A Novel Ian Likes: Came Back To Show You I could Fly by Robin Klein

Seymour has been sent to live with a friend of his mother for the summer due to his parents having an acrimonious breakup, and he isn’t enjoying it. Instructed to stay inside when Thelma (his guardian) is at work, he one day rebels and winds up in the shabby accommodation of Angie, a vivacious young … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: Came Back To Show You I could Fly by Robin Klein →

A Movie Ian Likes: Krull

Colwyn and Lyssa are the heirs to their respective kingdoms. They’ve come up with a plan to unite them in the face of a mysterious enemy called the Beast. The Beast has a travelling castle and has been terrorising the world of Krull. Colwyn and Lyssa’s plan is pretty simple: they’re going to get married, … Continue reading A Movie Ian Likes: Krull →

A Short Story Ian Likes: “Steel Dogs” by Ray Aldridge

Aandred is the Master of the Hunt, servant to the all-seeing Droam, Lord of Neverland. Aandred and his dogs patrol the once-famous island and keep its shores safe from the incursions of “Bonepickers”, the humans who live on the other islands and are now searching to expand their world. But Aandred does not count on … Continue reading A Short Story Ian Likes: “Steel Dogs” by Ray Aldridge →

An Autobiography Ian Likes: Beginning by Kenneth Branagh

In 1989, Kenneth Branagh was on the cusp of greatness. An acclaimed stage actor, he had just released his filmed version of Shakespeare’s Henry V onto a public that adored it, hailing him as the greatest Shakespearean actor since Olivier (which may have been premature since Olivier was still alive at this point. How did … Continue reading An Autobiography Ian Likes: Beginning by Kenneth Branagh →

An Apocalyptic Future Ian Likes: A Canticle For Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr

Brother Francis is supposed to be on his Lenten Vigil, prior to being enrolled as a Brother of the Order of The Blessed Leibowitz. However, a chance encounter with a ragged pilgrim has led to a discovery of an ancient shelter. Within this shelter are objects that could be attributed to the founder of the … Continue reading An Apocalyptic Future Ian Likes: A Canticle For Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr →

An Update: Espedair Street by Iain Banks

I don't normally do this, but I sort of committed to it in an earlier blog post. Back in May 2021, I blogged about the late and great Iain Banks's biopic novel Espedair Street. I mentioned in the course of that post that it had been dramatised in 1998 by BBC Radio. In the closing … Continue reading An Update: Espedair Street by Iain Banks →

A Correspondence That Ian Likes: 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

In 1949, Helene Hanff (1916 – 1997) began a correspondence with a bookstore in London. The New York-based writer wanted a connection with the English literature she had grown up loving and buying books from the source seemed to be the easiest option. The next twenty years were filled with business letters that became less … Continue reading A Correspondence That Ian Likes: 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff →

A Doctor Who Story That Only Ian Likes: Underworld

The Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) and his two companions, Leela (Louise Jameson) and K9 (voiced by John Leeson), have arrived at the edge of the known universe. Escaping from the gravitational pull of a spiral nebula they seek solace aboard a nearby spacecraft. This craft, a remnant of the destroyed planet of Minyos, is searching … Continue reading A Doctor Who Story That Only Ian Likes: Underworld →

A Novel Ian Likes: The Book Of Kells by R. A. MacAvoy

John Thornburn is an artist, recruited to teach in Ireland by historian Derval Keane. He has come because he is a huge fan of ancient Irish art. But one day he mysteriously opens a doorway into tenth-century history. He and Derval unwittingly become a part of the history they have studied… R. A. MacAvoy burst … Continue reading A Novel Ian Likes: The Book Of Kells by R. A. MacAvoy →

The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 41: The Shepherd’s Crown

Sir Terry Pratchett passed away on March 12, 2015. An advocate of Assisted Dying, he nevertheless succumbed to the conditions of his Alzheimer’s Disease and died of natural causes. For those of us on social media, these were the Tweets that alerted us: I have written elsewhere on how this affected me. In short, despite … Continue reading The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 41: The Shepherd’s Crown →