David Astle, that’s DA, has a new book out.
DA’s specialty is riddles: he releases a whole set of them each week. Now, there’s Riddledom:
‘If you think riddles are solely the stuff of schoolyards and Christmas crackers, you’re about to have your head refurbished’ – David Astle
Welcome to a weird new word adventure from David Astle. Join him, as he plunges into the realm of riddles, chasing down and prising open 101 curious questions from around the planet.
- Why are ladies like arrows?
- When is a bird not a bird?
- What do you call a nun with a washing machine on her head?
A mind-trip across time and place, RIDDLEDOM uncovers relics from over 50 cultures, delving into language and deception, sampling Pompeii walls and Dothraki warriors.
Readers can unravel each mini-chapter, wrestling with riddles from Wonderland or Zanzibar, Oedipus Rex or Harry Potter. Come meet French acrobats, coffee slaves, lusty maids and many more along the way. RIDDLEDOM is your chance to roam Tasmania and Mongolia, Fiji and Peru, seeking riddles on clay tablets and Popsicle sticks.
And to celebrate its publishing, Allen & Unwin have made three copies available to me to give away.
So to get yourself a copy, make a cryptic clue whose answer is RIDDLEDOM. The authors of the three clues I consider the best will be sent a copy of Riddledom.
Please limit yourself to two submissions just for my sanity. Do note: I have a weakness for &lit clues, Spoonerisms and slightly blue references.
Clue submissions will close at 23:59 on Tuesday, 8th of September. I’ll announce the winners the following day.
The Book of David will abolish initial doubts of model in decline. (9)
Book bore Portuguese title (9)
Spooner to waste time with memory book (9)
Capital almost held drop-headed rook book …
Short emperor played in rent capital (9)
Das book by Fiddlemore Diddleless.
Extreme cleric with Abe’s star is back in fashion (9)
Love DA Nuts!
or:
Das book to fiddle more, diddle less
These are all so clever. Just goes to show how much DA is impacting our brains?!?
Ouch just realised ours missed the definition – so throw the word Book in front of them all :-(
Book opening Dutch mantra after closed book …
Astle’s work in large brassiere held by muddy whip-wielder (9)
Enigma champagne (9)
Winston’s Russia gets man from Lisbon (9)
Das Kevin leaves me for you to join French Benedictine monk
“Holey Mantra,” David’s writing. (9)
David’s volume fine-tuned using middle rod. (9)
Sixties fashion returns after worn out chicken
query develops brain cells by beginner ducklings antibodies
Damaged home contents: David’s latest concern (9)
Without a lie, “milder dildoe” figured in DA’s book (9)
Spooner swindles short affair for DA’s tale (9)
Prosecutor’s child hacks dark knight’s nemesis with laid back squad.
I’m needing more help with some of these than this week’s DA…!
I see a crossword in our future that is going to feature a number of these. :)
Large cups in moldier book (9)
Conundrum with teddy boy rival leads to duck’s ass arrest (9)
I have not posted to the main site before as my ability to complete a crossword from DA is rare, but I am enjoying the challenge of this thread!
oops I just realized only two submissions – apologies…
Bill, this is my first ‘please explain’ as it’s driving me nuts!
“Extreme cleric with Abe’s star is back in fashion (9)”
Last 3 words is EDOM but the rest?
Cleric=Rabbi
Extreme=take the outside letters only =RI
Abes star=The movie Lincoln whose star was Daniel Day Lewis=DDL
Actually I wouldnt mind most of the above explained. It is surprising how different all of our clues are.
Oh, well done. I don’t think I’d have got that in a long time …..!
Daisy, your turn …!
“Sixties fashion returns after worn out chicken
query develops brain cells by beginner ducklings antibodies”….?
Thanks Bill for your explanation!
Riddledom
“Q & A for Spooner’s trick of memory”
Great fun thanks
Hi Robin
Here goes – maybe I was too wordy?
“Sixties fashion” = MOD
“Returns” = DOM
“After ” = DOM is placed at the end
“worn out chicken query” = ie “why did the
chicken cross the road” = RIDDLE
“Develops brain cells” ie a DA book
“By beginner ducklings antibodies = DA = ie first
letters of ducklings & antibodies
— my husband and I read “confusions” each Friday &
participate from the side lines – so much fun & a great challenge
– thanks to all the regulars who help us learn & make progress