That was the year that was 2007

Most Depressing Political Argument of the Year: Whether the United States should be in the business of torturing people or not.

Opera: Washington National Opera’s superb production of Janacek’s Jenufa was the operatic highlight of the year for me. Terrificly dark and pitiless and gloomy: just the sort of emotionally knackering experience you want from a night out.

Book of the Year: Well, the 144th edition of Wisden did not disappoint: 1664 pages of cricketing goodness and an annual treat to be cherished. Among other books published this year: John Robb’s Brave New War was a disturbing highlight. Brian Doherty’s history of the American libertarian movement, Radicals for Capitalism, is too long and gets bogged down in internecine minutiae at times but it’s still packed with goodies and is a bracing, necessary reminder that there’s more to life than the Elephant and the Donkey. 

Literary Discovery: 2007 was the year I first read anything by Philip K Dick.