Alexandra Wilson

Opera is often dismissed as outdated and excessive, and perceived to be characterised by excessive passions, sumptuous costumes, and ill-mannered divas. In reality, however, operas address the most fundamental and universal of human concerns - love, death, jealousy, greed, and power. Revealing the diverse reasons behind operas lasting appeal, opera champion and expert Alexandra Wilson provides a lucid and engaging introduction to the agendas that have governed its composition, production and reception over the last four centuries, and explains the reasons behind its enduring appeal.

An intelligent and immersive courtroom drama, a compelling new voice in legal crime fiction ANDREA MARATHERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY MURDER.A young black man is arrested for murder. The case against him is strong - a mum and a teacher saw him standing over a body in a park, a knife still in hand.But his up-and-coming barrister Rosa knows how people prejudge, but most of all, she suspects something is amiss. This boy comes from her neighbourhood. From a good family. So she begins to dig...As Rosa discovers secret upon terrible secret, she moves closer to finding a testimony that could win the case - or bring the whole establishment down on her.The Witness is a frightening thriller about a young lawyer who will do anything to set her defendant free.This is exactly what its like to be a criminal barrister at the sharp end of Legal Aid work, and an important corrective to the cliche that all barristers are posh, white and loaded. An authentic, tense legal thriller from an author who knows what shes talking aboutHARRIET TYCEHer striking debut shows she is expert at using the form to highlight aspects of everyday ethnic minority experience: the drip-drip of countless micro-aggressions, and Rosas daunting disadvantages when facing white middle-class opponents in courtSUNDAY TIMESA gripping insight into the intricacies of the British legal system and the assumptions that are made. The Witness is a compelling story, told by an original new voice, with a breathtaking conclusionROBERT GOLDA powerful and authentic legal thriller . . . a tense, twisty read that highlights just how frightening the legal and penal system can be when your future depends upon who the jury believes JO CALLAGHANFresh, eye-opening, rage-inducing, humane. A coruscating indictment of a legal system held together by Gaffer tape and bias TAMAR COHENAlexandra Wilsons tense and very twisty crime thriller is a powerful page-turner about the importance of family, the burden of guilt, and the racism that pervades our legal systems. A superb and timely debut!ASHLEY TATEA twisty courtroom thriller that is destined to become a TV dramaI PAPER

**NOW WITH NEW AFTERWORD AND READING GROUP QUESTIONS**An absolute triumph; a compelling and courageous memoir forcing the legal profession to confront uncomfortable truths about race and class. Alexandra Wilson is a bold and vital voice. This is a book that urgently needs to be read by everyone inside, and outside, the justice system. THE SECRET BARRISTER A riveting book in the best tradition of courtroom dramas but from the fresh perspective of a young female mixed-race barrister. That Alexandra is "often" mistaken for the defendant shows how important her presence at the bar really is.MATT RUDD, THE SUNDAY TIMES MAGAZINEThis is the story of a young woman who overcame all the obstacles a very old profession could throw at her, and she survived, with her integrity intact.BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAHAlexandra Wilson was a teenager when her dear family friend Ayo was stabbed on his way home from football. Ayos death changed Alexandra. She felt compelled to enter the legal profession in search of answers. As a junior criminal and family law barrister, Alexandra finds herself navigating a world and a set of rules designed by a privileged few. A world in which fellow barristers sigh with relief when a racist judge retires: Ive got a black kid today and he would have had no hope. In her debut book, In Black and White, Alexandra re-creates the tense courtroom scenes, the heart-breaking meetings with teenage clients, and the moments of frustration and triumph that make up a young barristers life. Alexandra shows us how it feels to defend someone who hates the colour of your skin, or someone you suspect is guilty. We see what it is like for children coerced into county line drug deals and the damage that can be caused when we criminalise teenagers. Alexandras account of what she has witnessed as a young mixed-race barrister is in equal parts shocking, compelling, confounding and powerful. An inspirational, clear-eyed account of life as a junior barrister is made all the more exceptional by the determination, passion, humanity and drive of the author. Anyone interested in seeing how the law really works should read it.SARAH LANGFORDThe personal narrative of a young female lawyer of mixed heritage who is defying the soft bigotry of low expectations by sharing her journey inspires us all to do the same in our own way, and this is a powerful message which needs to be shared. DR TUNDE OKEWALE MBE, FOUNDER OF URBAN LAWYERSA refreshingly honest account of the challenges faced by a young female barrister of mixed heritageJUDY KHAN QC, JOINT HEAD OF GARDEN COURT CHAMBERS

Pocos compositores parecen tan esenciales en el repertorio operistico como Giacomo Puccini, favorito del publico mundial, si bien su consideracion entre criticos y academicos actuales es desigual, division de opiniones que ya sufrio en su tiempo el propio musico. Su obra se inscribio en el centro de la profunda crisis de identidad nacional que, tras la unificacion, atenazo a Italia a principios del siglo xx, y convirtio a Puccini en un "problema": mientras que para unos era el simbolo de la decadencia finisecular, para otros era el emblema de la nueva italianidad y el progreso. Este fascinante libro es el primer estudio en profundidad de las operas de Puccini y el primer intento serio de contextualizar al compositor en su entorno politico, estetico e intelectual, identificando las ideologias que dieron forma a las diversas reacciones antagonicas en vida del compositor. Un libro revelador tanto para los amantes de la opera como para todo lector interesado en la vida artistica e intelectual de Italia en los albores del convulso siglo pasado.