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
Tag: Literature
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
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
The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 40: Raising Steam
Lord Vetinari, Patrician of Ankh-Morpork, has a vision of future greatness for the city. Harry King, a millionaire who has made his fortune from other people’s rubbish, is going to help him achieve this… with appropriate supervision, of course. Dick Simnel, the brains behind this vision – a literal transport of delight, if you can … Continue reading The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 40: Raising Steam
The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 39: Snuff
At the insistence of… his wife, Lady Sybil? Or is it his boss, Lord Vetinari, Patrician of Ankh-Morpork…? Well, at someone’s insistence, Commander Sir Samuel Vimes is taking a two-week vacation. To sweeten the deal, Sybil and Young Sam, their son, will be coming with him. They are headed for The Ramkin's ancestral country seat. … Continue reading The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 39: Snuff
The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 38: I Shall Wear Midnight
Tiffany Aching is working as the only witch in the Chalk (her homeland). Already exhausted from the duties that go with her immense patch, she discovers that there is a growing suspicion towards witches. She also learns that Roland, the son of the Baron whom she befriended all the way back in The Wee Free … Continue reading The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 38: I Shall Wear Midnight
The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 37: Unseen Academicals
Ponder Stibbons has taken over a large part of the running of Unseen University, the (for the moment, at least) premier college of magic on the Disc. This is largely because of two things: he can do it; and people don’t mind that he does it. During this time he has discovered that the Wizards … Continue reading The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 37: Unseen Academicals
The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 36: Making Money
Moist Von Lipwig has been charged by the Patrician with looking after Ankh-Morpork’s Mint. He goes to his first meeting and then, by a random chain of events, manages to also be placed in charge of Ankh-Morpork’s banking system as well… In Going Postal, we met Moist, the former conman. He was about to be … Continue reading The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 36: Making Money
The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 35: Wintersmith
Tiffany Aching is 13 in this novel and is working for/apprenticed to Miss Treason, a witch with an uncommon sense of the dramatic. Miss Treason takes Tiffany to witness the “Dark Morris,” a dance done to herald the “death” of Winter and the coming of Spring. However, at a crucial moment Tiffany interrupts and meets … Continue reading The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 35: Wintersmith
The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 34: Thud!
Koom Valley is a fairly unassuming place but it is the site of a series of battles between the Trolls and the Dwarves. The most famous battle was inconclusive and resulted in the disappearance of the kings of both races. Whoever it was that won the battle has been a point of contention ever since … Continue reading The Great Discworld Retrospective No. 34: Thud!
Stuff Ian Likes 