logo
Check out summer camp staycation offers at these Abu Dhabi hotels

Check out summer camp staycation offers at these Abu Dhabi hotels

When school's out, keeping the little ones entertained is a full-time job in itself. But what if you could tick off your summer holiday and the kids' summer camp in one go?
This year, when you enjoy a sun-soaked staycation in Abu Dhabi, the little ones get a full camp experience. Sounds like a win for everyone.
Running from Tuesday July 1 to Sunday August 31, 2025, you can book a 6-night, 7-day stay at select hotels across the capital city to enjoy access to an exciting summer camp experience for the kids at no extra cost.
Whatever it is that floats your kids' boats – reading, playing with slime, venturing outdoors, movies or board games – rest assured they'll love it and will be in safe hands while you're out enjoying your book by the poolside or lunching at a world-class restaurant facing the sea.
Hotels bringing the summer camp fun to your staycation
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
At Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, your family stay comes with daily access to the Kids Palace, which is a miniature world of learning, laughter and play.
Rixos Marina
Meanwhile, over at Rixos Marina, the Rixos Kids Club turns summer into a non-stop mix of games, activities and shows, with sessions tailored for ages four to twelve.
Jumeirah Saadiyat Island Resort
For something more island-style, Jumeirah Saadiyat Island Resort offers a serene setting for you to slow down and a Kids Club for the young ones. There are plenty of supervised activities to keep them thoroughly entertained.
While they're having a blast, you'll have plenty of time for a trip to the spa or a long overdue date at the trendiest spot in town.
Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi makes things even sweeter with 20 percent off dining for grown-ups and complimentary bed and breakfast for the kids.
Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
And if you're heading to Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, the Explorer Kids Club at Aladdin's Cave is where the real summer magic happens, with age-appropriate groups, fun themes and creative activities all day long.
So while the kids are off building new friendships and learning new skills, you can sit back, switch off and enjoy your summer holiday the way it was meant to be.
Learn more: visitabudhabi.ae/summer-camp-staycation

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Elaia Dubai review: Mediterranean dishes with a fun twist, from burrata to baklava
Elaia Dubai review: Mediterranean dishes with a fun twist, from burrata to baklava

The National

time3 hours ago

  • The National

Elaia Dubai review: Mediterranean dishes with a fun twist, from burrata to baklava

Mediterranean food has long been synonymous with comforting dishes and fresh ingredients brimming with flavour. At Elaia, which opened in Dubai Marina in May, dishes come from all around the Mediterranean region, featuring classics with a subtle twist to create a delicious blend of familiar and novel flavours. The setting Finding the restaurant can be tricky if you are unfamiliar with the Pier 7 entrance, which is right past Dubai Marina Mall. You can hand over your car to the valet at the get-off point on the buzzing roundabout or park in the mall and walk over from level one instead. From Pier 7, take a second lift up to the fourth floor and, almost instantly, the atmosphere changes to a dimly lit but lively setting. Hit songs from the 2000s play in the background, while Greek mythology-inspired ornaments set the mood. The restaurant has an expansive view of the twinkling Dubai Marina. As the sun sets over the horizon, the water changes colour and the glimmering buildings melt into the skyline, morphing into something reminiscent of a painting. In the dining room, an air of intimacy is palpable thanks to the low-hanging chandeliers, plus warm lamps placed on every table. The vibe Elaia is Greek for olive tree, an integral element of the Mediterranean region, which is also known for its fresh flavours and sharing-style plates. 'We wanted the menu to reflect the sharing concept because Elaia is a social venue; you come here to share,' says Aleix Garcia, founder of Infini Concepts. 'We wanted to create something that was not just a restaurant, but more of a bistro with quality produce and good service,' he says. Strongly influenced by Greek culture and mythology, the restaurant's interior is replete with large painted murals and golden ornaments. 'We wanted to respect Greek mythology with a bit of creativity and a modern touch,' says Garcia, alluding to the murals hand-painted by Maria Kova, who specialises in abstract art. The food, meanwhile, represents the Spanish, Italian and Greek people working at the restaurant. 'We drew a lot of inspiration from what they actually grew up with,' says head chef Etienne Mieny, 42, who adds that he sources fish, olive oil and a range of other produce straight from the Mediterranean region. 'We just looking to create a homey, family-style environment where people can be themselves and spend time with those they love,' he adds. The menu My dining companion and I start our meal with tzatziki (Dh38), a cold yogurt-based dip that comes with cucumber, dill and a drizzle of Italian olive oil, plus warm pita bread on the side. It's well-balanced but, having tried tzatziki in the Aegean, I found this version lacking the anticipated flavour punch of garlic. Fortunately, the prawns saganaki (Dh62) starter meets expectations. The prawns are laid in a tangy, herby tomato sauce with cheese cubes, and are rich in flavour. If, like me, your spice tolerance is high, you might need to add more chilli to this dish. The Italian-inspired Sorrento salad (Dh78) takes the form of a ball of burrata served on a bed of marinated zucchini ribbons drizzled in balsamic vinegar and topped with mustard seeds. The smooth cheese is cut open and garnished with salt and pepper before being served with basil leaves for a melt-in-the-mouth experience. For the mains, the cornfed baby chicken (Dh155) is a highlight. The chicken is grilled and tender to the bite, marinated in a peppery-umami sauce with caramelised mushrooms, all reduced in non-alcoholic red wine. The beautifully plated grilled octopus tentacle (Dh175) is another winner, sitting on a smooth spread of harissa romesco paste, with crispy roasted potatoes and onions and garnished with salsa. The meat is far from chewy, making for a satisfying experience complimented by the creamy but smoky romesco. It's desserts that take the cake. We have light-as-air tiramisu with a coffee-soaked sponge layer (Dh85), creamy Basque cheesecake with tart berry compote (Dh60) and 'modern baklava', with pistachio-cardamom ice cream coated in white chocolate and sandwiched between crunchy honey filo layers (Dh65). Contact information Elaia is open daily from noon to 2am. Reservations can be made by calling 058 978 1000.

Timeframe: When Queen Elizabeth bade a fond farewell to the QE2 before it headed to Dubai
Timeframe: When Queen Elizabeth bade a fond farewell to the QE2 before it headed to Dubai

The National

time3 hours ago

  • The National

Timeframe: When Queen Elizabeth bade a fond farewell to the QE2 before it headed to Dubai

This month in 2008, Queen Elizabeth II made a last tour of her namesake cruise liner before its retirement in Dubai to become a floating hotel. The queen, who was 82 at the time, visited the QE2 in the port city of Southampton in the UK, her last tour of the historic ship that she launched 39 years earlier in 1969. Her visit coincided with the 55th anniversary of her accession to the throne after the death of her father, King George VI, in 1952. Dressed in a mauve dress with matching coat and a Philip Somerville hat, the queen was escorted by the last captain of the QE2, Ian McNaught. She also unveiled a painting of the vessel by the artist Robert Lloyd and met four crew members who had served on board when the QE2 was used as a troopship during the Falklands War in 1982. The queen then enjoyed lunch with invited guests. For her farewell meal on the QE2, she was served oak-smoked Scottish salmon with sturgeon caviar followed by medallion of beef tenderloin with dome of bitter chocolate mousse for dessert, the Evening Standard reported. Among the 300 guests who attended the royal send-off was former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. "The QE2 has been a symbol of all that is best about Britain," said Carol Marlow, then managing director of owners Cunard, said at the event. "It is the most famous ship afloat but all things move on and the vessel will now be going to Dubai where it will be admired by generations to come." The QE2 was officially retired from active service on November 11, 2008, when it left Southampton docks and set sail for its final journey to Dubai. Demand was so great for the journey to the UAE that tickets sold out in only 36 minutes. The QE2 was fully booked for its final journey from the US, with about 1,800 passengers paying fares ranging from $25,445 for a duplex grand suite with a veranda, to $2,992 for a single room. Its crew of 1,016 included 107 cooks, four fitness instructors, a DJ and 10 gentlemen hosts. In Dubai, a flotilla of 60 naval vessels and private boats met the 70,000-tonne ship in the Arabian Gulf as she arrived in her new home on November 26, 2008. They were led by My Dubai, a mega yacht owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. An Emirates A380 Airbus and a UK Royal Navy helicopter performed a fly-past in honour of the ship's arrival. However, the QE2's new life as a floating hotel would be delayed by the 2008 financial crisis. On April 18, 2018, a new chapter finally began for the world-famous ship. After more than 1,400 voyages and years of rumours about her fate, she opened her doors to a new generation of guests as a floating hotel at Dubai 's Port Rashid. French multinational Accor took over the management in 2022 and announced large-scale upgrades and renovations. There are now 447 rooms and suites available to book, from entry-level cabins to decadent Royal Suites, which have hosted famous faces such as Joan Collins and the late Nelson Mandela. The QE2's origins and adventures, chronicled in books, photos, uniforms and artefacts, are now preserved in the ship's museum called Travellers' Cove.

19 books The National's staff are reading this summer
19 books The National's staff are reading this summer

The National

time3 hours ago

  • The National

19 books The National's staff are reading this summer

From award-winning reads and books set everywhere from a sleepy English village to imperial China, to sporting memoirs and business guides, The National 's reading list this summer is rather varied. Our staff share the literary treats they are savouring this season. Below are our favourite reads, arranged by year of release. 1. The Last Bell: Life, Death and Boxing by Donald McRae (2025) After 50 years of covering boxing, Donald McRae's long-awaited sequel to the revered 1996 Dark Trade is less a love letter than it is a confession. McRae never shies away from confronting the grim realities that endure from his first book, whether it be criminality, corrupt judging, doping or the extreme physical and mental toll on competitors. As before, he finds solace in the company of fighters, telling their remarkable stories and trying to understand the mentality of those who inflict and receive trauma for money. Back in 1996 it was James Toney, Mike Tyson, Naseem Hamed and Chris Eubank Sr. For the modern day, it is Tyson Fury, 'Canelo' Alvarez, Oleksandr Usyk and Katie Taylor. By contrasting the virtues of the fighters with the cruelty of their profession, McRae examines his own uneasy relationship with the sport, while also getting to the heart of what makes boxing simultaneously thrilling and appalling. As the American broadcaster Larry Merchant once said: 'Nothing will kill it, and nothing can save it.' 2. The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (2025) Much like his semi-autobiographical first novel, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, The Emperor of Gladness is not an easy read, either in subject matter or in narrative style. Vuong, a celebrated poet, plays with words and tone in such creatively satisfying ways, you're forced to pay attention and lose yourself in his broken yet enchanting world. Vuong tells the story, set in a fictional town called East Gladness in Connecticut, the US, of Hai, a 19-year-old who at the beginning decides to take his own life by jumping off a bridge. But he's distracted by an 82-year-old woman, Grazina, living near the river who convinces Hai, at least for the night, not to go through with his purpose. The two then form an unlikely friendship, both haunted by their shared troubled pasts – Grazina is a Lithuanian immigrant suffering from dementia, while Hai, the child of Vietnamese refugees, is an addict in remission. Together they play the cards life has dealt them, even if it's pockmarked with loss and pain, in a story that is darkly comedic, and sad but ultimately hopeful. David Tusing, assistant features editor 3. The Singularity by Balsam Karam (2024) The first novel published in English by Balsam Karam, a Swedish author of Kurdish descent, is built for the moment. It's set in a fictional coastal city amid rapid development, divided into zones for the rich and poor, "half obscured by skyscrapers and half left to the desert". On its corniche, two mothers meet – one who has lost her daughter. Blending themes of assimilation and modern parenthood with the plight of refugees, the book is full of twists, turns and lively, experimental prose. It may not be an ideal beach read, but this challenging but rewarding short work will stay with you long after you finish it. William Mullally, arts & culture editor 4. The Shortest History of Migration by Ian Goldin (2024) How and why humans have shifted around the globe is the foundation of every nation, according to this concise yet surprisingly wide-reaching book by Ian Goldin. At about 250 pages, The Shortest History of Migration races through history, yet outlines, clearly and simply, the ways humans and other now-extinct hominids have been on the move since the dawn of time, driven by a shared impulse. From a shared common ancestor, Homo heidelbergensis, which roamed across several continents 700,000 years ago, to Homosapiens (us) venturing to Southern China up to 85,000 years ago, we have always been on the move. History is marked by mass migration, from the abhorrent slave trade that shipped more than 12 million people from African countries to the Americas, to the four million Europeans who emigrated to Brazil in the period between the two world wars. So, why is this relevant? We seem to delight in inflicting violence on one another, and at the time of writing there are wars and invasions raging across the planet, with the brutality framed around notions of difference and otherness. What this book helps to underscore is that, despite an insistence that we are all different, science highlights how we are all intertwined, with even the long-vanished Neanderthals and Denisovans still lingering in our DNA. It is a fascinating look at how we all follow similar patterns and share common ambitions, and as such is a message that feels vitally important right now. Sarah Maisey, deputy Luxury editor 5. Stakeholder Whispering by Bill Shander (2024) There are plenty of books out there on client relations, but this one more than delivers. In Stakeholder Whispering, Bill Shander offers a compelling look at a simple truth – what people ask for is often not what they actually need. Through clear examples and structured insights, Shander shows how to shift from simply taking orders to uncovering the intent behind them. For anyone working with clients, colleagues or senior executives, the book provides smart communication tools to help you not only get better answers, but also learn how to ask the right questions. In a crowded field, Stakeholder Whispering stands out for being thoughtful, practical and refreshingly empathetic. Laura Koot, managing editor 6. Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, its Cover-up, and his Disastrous Choice to Run Again, by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson (2024) Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's book on the unravelling of Joe Biden's re-election campaign last year is meticulously researched and compelling. The 'original sin' of the book's title was, according to the authors, Mr Biden's decision to stand in 2024, one that was compounded by efforts to disguise what they term as his 'cognitive diminishment'. The authors assembled a vast cast of sources and interviews – they estimate that about 200 people took part, including White House officials and others who had a ringside seat – to lay out their findings and support the book's provocative title. The body of evidence presented on Tapper and Thompson's pages is almost vertigo-inducing, but their conclusion is by turns unsettling and thought-provoking. The authors refer to the Watergate scandal as an example of a large-scale, presidential-level cover-up, before declaring that what happened in 2024 was entirely different to that. Chumming the waters in such a fashion may appear to sensationalise what happened last year, but it also forces the reader to reach their own judgment about what it all means for the future of US politics. Nick March, assistant editor-in-chief 7. Good Material by Dolly Alderton (2023) Overwhelmed by the events unfolding around the world, I needed to pick up a title that provided an escape from the news. Dolly Alderton's Good Material, about an amateur comedian who is blind-sided after his long-term girlfriend breaks up with him, is a sweet romantic comedy that provides just that. Even though, personally, I preferred the female perspective on heartbreak – which only comes in much later – it also offers a very real look at how men process a breakup. In a light-hearted and wholesome read, Alderton's ability to keep her characters real and relatable is refreshing, and even though this was the first book I read by this author, I look forward to checking out more of her works. Aarti Jhurani, sub-editor, features 8. How to End a Story: Collected Diaries, 1978–1998 by Helen Garner (2021) While reading the Australian writer Helen Garner's autobiographical works, I have copied out long paragraphs to myself in recent months from this and her other diary volumes (Yellow Notebook; One Day I'll Remember This). Garner seems to think she's a so-so talent but her brilliance shines through. Hers is a rich inner life. Her observations on everything – domesticity, betrayal, humour, jealousy, Sydney life, Melbourne life – might make you want to look up the publisher to get her email address and send her a thank you note for putting this stuff down. Hers are the sort of journals you want to return to, to savour again some of the startling, piercing paras on self-examination, and also the zingers: "I wish I could have a clean heart. Mine's like an ashtray." 9. The Appeal by Janice Hallett (2021) An untimely death sends shockwaves through a sleepy English village – and threatens to upend an eagerly awaited amateur dramatics production for good measure. It might sound like the plot of a classic Miss Marple murder mystery, but Janice Hallett's The Appeal offers an inventive twist on the beloved whodunit genre, or in this instance, more of a "did they do it?" Traditional prose takes a backseat as the reader is asked to piece together an intriguing puzzle by way of a collection of letters, emails and text messages being combed through by two young law students charged with solving a suspected miscarriage of justice. The digital dialogue helps to increase suspense as the list of potential killers mounts up, with no shortage of unreliable narrators to contend with. The novel storytelling device makes for an engrossing page-turner and has served as a template for the author's subsequent bestsellers. Chris Maxwell, deputy national editor 10. Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (2021) Mother-daughter relationships aren't always perfect and they are most certainly full of complexities. Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner is a moving and beautifully written memoir that explores grief and identity as Zauner – best known as the lead singer of indie pop band Japanese Breakfast – shares her experience in dealing with the loss of her Korean mother while reconnecting with her cultural heritage. The book resonates deeply with anyone who has faced loss or struggled to bridge cultural gaps in their family. Zauner's honest reflections are interwoven with rich descriptions of Korean food, highlighting how meals become a powerful thread linking her to memories, love and identity. More than a story about mourning, it's also a celebration of family and resilience. Evelyn Lau, assistant features editor 11. The Ungrateful Refugee: What Immigrants Never Tell You, by Dina Nayeri (2019) When this book was published in 2019, the global refugee crisis had reached unprecedented levels, with more than 70 million people forcibly displaced, according to the UN. By April of this year, that figure had soared to 122 million, equal to the 12th most populous country in the world. The scale of the problem is staggering. Dina Nayeri does not offer policy solutions. Instead, the author's compelling message is that refugees deserve dignity and the freedom to tell their stories in full – not have them reshaped to meet western expectations of gratitude. Blending her personal memoir with investigative reporting, Nayeri recounts her own journey from Iran to the West while weaving in stories from other displaced people across Europe. She shines a light on the emotional toll of asylum interviews, the dehumanisation of refugee camps and the pressure to express thankfulness in exchange for sanctuary. With anti-immigration sentiment rising in many western nations, this book is especially relevant in 2025. It powerfully challenges the idea that survival must come at the cost of silence or submission. The sequel to the British historian's award-winning The Silk Roads picks up where its predecessor left off, on the premise that the history of civilisation is riddled with western bias. Frankopan's mission is to change perspectives, driving readers to look at Persepolis and Babylon, rather than Rome and Athens, as the focal points of antiquity. He concludes that the Silk Roads, a network of trade routes connecting East to West, made up the beating heart of the ancient world. Much of humanity's intellectual, cultural, religious and military history is rooted in this unique central belt, he writes, with the Middle East at its core. It's a view of history that's particularly valuable in light of current geopolitics. Frankopan's point that the late 14th to 20th century, the age of European colonisation and industrialisation, is a pause in a story of the world where it is Central Asia and the Middle East that have left the most dominant, lasting mark on our planet, is incredibly prescient today. In an era where US President Donald Trump boasts that the age of western 'nation builders' is over, when China's economic might appears insurmountable even after tariff threats from the White House, and the innovation of the Gulf in embracing new technology appears leagues ahead of anything on show in Europe, Frankopan's conclusions are hard to argue with. The New Silk Roads goes further still, looking ahead rather than back, and on how the world is shifting ever more towards what Frankopan would describe as the status quo – not a new world order – with this region making its way back to being the beating heart of civilisation. Written in 2018, it (unfortunately) offers a more optimistic vision of the world we find ourselves in – before the horrors of wars threatened to cause death, misery and division for generations. Yet it is precisely this optimism that makes it such a potent summer read, and one that should give you a bit of hope that the future really is bright, particularly here. Tom Evans, assistant news editor 13. The Dictator by Robert Harris (2015) When I recommend The Dictator, I'm really recommending the entire trilogy of historical fiction novels Robert Harris has written about the Greek philosopher and Roman legislator Cicero. This final volume brings the series to a powerful close, following the last years of Cicero's life as he confronts the rise and fall of Julius Caesar. The Dictator is perhaps the most politically charged of the three books, with Cicero drawn into the sweep of events that ultimately lead to his own downfall. While it can be read as a standalone, there's no reason to skip the earlier volumes – Imperium and Lustrum are both excellent in their own right. What makes The Dictator such a resonant read isn't just the historical drama – it's the sharp examination of power and the limits of persuasion, themes that continue to echo in the present. Saeed Saeed, features writer 14. The Apothecary Diaries by Natsu Hyuuga (2014) Set in a country inspired by Imperial China, The Apothecary Diaries follows 17-year-old Maomao, a sharp-witted herbalist who is kidnapped and sold into service as a maid in the emperor's rear palace. Her curiosity, medical knowledge and stubborn sense of justice soon draw her into the mystery surrounding the illnesses afflicting royal consorts and newborns. Her talent doesn't go unnoticed. Jinshi, a high-ranking court official with secrets of his own, takes an interest in Maomao, pulling her deeper into a world of court politics, hidden agendas and simmering tension. To say more would give too much away. If you're looking for a light yet layered read that blends drama, romance and political intrigue, this series is a rewarding escape. Olive Obina, assistant photo editor 15. The Gray House by Mariam Petrosyan (2009) There are books that orbit us for years until something finally makes you reach for them. That was The Gray House by Mariam Petrosyan for me. The novel's premise intrigued me, and it was routinely recommended by a few close friends, but its tome-like thickness and tattered narrative long kept me at bay. It was also notoriously difficult to get a hold of. So when I stumbled on it by chance at a used bookstore a few weeks ago, I decided to lean into this moment of bibliophilic serendipity. I'm glad I did. The novel is unlike anything I've read in a long time. Set in a boarding school for children with disabilities, it builds an insular world with its own codes and logic. At first, the novel feels dense, impenetrable even. But stop trying to figure it out and just let it unfold – line by line, image by image – and it envelops you. The boundaries between reality and fantasy come undone and the novel's unique rhythm becomes hypnotic. Sure, The Gray House is strange and at times even unwieldy, but surrendering to it will prove to be a rewarding and unforgettable experience. Razmig Bedirian, features writer 16. A Land Without Jasmine by Wajdi Al-Ahdal (2008) A Land Without Jasmine is a noir novella that offers a searing critique of Yemeni society through the lens of a mysterious disappearance. When a university student named Jasmine vanishes in Sanaa, the story unfolds Rashomon-style, starting with her perspective and shifting to the story's other characters. Through his narrative, Al-Ahdal masterfully deconstructs patriarchal structures and institutional decay, and offers a candid discussion of coming of age – revealing the tensions simmering beneath a conservative facade. At once a detective story and a social allegory, the novella's brevity belies its depth. The translation of A Land Without Jasmine won the 2013 Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation. Nasri Atallah, luxury editor 17. Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres (1994) Having refused on principle to watch the 2001 movie adaptation of Captain Corelli's Mandolin on account of Nicolas Cage's Super Mario Italian accent, it took some persuading for me to pick up Louis de Bernieres's love story set in Greece during the horrors of the Second World War. As it turned out, failing to see past Hollywood's treatment of the novel was my loss. Captain Corelli's Mandolin is a nourishing tale, written with skill and precision. It is easy to empathise with its collection of eminently believable characters, ordinary people thrown into the maelstrom of war and occupation. Although it is a romantic tale, it never veers into sentimentality and there are many sharp reminders of the appalling suffering inflicted upon the Greek people during these years. Even its moments of comedy are balanced by the reality of war: when we meet Bunny Warren, a British spy parachuted on to Cephalonia, we are amused by his attempts to communicate with the island's villagers by speaking ancient Greek. His murder by communist rebels later in the book is a sombre moment. In our fraught times, Captain Corelli's Mandolin is an important reminder of the price ordinary people pay during war. Declan McVeigh, leader writer 18. King, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert L Moore and Douglas Gillette (1990) Do you know what it takes to be a mature, well-rounded man? King, Warrior, Magician, Lover breaks down masculinity into four main archetypes – the King (the leader), the Warrior (the fighter), the Magician (the thinker), and the Lover (the feeler) – and shows how all men have these energies in them. The idea is, when you're balanced, you're solid. But when you're off, these archetypes show up in their "shadow" forms, like the tyrant King or the sadistic Warrior. It's rooted in Jungian psychology, so the writing is easier to absorb if you're open to a bit of myth and symbolism. This isn't a how-to guide, it's more like a mirror for self-reflection. If you're into personal growth or just curious about the deeper layers of masculinity, this book offers a refreshing and insightful perspective. Xavier Kashelle, head of product 19. Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy (1985) The concept of inherent evil is one that I've often pondered. Is there such a thing? Or is it circumstantial? In attempting to delve deeper, I've found lists of the most evil characters in film and literature. One that always stood out and featured frequently is that of Judge Holden from Cormac McCarthy's hazy western Blood Meridian. The book follows a protagonist named 'the kid', a teenager wandering through the American frontier. During his trek, he encounters Judge Holden, a sinister presence that seems to spread evil wherever he goes. I'm only a third of the way into the book, but I'm already seeing why the character is considered to be one of the most malevolent in all of literature. Faisal Al Zaabi, gaming journalist Updated: June 20, 2025, 6:03 PM`

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store