We have cause to rejoice once more. Or do we? JK Rowling's newest book, The Casual Vacancy, has hit the shelves and is ready to be snapped up. Pottermaniacs could not have been more pleased since the Dark Lord was vanquished. The day we read the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the last of arguably the most popular book series on Earth, was a dark one.
Would there ever be another book, fans wondered, that was so compelling, so full of intricate plots woven together into a rich tapestry of adventure and unexpected twists? Would all we have to look forward to in life be a future as bleak as if a Dementor had sucked out all the hope and happiness from inside our souls? And a small, realistic voice in our heads whispered yes, because the teenage Harry we had adored had grown up, got married and had three kids in the last book. He had crossed over from volatile, exciting youth into the grown-up world, and would hold our attention no more.
As I picked up The Casual Vacancy, I got a nagging feeling that Rowling had abandoned us teenagers by writing this book. As her young readers had matured, Rowling had reportedly made the transition into adult writing with aplomb. The latest book is all about the undercurrents of tension and darkness in a picturesque English town called Pagford. It is far more reminiscent of real life than a tale of wizards and witches escaping on a dragon after robbing a bank run by goblins.
A series by another author recently caught my eye: the Theodore Boone novels by John Grisham. In contrast to Rowling, Grisham started out as an author of legal thrillers for grown-ups, but successfully made the switch to writing about a 13-year-old boy, Theo Boone. Boone seems to be the sort of person who exemplifies what wonderful things we insignificant youngsters of the world can achieve. He is a young lawyer, knowing far more about the judicial system than most university graduates do, and likes to sort out his friends' problems. Winning a case in animal court, for example, had the added bonus of impressing the prettiest girl in his class. He's sort of a Nancy Drew or one of the Trenchcoat Twins, but far less irritating.
In fact, the shelves are brimming with teenage geniuses. I also couldn't resist picking up Eoin Colfer's sagas Artemis Fowl and The Last Guardian. Artemis is a criminal mastermind who uncovers a whole colony of magical creatures living below Earth's surface. These fairies, elves and dwarfs aren't your typical Disney wonder-beings, but technologically savvy smart-mouths who don't appreciate Artemis trying to steal their gold.
What they have in common with Harry Potter is vivid: visually dramatic storylines in a fantastic world that is impossible to believe in, but great fun to read about. For us teenagers, Hogwarts, with all its trick staircases and Whomping Willows, will still stand out as a far nicer place to live in than the realistic Pagford.
The writer is a 17-year-old student in Dubai.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Naga
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Barcelona 3
Messi (27’, 32’, 87’)
Leganes 1
El Zhar (68’)
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The specs
Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder
Power: 70bhp
Torque: 66Nm
Transmission: four-speed manual
Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000
On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970
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Gulf Under 19s
Pools
A – Dubai College, Deira International School, Al Ain Amblers, Warriors
B – Dubai English Speaking College, Repton Royals, Jumeirah College, Gems World Academy
C – British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Yasmina Academy
D – Dubai Exiles, Jumeirah English Speaking School, English College, Bahrain Colts
Recent winners
2018 – Dubai College
2017 – British School Al Khubairat
2016 – Dubai English Speaking School
2015 – Al Ain Amblers
2014 – Dubai College
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Specs – Taycan 4S
Engine: Electric
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 571bhp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh431,800
Specs – Panamera
Engine: 3-litre V6 with 100kW electric motor
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 455bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: from Dh431,800
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed