Category Archives: Commentary

If you confront anyone who has lied with the truth, he will usually admit it – often out of sheer surprise. It is only necessary to guess right to produce your effect. — Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s Murder on … Continue reading →

Several Annies, do pay attention now as there will be a quiz afterwards! Well, now. Mackenzie has asked me in as tonight’s guest lecturer. He likes to keep these seminars going through the summer months, you know, when otherwise the … Continue reading →

Brown-eyed women and red grenadine, The bottle was dusty but the liquor was clean. Sound of the thunder with the rain pouring down, And it looks like the old man’s getting on. ‘Brown-eyed Women’ Summer’s fully upon us here on this … Continue reading →

Everyone ignores two important facts: one person’s crap is another person’s beloved book, and publishing has always produced books in great volume. ― Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s Discoverability There’s a contradance going on just now, but my left knee, injured many decades ago, … Continue reading →

Eight hours, sixteen ounces of chocolate and they’re still not right — Resident Izzie Stevens, making cupcakes in the Grey’s Anatomy, “Save Me” Yes, we love chocolate a lot around here, to the extent that Ellen Kushner once shared her hot chocolate … Continue reading →

The lie wasn’t meant to be believed. It was just social grease, intended to keep wheels turning. — Aliette de Bodard’s Fireheart Tiger This is Gary, as Iain and Reynard both seem to be busy elsewhere at the moment, perhaps cleaning … Continue reading →

All things flow from the spirit, Master Anderson. Governments are made up of their people. So long as they are men and women of character, the nation stands. ― James Stoddard’s The High House I awoke well before dawn as I wanted … Continue reading →

There are few joys to compare with the telling of a well-told tale. — Charles de Lint’s Yarrow: An Autumn Tale So what was the best book you’ve read this year? Or the best recording you’ve had  a listen to? Do … Continue reading →

For heroes do not make history—that is the historian’s job—but, passive, let themselves be borne along, swept up to the crest of the tide of change, of chance, of war.― Ursula K. Le Guin’s Orsinian Tales It’s a cold, damp afternoon … Continue reading →