'Welcome to our November issue. Timelily, given recent concerns about government intimidation of whistleblowers and journalists, we lead with a strong article by Kieran Pender on the culture of secrecy and the need for vigilance and protest – not apathy and accommodation. Elsewhere, ABR Fellow Felicity Plunkett reviews Charlotte Wood’s new novel, and last year’s Fellow, Beejay Silcox, reviews the most ballyhooed book of the year, Margaret Atwood’s The Testaments, which she finds wanting. In the arts section, leading arts critics and professionals name their arts highlights of the year.' (Editorial)