Best Of: Novelist Douglas Stuart / ‘Half Man’ Actor Richard Gadd

Douglas Stuart’s new novel, *John of John*, examines the intersection of faith, isolation, and secret queer identities within a conservative Scottish island community, drawing on his own experiences growing up in Glasgow. Cal and his father navigate hidden desires while struggling with the decline of the traditional textile industry. The latest television adaptation of *Lord of the Flies* offers a faithful, haunting portrayal of the descent into savagery among stranded schoolboys, emphasizing the absence of social influence. Richard Gadd’s new HBO series, *Half Man*, explores the dangers of emotional repression and the complexities of male relationships in 1980s Scotland. Gadd reflects on his creative process, emphasizing the importance of radical honesty in depicting human flaws and the struggle to maintain personal boundaries in the face of trauma.