It's been fifty years since Fahrenheit 451 was written, and it's every bit as relevant today (the Babu has the Baghdad library, the NCERT textbooks, the persecution of tehelka and the passing of the Patriot Act in the US very much on his mind). Should Ray Bradbury be cloned?

Apropos anniversaries, this is also Evelyn Waugh's centenary year. Aveek Sen, by far one of the best literary commentators to be found in the Indian media today (standard disclaimer: the Babu's never met the man. He just likes his style) rereads The Loved One in tribute.