Ten years later, Oliver, still poor (true to romantic ideals) and Gillian are tracked down by Stuart, now rich, who helps the pair generously (calculatingly) and proceeds to steal (win) back Gillian.

ECONOMIST: New novels

True, this year's farm incomes are likely to be down by 20-30%, Saskatchewan and Manitoba being hardest hit.

ECONOMIST: Canada

Mr Ignatieff, a former academic, unwisely triggered an election for which his party was ill-prepared by choosing to bring down the government over its contempt of parliament in concealing the true cost of new fighter jets and prisons.

ECONOMIST: Canada's general election

And it is true that East Berliners were mocked by "Wessies" when the wall came down because they knew nothing about fancy food.

BBC: Frugality rules at German dinner parties

And Keller is a true Francophile, with an outsider's appreciation for its culinary traditions, as handed down by maestros like Point and Bocuse.

WSJ: Celebrity Chef's Franco-American Quest