In the Critics section of this week's New Statesman, we have a superb essay by Margaret Drabble on Van Gogh's letters, which are the centrepiece of "The Real Van Gogh", a forthcoming exhibition at the Royal Academy. To read that piece, you'll have to buy a copy of the magazine.

In the meantime, here's a selection from the other riches on offer this week in The Critics:

Books: Sarah Churchwell on the phenomenon of Sarah Palin; Leo Robson on Frank Kermode's homage to E M Forster; Michael Sayeau on Jonathan Lethem's latest novel, Chronic City.

Film: Ryan Gilbey on the new film from Hirokazu Kore-eda.

Radio: Antonia Quirke on the remarkable self-regard of Lady Antonia Fraser.

Television: Rachel Cooke on a history of the British family.