The Mysterious Novelist Who Predicted Putin’s Russia – and Then Came to Symbolize Its Moral Decay
By Sophie Pinkham
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in 1990s Russia with sharp satires of authoritarianism. While his fellow writers have faced censorship and fled the country, he still sells millions of books. Has he become an apologist for the Kremlin?
The Reluctant Collaborator: Surviving Syria’s Brutal Civil War and Its Aftermath
By Ghaith Abdul-Ahad
At 18, Mustafa was told his only way out of prison was to join the regime’s forces. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad’s fighters could now get him killed.
The Curse of Toumaï: An Ancient Skull, a Disputed Femur, and a Bitter Feud Over Humanity’s Origins
By Scott Sayare
When fossilized remains were found in the Djurab Desert in 2001, they were said to rewrite the history of our species. But not everyone agreed, and the bitter argument that followed has consumed scholars ever since.
The Rise and Fall of the British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
By Barbara Speed
Philippa Barnes was a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking scale of abuse it had committed.
Starmer vs. Starmer: Why Is the Former Human Rights Lawyer So Cautious About Defending Human Rights?
By Daniel Trilling
Many supporters hoped Prime Minister Keir Starmer would restore the UK’s commitment to international law. Yet Labour’s record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
The Real Scandi Noir: How a Filmmaker and a Crooked Lawyer Shattered Denmark’s Self-Image
By Samanth Subramanian
The Black Swan follows a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras. But is she truly reformed, and is the director playing his own tricks?
The Human Stain Remover: What Britain’s Greatest Extreme Cleaner Learned from 25 Years on the Job
By Tom Lamont
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen and cleaned it all. In their darkest hours, people rely on him to restore order.
‘The Ghosts Are Everywhere’: Can the British Museum Survive Its Omni-Crisis?
By Charlotte Higgins
Beset by colonial controversy, financial troubles, and an inside thief, Britain’s top museum is in deep trouble. Can it restore its reputation?
Don’t Call It Morning Sickness: ‘At Times in My Pregnancy I Wondered If This Was Death Coming for Me’
By Abi Stephenson
The Victorians called it “pernicious vomiting of pregnancy,” but modern medicine has offered no end to the torture of hyperemesis gravidarum—until now.
Kahane’s Ghost: How a Long-Dead Extremist Rabbi Continues to Haunt Israel’s Politics
By Joshua Leifer
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas influence the highest levels of government.
An English Gentleman, a Crooked Lawyer: The Secrets of Stephen David Jones
By Hettie O’Brien
With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, wealthy clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get suspicious.
The Go-Between: How Qatar Became the Global Capital of Diplomacy
By Nesrine Malik
This tiny, incredibly wealthy country has become a major player on the world stage, trying to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. What’s driving this project?
The Shining: My Trip to the G7 Horror Show with Emmanuel Macron
By Emmanuel Carrère
Deeply unpopular in France, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader best equipped to handle Trump. Seven years after our last meeting, I joined him as he prepared for battle.
‘A Relentless, Destructive Energy’: Inside the Trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon
By Sophie Elmhirst
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
‘They Take the Money and Go’: Why Not Everyone Is Mourning the End of USAID
By Mara Kardas-Nelson
When Donald Trump set about dismantling USAID, many around the world…People were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, the latest betrayal was not unexpected.
The Coventry experiment: why were Indian women in Britain given radioactive food without their consent? – Samira Shackle
When details about a 1960s scientific study became public, there was shock, outrage, and anxiety. But what exactly happened?
‘The Mozart of the attention economy’: why MrBeast is the world’s biggest YouTube star – Mark O’Connell
He’s spent 24 hours immersed in slime, two days buried alive, and showered vast amounts of cash on lucky participants. But are MrBeast’s videos just very savvy clickbait—or acts of avant-garde genius?
Life in a ‘sinking nation’: Tuvalu’s dreams of dry land – Atul Dev
With sea levels rising, much of the population faces the prospect that their home may soon cease to exist. Where will they go?
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life might turn around. I was tragically wrong – Pamela Gordon
I knew he was running away from something. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered the truth.
‘I have to do it’: Why one of the world’s most brilliant AI scientists left the US for China – Chang Che
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now he might hold the key to who wins the global AI race.
And finally: In case you’re curious, these were our Top 10 most-read pieces of 2025, and these were the 10 most-read pieces from our archive. Here are our best-of collections for 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful FAQs about the best long reads of 2025 designed to answer questions from curious beginners to avid readers
General Beginner Questions
Q What exactly is a long read
A A long read is a deeply researched narrativedriven article or essay typically between 2000 and 10000 words Its more indepth than a standard news piece focusing on storytelling context and analysis
Q Why should I read longform journalism
A Long reads allow you to fully understand complex topics hear diverse human stories and see the bigger picture behind headlines They improve focus build empathy and provide a deeper more satisfying reading experience than quick news snippets
Q Where can I find the best long reads
A They are published by major magazines dedicated sections of newspapers digital platforms and independent newsletters
Q How do I know a best of list is trustworthy
A Look for lists curated by reputable publications literary awards or respected editorsjournalists Lists that explain why an article was chosen are usually more reliable than simple link dumps
Content Themes for 2025
Q What are the big themes for the best long reads of 2025
A While its early emerging themes will likely include the societal impact of advanced AI climate adaptation and solastalgia the future of global democracy breakthroughs in longevity science and deep cultural reckonings sparked by new technologies or social movements
Q Will there be any lighter topics or is it all heavy news
A Absolutely The best lists always include brilliant narratives on sports arts food travel and fascinating personal histories A great long read can be about a quest to find a rare bird the history of a meme or the secret world of competitive baking
Q Can you give an example of what a standout 2025 long read might look like
