Anna Shechtman

The Riddles of the Sphinx offers an interesting exploration of the role women have played in the invention, development, and popularity of the crossword puzzle. This is a hybrid sort of read: part history, part memoir, as the author, Anna Shechtman, is herself a creator of crosswords. The historic portions surprise and are contextualized in ways that connect the world of puzzling with key moments of 20th Century history. The memoir sections varied in their effectiveness. At times Shechtman's reflections illuminated her topic—at others, they illuminated her personal story more than the history of crossowords and felt extraneous.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.… (mere)