daffodils are beginning to poke their heads up in the muddy parks and lawns.