Just Finished Reading: The Plague Year – America in the Time of Covid by Lawrence Wright (FP: 2021) [336pp] 

It was going to ‘go away’ like ‘a miracle’, but it didn’t. Indeed, per capita the US was in to top 3 worse hit countries in the world by Covid-19 – despite (arguably) being the most advanced and with some of the best medical minds on the planet. So, what went wrong? A lot actually. 

As seems to be the usual case, authoritarian China first covered up the outbreak, played down the consequences, denied that it could be transmitted between people, delayed the publication of the gene sequence and refused any help from the WHO or CDC. Only weeks after up to 5 million people had already left the province did the Chinese authorities finally act. When they did, they were highly effective but multiple cats were already out of the bag and travelling across the world on international flights. 

Despite clear warnings, the US was slow to react. When travel from China was finally restricted it was already too late. The virus was already in the US (and indeed the rest of the world) and spreading – largely undetected. Mistakes were made. The CDC ‘tests’ were giving questionable results and that took weeks to resolve. Even when they were working as advertised there were far too few of them to do much good in the general population. The results came back in days – or sometimes weeks – making the whole process essentially pointless. Better, quicker, tests were needed. Some of these were available in Europe but only US manufactured tests were authorised. The emergency stockpiles of PPE and other medical equipment – including ventilators – had been run-down due to chronic underfunding over years. When investigated the cupboard was almost bare and what was there was either out of date or snapped up immediately. Rather than acting as a centralised authority – as it was supposed to – the Federal government essentially told the States that they were on their own and would need to source their own equipment. When they did so it was sometimes simply snagged by Washington and disappeared. Future purchases happened in secret.  

But you know the story... We all lived through it or at least the ones who lived did. America was certainly not alone in showing the world a master class of how NOT to handle a pandemic but it certainly gave it a very good run for its money. The Covid plague hit the US much harder than it should have done and kept hitting it much longer than it should have done. A few notable countries, the ones that actually had their shit together (I’m definitely NOT counting the UK here) like South Korea and New Zealand acted swiftly and decisively – without the need for dictatorial powers – and contained it, thereby suffering few deaths and little economic disruption. The US death toll was staggering, unnecessary and far from evenly distributed. A very good indicator of your chances of survival were not just age – but race and poverty. Essential workers especially, and health care workers in particular, died significantly more often than many others. 

Told with passion, and quite a bit of anger, this is the tale of an unprepared country (that should have been far more prepared than it was) coping very badly with a disease its own scientists had been warning about for over a decade – at least. Not all of the fault lay at the door of the Trump administration in the Whitehouse – there was certainly enough blame to go around elsewhere – but Washington did precious little to help where it could and did much to hinder the responses of others more competent than themselves. Although there was probably little new here that we either didn’t know from news reports and later investigations this was still an interesting read which covered a lot of the bases. Definitely a recommended read if you want a big-picture as well as street level look at a year (or two) few of us will forget. One more pandemic book to come – for a while.  

Happy Halloween! Have some spooky FUN tonight.... 

RIP: Terry Ann Garr (December 11, 1944 – October 29, 2024).

Just Finished re-Reading: His Last Bow – Some Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (FP: 1917) [203pp] 

With this short collection we’re back to what ACD does best (with the notable exception of Baskerville) - short stories. Containing a reasonable 8 of varying quality this was both a fun and mostly rewarding experience. My favourite of the bunch was the last in the sequence and the title of the collection itself ‘His Last Bow’ actually published in 1917. This told of Holmes & Watson’s early involvement in the Great War uncovering a group of German spies just before the war itself broke out in Western Europe. Only running to a mere 17 pages I was convinced that with a bit of fleshing out it could’ve made a pretty good novel in itself as the merry duo tracked down each spy in turn and slowly followed the clues to uncover the head man before the hammer fell. But I guess that in 1917 people had other things on their minds and other things to do. 

The other story that really stood out to me was ‘The Adventure of the Dying Detective’ [1913] where Holmes is struck down by a serious Asian disease and pleads with Watson to persuade an expert in that affliction to visit him at Baker Street. I did honestly have real worries for Sherlock despite knowing there were many more stories left to be told. I think ACD was really using his medial knowledge and experience here. Interestingly the story hinted and both bioterrorism and strange incurable emergent diseases that we are more than familiar with in the 21st century.  

Most of other stories, competent as they were, follow the well-developed pattern we have long known and loved. There are mysterious deaths, mysterious house guests, mysterious symbols and most mysterious foreigners. International criminals, exiles or refugees seem to be popular also. I guess that the late 19th/early 20th century had many such individuals crossing the Atlantic or the English Channel and ending up in London or points South East. 

‘The Adventure of the Cardboard Box’ [1893] was an odd one. I picked up on the salient fact very early on (a mistaken recipient) but the rest of the story unfolded as Holmes investigated. It was both a rather mundane and sordid tale with a gruesome ending. As usual, it seems, there was a rather gothic entry with ‘The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot’ [1910]. Again, I’d figured out the likely delivery method for the murder ‘weapon’ but it was Holmes’ job to fill in the backstory and catch the killer. Again, he decided to use his own judgement as what to do with the information once the confession had been received. Homes, it would appear, is always more interested in justice than in law. 

Overall, I enjoyed this penultimate outing with the dynamic duo. Only one thing really disappointed me in that at no point, in any of the 8 stories, did we learn anything new about either character. The only possible addition insight into Holmes himself was an aside to the effect that he had never liked, nor trusted, a woman which puts paid to my theory that his attitude (I hesitate to use the word misogyny as Holmes may be prejudiced against women but he has admired a few and treats most of the rest with great curtesy) was due to an early disastrous relationship. Maybe we’ll find out in his last outing just before Christmas...? Recommended for all Holmes fans.  

Happy Birthday: Seth Woodbury MacFarlane (born October 26, 1973) is an American actor, animator, writer, producer, director, comedian, and singer. He is best known as the creator and star of the television series Family Guy (since 1999) and The Orville (2017–2022), and co-creator of the television series American Dad! (since 2005) and The Cleveland Show (2009–2013). He also co-wrote, directed, and starred in the films Ted (2012) and its sequel Ted 2 (2015), and A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014).

MacFarlane is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he studied animation. He was recruited to Hollywood as an animator and writer for Hanna-Barbera's television series Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken and Dexter's Laboratory; during this time, he created the animated short Larry & Steve—a loose precursor of Family Guy—for What a Cartoon!. In 2008, he created the online series Seth MacFarlane's Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy. MacFarlane has also made guest appearances as an actor on live action shows including Gilmore Girls, Star Trek: Enterprise, The War at Home, and FlashForward. MacFarlane has won several awards for his work on Family Guy, including five Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2009, he won the Webby Award for Film & Video Person of the Year.

NOTHING is new.....

Just Finished Reading: The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (FP: 1908) [312pp] 

It was a summer friendship that changed his life. On a whim, Mole had left his newly painted burrow to explore and had bumped into Rat who invited him in for tea. Days later, after boating on the river, picnics and small adventures Mole wondered where the time had gone. The weeks flew by without a thought of home and before he knew it winter had arrived. Off to explore as Rat snoozed in front of the fire, he found himself alone and frightened in the Wild Wood. Strange noises surrounded him and he shivered from more than the cold. Even when Rat arrived to bring him back the adventure was far from over. Only Badger could help, if they could find his burrow in all the snow around them. Then there was Toad (of Toad Hall no less). A friend that could not be ignored, a friend very much in need – of guidance, of help and of a tap on the head to knock some sense into him. 

As I’ve mentioned several times, I hardly read a thing as a child so missed out on many (actually pretty much all) of the standard Children’s Classics. So, I decided some years back – as I was reading multiple Classics anyway – that I’d add a few of the missed early reads into my rotation. These often go for very reasonable prices so the ‘risk’ of disappointment is minimal. What I have found, much to my surprise, is that many of the children's Classics are very readable indeed even to this cynical reasonably well-read late adult. This book was no exception. 

I had at least some idea of what I was letting myself in for here. I knew this was about animals and was, probably, aimed at a rather younger readership. What I did find was that not only is this a well written book (indeed I was impressed at the suspected reading age of the text which contained some words many would need to look up – fortunately I’ve read many books of the era so was largely covered!) I found it both sweet and often quite funny. The theme throughout was the power of friendship and the moral/ethical obligations that friends have to each other. The teaching, clear as it was, never really hit you over the head but I can imagine especially the younger readers taking a lot from this book at a subconscious level. There are many teachable moments throughout the book – and not just about Toad’s outrageous behaviour – and I can see how the incidents portrayed would spark conversations during bedtime reading or throughout the following days. 

The only ‘problem’ I had with the book – maybe because of too much imagination or too little – was when humans and animals interacted. In particular when Toad dressed as a washerwoman and people/humans around him took him as such. So, was Toad (and by extension the other animals) Human sized at all times? That did seem like taking imagination just too far for me – or am I just overthinking things? Probably... Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable, sweet, relaxing read. I’m not sure how it would ‘go down’ with a modern child but it might be a fun bedtime read to someone 8 or under (maybe). Recommended if you missed it the first time!  

LOVE that movie.... Or, actually, these two IN that movie.... 

Just Finished Reading: The End of the Affair by Graham Greene (FP: 1951) [160pp] 

It was over. No explanation, no warning, nothing. It was like a door being slammed or a bomb dropping, which actually made much more sense. It was after his house was nearly hit by the buzz-bomb. From that day she refused to see him again, wouldn’t come to the phone when he called. Was she finally regretting their affair? Had Henry found out (he didn’t think so) or had she told him? Or had she simply become tired of him? They were certainly arguing more. Was it as simple as that? Or had Sarah found someone else, someone younger, someone more fun, less self-obsessed? The idea tortured him until they ran into each other by accident two whole years later. When they parted, he decided to follow her. It was stupid, he knew. At any moment she could turn around and there would be a scene, or worse she could just ignore him. Ironically it was Henry, the man, the friend, who he had been deceiving for years that thought she might be having an affair. They even discussed hiring a private detective to uncover her secrets. Bendrix (hardly anyone called him Maurice, not even Sarah) relished the idea and agreed to arrange things. Convinced he was about to uncover his rival at last it came as quite a surprise, as a shock even, to discover exactly what Sarah was really doing. The discovery of the reason Sarah left him on that fateful day was almost incidental. Was there a way back for them, or was everything lost?  

To be honest this is not exactly my normal sort of read. But after enjoying two previous books by the author – both very different from each other and from this outing – I thought I’d give it a try. It was, at the very least, an intriguing read. Initially I rather liked the main character of Maurice Bendrix. If he wasn’t exactly an avatar for the author (who I honestly know almost zero about) I’m guessing he must be pretty close! I also couldn’t help but think that the author must have either had an affair (or certainly actively considered it) or knew someone very well who did. The roller-coaster ride of emotions was very real especially when Bendrix confessed to both hating Sarah and desperately wanting her back. I don’t think he actually hated her though, he certainly hated the fact that she had left him and hated how that made him feel, but the hate he clothed himself with was, more than anything, a defence mechanism against his feeling of loss. If he didn’t hate her, and freely acknowledged just how much he loved her – even after her inexplicable disappearance from his life – it would’ve crushed him. Hate was easier on his psyche than love. 

For the first part of the book, I didn’t like Sarah very much at all. I’m not sure if this was designed by the author or if my personal history was getting in the way of the narrative. I had a ‘complicated’ relationship in my late 30’s so found myself appreciating the position of Bendrix far more than Sarah, most especially as Bendrix suspected her of serial adultery – both before and after their own particular affair. After Bendrix and we (as readers) had access to Sarah’s diary later in the narrative my view of Sarah changed. I still didn’t like her to the extent that I liked Bendrix but I certainly understood her a lot more and appreciated what she was going through and her ultimate motivation(s) for ending the relationship. 

Beyond the ‘complicated’ love story itself one of the things that has stayed with me since reading this slim volume was how all of the main characters – Bendrix, Sarah, Henry and Richard (a kind of secular ‘therapist’) - as well as the private detective sub-character Alfred Parkis – were looking for meaning in what at that time (in the final year of World War 2 and a few years following on) must have been a very confusing era. Living not only through a world war and the consequential existential crisis, but seeing the first use of nuclear weapons and everything that would follow from that event, plus increasing knowledge of the Holocaust, the terminal decline of the British Empire and the first stirrings of the Cold War must have raised some very fundamental questions in the minds of all thinking peoples. Adapting to the new age, the new reality, must have been difficult so it's not surprising that people struggled to come to terms with things. 

This is my 3rd Graham Greene novel and I’m looking forward to reading more by him. So far, they’ve all been very different and each, in their own way, something special. This might not appeal to everyone but I, for one, found it quite affecting. Definitely recommended.

[Oh, SIDE NOTE - The cover photograph is by Bert Hardy who I checked out later. He's excellent. Some of his work will be upcoming...] 

Happy Back to the Future Day....!!!

"Total deaths increased by 15 percent, making 2020 the deadliest year in recorded US history. The figure that will haunt America is that the US accounts for about 20 percent of all the Covid fatalities in the world, despite having only 4 percent of the population."

Lawrence Wright, The Plague Year - America in the Time of Covid.

Happy Birthday: Sir Philip Nicholas Outram Pullman CBE FRSL (born 19 October 1946) is an English writer. His books include the fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials and The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ, a fictionalised biography of Jesus. In 2008, The Times named Pullman one of the "50 greatest British writers since 1945". In a 2004 BBC poll, he was named the eleventh most influential person in British culture. He was knighted in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to literature.

Northern Lights, the first volume in His Dark Materials, won the 1995 Carnegie Medal of the Library Association as the year's outstanding English-language children's book. For the Carnegie's 70th anniversary, it was named in the top ten by a panel tasked with compiling a shortlist for a public vote for an all-time favourite. It won that public vote and was named all-time "Carnegie of Carnegies" in June 2007. It was filmed under the book's US title, The Golden Compass. In 2003, His Dark Materials trilogy ranked third in the BBC's The Big Read, a poll of 200 top novels voted by the British public.

[I LOVED Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy and devoured them on my first reading. I've read them all twice again since then. I enjoyed the movie version - especially after picturing Nicole Kidman as Mrs Coulter whilst reading the first book and being delighted when she was picked for the role - but struggled with the BBC adaptation. I might read the trilogy again at some point in the future.]  

Just Finished Reading: Pale Rider – The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It Changed the World by Laura Spinney (FP: 2017) [295pp] 

At first, they thought it was just the Flu, something ordinary, something familiar no matter how annoying. Anyway, there was a war on so a few sniffles, a few sick men was neither here nor there. There was no way in hell that they could quarantine a port or stop the troop ships sailing to France. The fate of the West was at stake. Even when the sick began to overwhelm the medics and soldiers, young, fit, men began to die in ever greater numbers the trains still picked up the apparently heathy from the training camps and crammed them into transports. As the outbreak spread across war-torn Europe it hit the Germans HARD. After 4 years of war and the effects of the British naval blockade both the soldiers and civilians were using up their last reserves of just about everything.  

When the war finally ended and soldiers began returning home – including millions of prisoners of war long held in unhealthy camps – the ‘Spanish’ flu (so-called because of its early reports in uncensored Spanish newspapers) spread across the world. The mortality rate varied widely but was generally agreed upon as roughly 2% overall. This doesn’t seem very much, but 2% was around 50-100 million dead across the globe. The rather large range estimate reflects the lack of records, the fact that the number of dead in Russia (which was going through the start of its Civil War at the time) might never be known, the number of Indian dead (likewise) may never be known because of lax record keeping in that British ‘protectorate’ and China was in a state of political and civil upheaval and this, probably, is where the majority of the deaths occurred. The flu killed more than the Great War and possibly killed more than the Second World War that followed it. At the top of the estimate figures it is even conceivable that the Spanish flu killed more people than BOTH World Wars combined. The death toll was far from being evenly distributed. Whilst New York suffered 0.5% deaths Rio suffered three times as many at 1.6%. Zamora in Spain doubled that at 3% whilst Gujarat in India doubled that again at 6%. Worst was to come in isolated communities such as Bristol Bay in Alaska that suffered 40% mortality. 

Interestingly, the Spanish flu had numerous similarities to the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Governments played down its impact (in this case so as not to ‘undermine the war effort’), argued about the cause and exactly where it came from. This was especially problematic at the time because viruses were essentially theoretical in 1918. Some cities in the US or countries elsewhere instituted basic public health measures like social distancing, masks, the closing of schools and stopping of public gatherings. Other places did not, or only did so half-heartedly. Once the war was over several US cities allowed parades and paid the price in the increased backlog at mortuaries. I did find it especially interesting that there were many reports of long-term impacts of the disease even after people had recovered. Examples of heart damage, fatigue and psychological problems possibly cause by brain damage exploded in the medical records of the time. Loss of smell, temporary loss of colour vision and much else was experienced. So-called ‘Long Covid’ no longer seems in the least as ‘exaggerated’ as some have suggested. 

No longer ‘forgotten’ after our recent experience of global pandemic, the Spanish flu had a significant global impact that is all too often overlooked in the shadow of the Great War. It must have been quite terrifying at the time (again compared to Covid) and I think we can learn quite a bit from the virus itself and how the world coped (and didn’t) with the disease. This was definitely one of the Science/History highlights of the year for me. Not only is it very well written but the author explores far more that the outbreak itself looking at its short-term and long-term impacts of humanity and human history. Fascinating and highly recommended – if you can handle the flashbacks to 2020!   

Just Finished re-Reading: Deathworld 1 by Harry Harrison (FP: 1960) [157pp] 

Interstellar gambler Jason dinAlt knew it was an offer he couldn’t refuse. The stranger was willing to hand over millions in seed money confident that Jason could turn those millions into the billion he needed. What the stranger needed such a huge amount for didn’t concern him. The challenge was everything. What Jason didn’t realise was just how much the casino would resent him walking away with such a huge sum and what they would do to stop that happening. Luckily the stranger had a ship waiting, a ship stuffed full of the most advanced weaponry humans could devise. Knowing that his life would be short and painful if he stayed, Jason told the stranger that he would be leaving with him. Their destination was the planet Pyrrus, a place that Jason had never heard of. The weapons in the hold were necessary to continue a war that had been raging with increasing intensity for generations, a war against the planet itself, a war that the colonists were losing. Jason was going to the most dangerous planet in the galaxy, a world where few lived into adulthood and where even fewer died in their beds. But how can a planet wage war, Jason asked? The answer to that question, if he survived long enough to get an answer, might just save everyone... 

I wasn’t intending to read this until next year as part of my plan to re-read the significant Sci-Fi works of my ‘youth’. However, my review pile was looking a little sparse so I decided to drop this one in early. As I first read this almost 50 years ago, I wasn’t greatly surprised that I had forgotten most of the plot. What did surprise me was that I did actually remember several aspects quite well – specifically the impressive guns they used and an incident during Jason’s survival training which made me laugh.  

Overall, I thought this was quite well written despite its age. There was an interesting mystery at the heart of the book and I was impressed at the way the author, through Jason, went about solving it. One of the most useful things I took from my early (teenage) reading of SF was the scientific mindset that often threaded its way through most narratives. Solutions, when needed, were not simply pulled out of a hat or handed down from above or ancient texts, but were worked out – sometimes through trial and error – using logic, reason and facts. Theories were tested, results noted and objectives changed. The characters discovered things through enquiry, with the acquisition of data. It, as far as I can tell looking back, changed the way I thought and saw the world. 

About the only questionable aspect of the book was the female lead character/love interest who, I thought, was rather poorly drawn and actually pretty irrelevant to the plot. Most of the rest of the characters – all men – were generally more rounded and at least had reasonable backstories and motivations even if they were a bit ‘over the top’ at times! I thought that this had dated pretty well and found myself enjoying the re-read quite a bit. Recommended to all Sci-Fi fans and more re-reads from this author to come. 

 

"The alternative to American pre-eminence was not a globe full of mini-Americas but a world dominated by tyrants. Freedom was at stake, as it always is, but America had tied itself into a political knot. The cyclonic forces of fascism and nihilism gained in power as the centre weakened. The only thing that kept democracy from winding up in a suicidal brawl of self interest was a sense of common purpose, but the pandemic exposed that the United States no longer had one."

Lawrence Wright - The Plague Year: America in the Time of Covid. 

The Last 10 Movies – October 2024 Edition 

I wonder if I’ve gotten out of the habit of watching movies. I used to drop a DVD into the player and happily watch a film most weekends, even one that lasted 2 hours or more. These days I struggle to give a movie 30 minutes of my attention unless I’m ‘trapped’ in a movie theatre with friends. I find it even harder, so it seems at least, to watch new movies. Is that a me problem or a Hollywood problem? It’s a good question. Personally, I’d say 25% me and 75% Hollywood. Back in the day it wasn’t unusual for me and the guys, and sometimes me on my own (when ‘allowed’) to see several new movies a month. Sometimes we even saw several movies a week – with occasional re-watching's thrown in. No more. I doubt if I’ve seen 3-4 movies this *year* at the local multiplex. I even struggle with seeing new (or at least new to me) movies on Prime. I’ve tried a few and either abandon them pretty quickly or at least before the half way mark. It seems that even ‘free’ movies these days simply aren’t worth the time invested. But I have at least managed 10 movies since my last report in August. A whole TWO are new to me – one viewed on the big screen with friends and one viewed on Prime. They are: 

Alien: Romulus (2024) 

A reasonable addition to the franchise. It had a generally good look & feel and I liked the young cast, especially the female lead. It was, however, too long and had too many false endings. Within the hour a friend had I had improved the script 200%. 

The Batman (2022) 

Surprisingly good and surprisingly dark (in every sense) variation on the Batman theme. I was honestly impressed by Robert Pattinson’s interpretation of the iconic troubled hero. As much as I enjoyed it though – it was still at least 30 minutes too long. 

Pacific Rim (2013) 

Giant robots fighting giant monsters. As an idea it really shouldn’t have worked, but it did. Even after multiple re-watching's this is still chocked fun of fun. Totally silly, totally awesome. 

Groundhog Day (1993) 

Quite possibly Bill Murray’s best (at least funniest) film. Re-living the same day over & over, just imagine the possibilities. Plus, it has the lovely Andie MacDowell in it. Bonus. 

Jurassic Park (1993) 

The original dino film and still up there with the best of them. Borderline silly at times but still great fun. Loved the cast especially Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern. 

Get Carter (1971) 

Hard-boiled hard-case British crime thriller with Michael Caine in Newcastle looking for who killed his brother. Gritty, nasty and brutal at times. Not for the easily offended. 

Terminator: Genisys (2017) 

A very nice addition to the Terminator franchise with some lovely homage set pieces throughout. One of my favourites in the sequence. 

Sicario (2015) 

Loved this movie – originally seen on the big screen – almost from the first few minutes. Totally brutal in places and dealing with some heavy subjects I found it completely captivation. Emily Blunt was outstanding and I just LOVED Josh Brolin’s character. He was obviously having far too much fun. 

Beetlejuice (1988) 

Comedy horror based around the idea of a recently deceased couple who want to scare away the new tenants of their home. Nowhere near as funny as I remembered it to be. Even Genna Davis and Winona Ryder couldn’t save it this time. 

Hard Boiled (1992) 

Totally over the top Hong Kong cop thriller where gun-running Chinese Triads are confronted by several overlapping police squads. Totally ridiculous shoot-outs (one in a hospital with automatic weapons and rocket launchers) and a very thin plot. Starred Chow Yun-Fat and directed by John Woo. 

Happy Birthday: Magnus Magnusson, KBE (born Magnús Sigursteinsson; 12 October 1929 – 7 January 2007) was an Icelandic-born British-based journalist, translator, writer and television presenter. Born in Reykjavík, he lived in Scotland for almost all his life, although he never took British citizenship. He came to prominence as a BBC television journalist and was the presenter of the BBC television quiz programme Mastermind for 25 years.

Magnusson presented the long-running quiz show Mastermind from 1972 to 1997 on BBC1. His catchphrase "I've started, so I'll finish", which his successors continued to use, was said whenever the time for questioning a contestant ran out while he was reading a question on the show. Magnusson made cameo appearances as himself, hosting Mastermind in Morecambe and Wise as well as the children's series Dizzy Heights and as Magnus Magnesium in The Goodies episode "Frankenfido". He also used his Mastermind catchphrase in a television advertisement for cheese.

Magnusson translated or co-translated a variety of books from modern Icelandic and Old Norse into English. Among these are several works by Halldór Laxness, the Nobel prize-winning novelist from Iceland, as well as a number of Norse sagas, which he co-translated (with Hermann Pálsson) for Penguin Classics: Njal's Saga (1960), The Vinland Sagas (1965), King Harald's Saga (1966) and Laxdæla Saga (1969).

[I LOVED Mastermind growing up and it was a significant part of my teenage years. I'm a big fan of 'up market' quiz shows - my other big favourite of the era was University Challenge - and I enjoyed getting answers right before the contestants (or the rest of the family).]