Two Girls, One on Each Knee (7) – A Book Review
The Magpie was sent a review copy of Two Girls, One on Each Knee (7) by Alan Connor. Here is our review.
This Christmas marks, almost exactly, the 100th anniversary of the crossword, and here is an ideal Christmas present for the crossworder in your life. There is something in this book for everyone who at least understands the attraction of filling in empty white squares, from crossword editors to members of occasional lunch-break collectives.
Magpie subscribers will already know many of the anecdotes that fill the pages. But it is nice to be reminded of the provost of Eton, GEGS, the D-Day crosswords, Arthur Wynne’s word-cross puzzle, and other old friends. Connor writes well, and the story of the Simpsons crossword, for instance, has not been told better. There are also some surprises. My favourite discovery is the letter from P.G. Wodehouse to the Times in 1934.
The book is organised so that you can read the chapters in any order, and the contents page itself is a crossword, so you can even solve along if you like. If you prefer an element of surprise, the index is comprehensive, including such beguiling entries as Run-D.M.C (band); diddybums (word); toads, lack of hopping; grocers, infuriated. What is more, at least five Magpie subscribers are listed, along with one editor-in-chief. You’ll have to get hold of the book to find out who.
Chris Lear