09 April 2007
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Cover story
France: Vive la différence?
French voters go to the polls in two weeks in search of change but fearful of its consequences. Gérard Grunberg, who introduces our special report, wonders if any of the candidates has what it takes to lead the country out of its crisis
Features
The days of grandeur are over
Whoever wins France's presidential elections will enjoy more power than any other western leader. Expect big changes in foreign policy, from America to Africa
Radical Islam: ministers get the message
Martin Bright on how we are slowly discovering the way to engage with Muslim groups plus Ruth Kelly on a British version of Islam
Lyons: City of outsiders
Beneath the civilised, bourgeois exterior of the "gateway to the south" lie the sharpest racial and social divisions in France. By Andrew Hussey Photographs by Nick Danziger
Lost youth
Young French people are deeply frustrated by lack of opportunity and a lack of respect from their parents' generation.
Regulars
Where have the lefty Christians gone?
Nowadays going to church is something to keep quiet at left-liberal social gatherings
Poisoned chalice
Set by Corvus Maximus We asked you to provide job descriptions for posts that are best avoided
Culture
The last auteur
Director Bruno Dumont talks about the decline of art-house cinema in France and explains how he doesn't "give a toss" about French viewers
Living colour
TTC are the latest hip-hop sensation in Paris. French rap has got its groove back, they tell Dan Hancox
Theatre
They call it puppet love
One of the Bard's lesser-known works is vividly brought to life by marionettes Venus and Adonis Little Angel Theatre, London N1
Film
It's not the end of the world
Moments of hope pierce the gloom for the characters in this Finnish comedy Lights in the Dusk (PG) dir: Aki Kaurismäki
Television
Private moments on display
Celebrity therapy sessions may be entertaining, but are a shabby enterprise Shrink Rap More4
Radio
Now, lie down on this couch
Thought-provoking drama from an unlikely source Dr Freud Will See You Now Mr Hitler Radio 4
Books
Visceral
One of France's brightest literary stars, the writer and actor Rachid Djaïdani, portrays the seamy side of life in the banlieues in this exclusive extract from his new novel
Gilded youth
Caroline Wyatt talks to French lit idol Florian Zeller about Islam, fortune-telling and his precocious success
Myths of conquest
Malinche Laura Esquivel Simon & Schuster, 208pp, £10.99 ISBN 141652214X Inés of My Soul Isabel Allende Fourth Estate, 321pp, £17.99 ISBN 000724116X
It’s all our fault
The Evil Empire: 100 ways that England ruined the world Steven A Grasse Quirk Books, 192pp, £9.99 ISBN 1594741735
A rake's progress
You Cannot Live As I Have Lived and Not End Up Like This Terence Blacker Ebury Press, 342pp, £12.99 ISBN 0091913861
Uncertain world
The Vertigo of Late Modernity Jock Young Sage Publications, 213pp, £21.99 ISBN 1412935741
