Ian Mond
@mondyboy74.bsky.social
I write reviews for Locus Magazine. I had a podcast called Writer and the Critic which I co-hosted with Kirstyn McDermott. The episodes are out there. I love the Carlton Football club. What more do you need to know!?
At the Nova Mob I went through my top 10 books for the year. From that list, the book I would recommend if you need a break from the current shitshow it’s @taracampbell.bsky.social City of Dancing Gargoyles. Pure delight, without being remotely sentimental or twee. All imagination. No filler.
November 8, 2024 at 8:22 AM
At the Nova Mob I went through my top 10 books for the year. From that list, the book I would recommend if you need a break from the current shitshow it’s @taracampbell.bsky.social City of Dancing Gargoyles. Pure delight, without being remotely sentimental or twee. All imagination. No filler.
One of the greatest comedies ever made that won’t be for everyone. My review of Nathan For You.
mondyboy.com?p=9996
mondyboy.com?p=9996
May 18, 2024 at 5:45 AM
One of the greatest comedies ever made that won’t be for everyone. My review of Nathan For You.
mondyboy.com?p=9996
mondyboy.com?p=9996
Here’s my review of The Railway Children. (My first ever Nesbit, because I spent most of my childhood reading Doctor Who).
mondyboy.com?p=9990
mondyboy.com?p=9990
May 12, 2024 at 9:28 AM
Here’s my review of The Railway Children. (My first ever Nesbit, because I spent most of my childhood reading Doctor Who).
mondyboy.com?p=9990
mondyboy.com?p=9990
Books Read: A Marsh Island by Sarah Orne Jewett
Richard, “Dick” Dale is a New York artist who has come to the salt marshes of Sussex, Massachusetts (a placeholder for Essex, Massachusetts) to do some sketching. When the bloke meant to pick him up fails to arrive, Dale takes
Richard, “Dick” Dale is a New York artist who has come to the salt marshes of Sussex, Massachusetts (a placeholder for Essex, Massachusetts) to do some sketching. When the bloke meant to pick him up fails to arrive, Dale takes
May 5, 2024 at 9:22 AM
Books Read: A Marsh Island by Sarah Orne Jewett
Richard, “Dick” Dale is a New York artist who has come to the salt marshes of Sussex, Massachusetts (a placeholder for Essex, Massachusetts) to do some sketching. When the bloke meant to pick him up fails to arrive, Dale takes
Richard, “Dick” Dale is a New York artist who has come to the salt marshes of Sussex, Massachusetts (a placeholder for Essex, Massachusetts) to do some sketching. When the bloke meant to pick him up fails to arrive, Dale takes
Books Read: The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman
Grossman’s new novel, his first since wrapping up The Magicians trilogy, is an absolute banger. Yes, it’s another reworking of the King Arthur tale in a market saturated with Arthuriana, but like Lavie Tidhar’s By Force Alone,
Grossman’s new novel, his first since wrapping up The Magicians trilogy, is an absolute banger. Yes, it’s another reworking of the King Arthur tale in a market saturated with Arthuriana, but like Lavie Tidhar’s By Force Alone,
May 4, 2024 at 10:32 AM
Books Read: The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman
Grossman’s new novel, his first since wrapping up The Magicians trilogy, is an absolute banger. Yes, it’s another reworking of the King Arthur tale in a market saturated with Arthuriana, but like Lavie Tidhar’s By Force Alone,
Grossman’s new novel, his first since wrapping up The Magicians trilogy, is an absolute banger. Yes, it’s another reworking of the King Arthur tale in a market saturated with Arthuriana, but like Lavie Tidhar’s By Force Alone,
Books Read: The Children of Men by P. D. James
I loved the movie when it came out — that tracking shot is seared in my memory — and I always meant to read the book but never got around to it (so thanks, Backlisted).
And what a strange, unsettling,
I loved the movie when it came out — that tracking shot is seared in my memory — and I always meant to read the book but never got around to it (so thanks, Backlisted).
And what a strange, unsettling,
May 1, 2024 at 9:07 AM
Books Read: The Children of Men by P. D. James
I loved the movie when it came out — that tracking shot is seared in my memory — and I always meant to read the book but never got around to it (so thanks, Backlisted).
And what a strange, unsettling,
I loved the movie when it came out — that tracking shot is seared in my memory — and I always meant to read the book but never got around to it (so thanks, Backlisted).
And what a strange, unsettling,
Books Read: The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wasteland by Sarah Brooks
This debut novel takes the majestic glory of the Trans-Siberian Railway and turns the journey into a horror show, a devastated land of mutated flora and fauna akin to the
This debut novel takes the majestic glory of the Trans-Siberian Railway and turns the journey into a horror show, a devastated land of mutated flora and fauna akin to the
April 30, 2024 at 9:16 AM
Books Read: The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wasteland by Sarah Brooks
This debut novel takes the majestic glory of the Trans-Siberian Railway and turns the journey into a horror show, a devastated land of mutated flora and fauna akin to the
This debut novel takes the majestic glory of the Trans-Siberian Railway and turns the journey into a horror show, a devastated land of mutated flora and fauna akin to the
Books (Poetry) Read: All My Pretty Ones by Anne Sexton
Because of Backlisted, I’ve now read two confessional poets: John Berryman and Anne Sexton.
Based on this slim volume - her second published in 1962* - Sexton is the more accessible of the two. What they have in
Because of Backlisted, I’ve now read two confessional poets: John Berryman and Anne Sexton.
Based on this slim volume - her second published in 1962* - Sexton is the more accessible of the two. What they have in
April 28, 2024 at 1:50 AM
Books (Poetry) Read: All My Pretty Ones by Anne Sexton
Because of Backlisted, I’ve now read two confessional poets: John Berryman and Anne Sexton.
Based on this slim volume - her second published in 1962* - Sexton is the more accessible of the two. What they have in
Because of Backlisted, I’ve now read two confessional poets: John Berryman and Anne Sexton.
Based on this slim volume - her second published in 1962* - Sexton is the more accessible of the two. What they have in
Books Read: Deadwood by Pete Dexter
Apparently, David Milch hadn’t read Dexter’s Deadwood before penning the TV series. While readers of the novel have doubted the claim, I’m happy to take Milch at his word.* The story of Deadwood, an illegal
Apparently, David Milch hadn’t read Dexter’s Deadwood before penning the TV series. While readers of the novel have doubted the claim, I’m happy to take Milch at his word.* The story of Deadwood, an illegal
April 26, 2024 at 6:39 AM
Books Read: Deadwood by Pete Dexter
Apparently, David Milch hadn’t read Dexter’s Deadwood before penning the TV series. While readers of the novel have doubted the claim, I’m happy to take Milch at his word.* The story of Deadwood, an illegal
Apparently, David Milch hadn’t read Dexter’s Deadwood before penning the TV series. While readers of the novel have doubted the claim, I’m happy to take Milch at his word.* The story of Deadwood, an illegal
Books Read: Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera
This novel is as exciting as Chandrasekra’s debut, the brilliant (and now multiple award nominated) The Saint of Bright Doors. But where The Saint of Bright Doors is an
This novel is as exciting as Chandrasekra’s debut, the brilliant (and now multiple award nominated) The Saint of Bright Doors. But where The Saint of Bright Doors is an
April 25, 2024 at 1:38 AM
Books Read: Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera
This novel is as exciting as Chandrasekra’s debut, the brilliant (and now multiple award nominated) The Saint of Bright Doors. But where The Saint of Bright Doors is an
This novel is as exciting as Chandrasekra’s debut, the brilliant (and now multiple award nominated) The Saint of Bright Doors. But where The Saint of Bright Doors is an
Books Read: The Glutton by A. E. Blakemore
The Glutton is a fictionalised account of Tarrare (spelt in the novel as Tarare), a showman, French Revolutionary soldier and woefully under-prepared spy who was known, to quote Wikipedia, for “his
The Glutton is a fictionalised account of Tarrare (spelt in the novel as Tarare), a showman, French Revolutionary soldier and woefully under-prepared spy who was known, to quote Wikipedia, for “his
April 9, 2024 at 9:36 AM
Books Read: The Glutton by A. E. Blakemore
The Glutton is a fictionalised account of Tarrare (spelt in the novel as Tarare), a showman, French Revolutionary soldier and woefully under-prepared spy who was known, to quote Wikipedia, for “his
The Glutton is a fictionalised account of Tarrare (spelt in the novel as Tarare), a showman, French Revolutionary soldier and woefully under-prepared spy who was known, to quote Wikipedia, for “his
Books Read: Days of Innocence and Wonder by Lucy Treloar
I didn’t get along with this novel.
I need to take some of the blame here. There’s an understated lyricism to the prose, punctuated by
I didn’t get along with this novel.
I need to take some of the blame here. There’s an understated lyricism to the prose, punctuated by
April 6, 2024 at 4:05 AM
Books Read: Days of Innocence and Wonder by Lucy Treloar
I didn’t get along with this novel.
I need to take some of the blame here. There’s an understated lyricism to the prose, punctuated by
I didn’t get along with this novel.
I need to take some of the blame here. There’s an understated lyricism to the prose, punctuated by
Books Read: Erasure by Percival Everett
I read this for a couple of reasons. One, I’ve been meaning to read Everett since I picked up a copy of “I Am Not Sidney Poitier” (which remains unread on my shelf, though
I read this for a couple of reasons. One, I’ve been meaning to read Everett since I picked up a copy of “I Am Not Sidney Poitier” (which remains unread on my shelf, though
April 4, 2024 at 9:43 AM
Books Read: Erasure by Percival Everett
I read this for a couple of reasons. One, I’ve been meaning to read Everett since I picked up a copy of “I Am Not Sidney Poitier” (which remains unread on my shelf, though
I read this for a couple of reasons. One, I’ve been meaning to read Everett since I picked up a copy of “I Am Not Sidney Poitier” (which remains unread on my shelf, though
Movies Watched: No Hard Feelings, directed by Gene Stupnitsky
This movie is better than it has any right to be.
And that’s for one reason and one reason only: Jennifer Lawrence. I knew she had
This movie is better than it has any right to be.
And that’s for one reason and one reason only: Jennifer Lawrence. I knew she had
April 2, 2024 at 7:49 AM
Movies Watched: No Hard Feelings, directed by Gene Stupnitsky
This movie is better than it has any right to be.
And that’s for one reason and one reason only: Jennifer Lawrence. I knew she had
This movie is better than it has any right to be.
And that’s for one reason and one reason only: Jennifer Lawrence. I knew she had
Books Read: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
I love that the literary mainstream has adopted time travel; it’s no longer just the province of genre writers. Yes, it means that some authors reheat old ideas, but for the
I love that the literary mainstream has adopted time travel; it’s no longer just the province of genre writers. Yes, it means that some authors reheat old ideas, but for the
March 31, 2024 at 8:13 AM
Books Read: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
I love that the literary mainstream has adopted time travel; it’s no longer just the province of genre writers. Yes, it means that some authors reheat old ideas, but for the
I love that the literary mainstream has adopted time travel; it’s no longer just the province of genre writers. Yes, it means that some authors reheat old ideas, but for the
Books Read: The Godwits Fly by Robin Hyde
I have similar feelings toward The Godwits Fly as I do to Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! - which was published two years before Godwits. In both cases, I found them challenging, fascinating, confronting
I have similar feelings toward The Godwits Fly as I do to Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! - which was published two years before Godwits. In both cases, I found them challenging, fascinating, confronting
March 30, 2024 at 9:07 AM
Books Read: The Godwits Fly by Robin Hyde
I have similar feelings toward The Godwits Fly as I do to Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! - which was published two years before Godwits. In both cases, I found them challenging, fascinating, confronting
I have similar feelings toward The Godwits Fly as I do to Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! - which was published two years before Godwits. In both cases, I found them challenging, fascinating, confronting
Movies Watched: American Fiction, directed by Cord Jefferson.
I liked this, but I didn’t love it.
I know it’s a good film. Jeffrey Wright is wonderful as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (and, for that matter, so are
I liked this, but I didn’t love it.
I know it’s a good film. Jeffrey Wright is wonderful as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (and, for that matter, so are
March 24, 2024 at 8:35 AM
Movies Watched: American Fiction, directed by Cord Jefferson.
I liked this, but I didn’t love it.
I know it’s a good film. Jeffrey Wright is wonderful as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (and, for that matter, so are
I liked this, but I didn’t love it.
I know it’s a good film. Jeffrey Wright is wonderful as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (and, for that matter, so are
Books Read: Mood Swings by Frankie Barnett
Mood Swings gave me Fight Club flashbacks. They are very different novels, structurally and tonally, but they are both satires that deal with a generation disaffected by capitalism.
Mood Swings gave me Fight Club flashbacks. They are very different novels, structurally and tonally, but they are both satires that deal with a generation disaffected by capitalism.
March 23, 2024 at 9:53 AM
Books Read: Mood Swings by Frankie Barnett
Mood Swings gave me Fight Club flashbacks. They are very different novels, structurally and tonally, but they are both satires that deal with a generation disaffected by capitalism.
Mood Swings gave me Fight Club flashbacks. They are very different novels, structurally and tonally, but they are both satires that deal with a generation disaffected by capitalism.
TV Shows Watched: Slow Horses Season 3
Will Smith (not the actor) has done a magnificent job adapting the first two books. But with Season 3, he has outdone himself.
Will Smith (not the actor) has done a magnificent job adapting the first two books. But with Season 3, he has outdone himself.
March 21, 2024 at 9:28 AM
TV Shows Watched: Slow Horses Season 3
Will Smith (not the actor) has done a magnificent job adapting the first two books. But with Season 3, he has outdone himself.
Will Smith (not the actor) has done a magnificent job adapting the first two books. But with Season 3, he has outdone himself.
Books Read: Takaoka’s Travels by Tatsuhiko Shibusawa, translated by David Boyd
This bawdy, funny, surreal novel imagines Imperial Prince Takaoka’s pilgrimage to India in the 9th Century, a journey he never completed, eaten (apparently) by a
This bawdy, funny, surreal novel imagines Imperial Prince Takaoka’s pilgrimage to India in the 9th Century, a journey he never completed, eaten (apparently) by a
March 18, 2024 at 9:38 AM
Books Read: Takaoka’s Travels by Tatsuhiko Shibusawa, translated by David Boyd
This bawdy, funny, surreal novel imagines Imperial Prince Takaoka’s pilgrimage to India in the 9th Century, a journey he never completed, eaten (apparently) by a
This bawdy, funny, surreal novel imagines Imperial Prince Takaoka’s pilgrimage to India in the 9th Century, a journey he never completed, eaten (apparently) by a
Movies Watched: Dune Part Two, directed by Denis Villeneuve.
Lynch’s Dune is one of the great films of modern cinema and you’re never going to convince me otherwise. I watched it at an impressionable age and an impression is most certainly left. (The scene where
Lynch’s Dune is one of the great films of modern cinema and you’re never going to convince me otherwise. I watched it at an impressionable age and an impression is most certainly left. (The scene where
March 16, 2024 at 10:23 AM
Movies Watched: Dune Part Two, directed by Denis Villeneuve.
Lynch’s Dune is one of the great films of modern cinema and you’re never going to convince me otherwise. I watched it at an impressionable age and an impression is most certainly left. (The scene where
Lynch’s Dune is one of the great films of modern cinema and you’re never going to convince me otherwise. I watched it at an impressionable age and an impression is most certainly left. (The scene where
Movies Watched: The Zone of Interest, directed by Jonathan Glazer.
My brother said it best: magnificent film, but will never watch it again. The movie is loosely (very, very loosely) based on the Martin Amis novel of the same name and centres on Rudolf Hoss, the
My brother said it best: magnificent film, but will never watch it again. The movie is loosely (very, very loosely) based on the Martin Amis novel of the same name and centres on Rudolf Hoss, the
March 6, 2024 at 8:14 AM
Movies Watched: The Zone of Interest, directed by Jonathan Glazer.
My brother said it best: magnificent film, but will never watch it again. The movie is loosely (very, very loosely) based on the Martin Amis novel of the same name and centres on Rudolf Hoss, the
My brother said it best: magnificent film, but will never watch it again. The movie is loosely (very, very loosely) based on the Martin Amis novel of the same name and centres on Rudolf Hoss, the
Books Read: Prophet by Sin Blaché and Helen MacDonald
I enjoyed Prophet, but not as much as some others have. It’s got a great premise, strong themes and two magnificent protagonists, but it also drags a little around the middle.
I enjoyed Prophet, but not as much as some others have. It’s got a great premise, strong themes and two magnificent protagonists, but it also drags a little around the middle.
March 5, 2024 at 8:22 AM
Books Read: Prophet by Sin Blaché and Helen MacDonald
I enjoyed Prophet, but not as much as some others have. It’s got a great premise, strong themes and two magnificent protagonists, but it also drags a little around the middle.
I enjoyed Prophet, but not as much as some others have. It’s got a great premise, strong themes and two magnificent protagonists, but it also drags a little around the middle.
Books Read: Scouse Mouse (or I Never Got Over It) by George Melly
This boisterous autobiography covers Melly’s childhood. If, like me, you have never heard of Melly, this book won’t help much because there are only brief glimpses of Melly the adult. Not that it
This boisterous autobiography covers Melly’s childhood. If, like me, you have never heard of Melly, this book won’t help much because there are only brief glimpses of Melly the adult. Not that it
March 4, 2024 at 9:49 AM
Books Read: Scouse Mouse (or I Never Got Over It) by George Melly
This boisterous autobiography covers Melly’s childhood. If, like me, you have never heard of Melly, this book won’t help much because there are only brief glimpses of Melly the adult. Not that it
This boisterous autobiography covers Melly’s childhood. If, like me, you have never heard of Melly, this book won’t help much because there are only brief glimpses of Melly the adult. Not that it
Movies Watched: The Holdovers, directed by Alexander Payne
What a lovely film. I won’t hear a bad word about it! Set in 1970, the consistently excellent Paul Giamatti plays the curmudgeonly Paul Hunham, a classics professor at Barton Academy, a New England boarding school. As the holidays approach,
What a lovely film. I won’t hear a bad word about it! Set in 1970, the consistently excellent Paul Giamatti plays the curmudgeonly Paul Hunham, a classics professor at Barton Academy, a New England boarding school. As the holidays approach,
March 3, 2024 at 12:15 AM
Movies Watched: The Holdovers, directed by Alexander Payne
What a lovely film. I won’t hear a bad word about it! Set in 1970, the consistently excellent Paul Giamatti plays the curmudgeonly Paul Hunham, a classics professor at Barton Academy, a New England boarding school. As the holidays approach,
What a lovely film. I won’t hear a bad word about it! Set in 1970, the consistently excellent Paul Giamatti plays the curmudgeonly Paul Hunham, a classics professor at Barton Academy, a New England boarding school. As the holidays approach,