Holding Lightning by Emily Lordi review – an intimate portrait of Whitney Houston
An empathetic biography of the the singer recasts her tumultuous later career as a triumph of self-expression
Sleeping Beauties by David Byrne review – a quirky journey through the afterlife of invention
The Talking Heads frontman considers dormant ideas that made a comeback – from Indian irrigation to Kafka
‘A genre-defying monument’: how Sign o’ the Times captured Prince at his creative peak
As a new book on the Paisley Park polymath is released, author John McKie explains why Prince’s 1987 album is the ultimate showcase of his genius
From Youth to Heart of the Beast: the week in rave reviews
Sharon Horgan takes on divorce in a new series about life as a single fiftysomething, while Brad Pitt makes his way across Alaska with a loyal hound. Here’s the pick of the week’s culture, taken from the Guardian’s best-rated reviews
Can’t Get You Out of My Head by Michael Cragg review – what’s the secret of Kylie’s genius?
The pop star emerges as a great unifier in this in-depth yet heartfelt portrait of an Aussie icon
Paul, John … and Yvonne? The French novelist asking: what if a woman had written the Beatles’ greatest hits?
Celebrated thriller writer Michel Bussi explains why the plot of his new novel Code Yesterday isn’t so far fetched, saying ‘I wanted to give women revenge’
‘I could get laid every night of the week!’: punk icon Legs McNeil on booze, benders and dating Sinéad O’Connor
As he releases a tell-all book, the Punk magazine founder and self-described ‘fuck-up’ holds forth on 1970s excess, the American roots of punk and why the Beatles are ‘stupid’
Last Seen to Angine de Poitrine: the week in rave reviews
Patrick Brammall and Maxine Peake star in a propulsive new drama, and the microtonal polka-dotted alien duo return to the live stage. Here’s the pick of the week’s culture, taken from the Guardian’s best-rated reviews
‘I’m amazed a human being could do so much’: Gloria Steinem celebrated by Margaret Atwood, Dua Lipa, Lynda Carter and more
Authors, activists and admirers pay tribute to the feminist icon who died this week at the age of 92
From Late Fame to Katseye: the week in rave reviews
Willem Dafoe stars as an ageing bohemian being embraced by a younger generation, while the troubled K-pop stars put the emphasis on their songs. Here’s the pick of the week’s culture, taken from the Guardian’s best-rated reviews
Holly Throsby: ‘I was proud to not make a breakup album’
The writer and musician on returning to music, finding herself, and why right now is a terrifying time to be an artist
Laurie Anderson’s next manuscript to be locked away for 88 years in Future Library
Grammy award-winning American artist selected as 13th person to submit written work to Oslo-based project
‘In walked this big bundle of energy’: the day Dolly Parton came to Rotherham
Country star came to South Yorkshire town in 2007 for UK launch of the Imagination Library, her book donation scheme
From Dalliance to Billy Strings: the week in rave reviews
Hugo Weaving leads a delightful drama about the trials and tribulations of a bunch of friends of a certain age, and the bluegrass wunderkind returns with a remarkable new album
From Ludwig to Ariana Grande: the week in rave reviews
David Mitchell’s quirky puzzle-maker is back with the low-stakes murder mystery, while the US pop superstar’s Eternal Sunshine tour continues its London residency