100 brain-benders sure to test the creative mind. Looking for a challenge? Be sure to check out puzzle previews by clicking on the book image
Crossword Art is a collection of 100 expert-level nontraditional crosswords requiring aspiring solvers to think outside the box. Combining humor and trivia with serious mental calisthenics, Crossword Art takes crosswords in a decidedly different direction. Well, several different directions.
Each American-style puzzle has been carefully designed around one or more themes that dominate the action. While most traditional crosswords focus on long themed entries and large areas of white space, there is no room to spare here. Themes, pangrams and puns abound in compact designs up to 15x15 squared. With the creative freedom of a blank canvas and no rules, anything goes.
Beyond the crosswords themselves are rewards at the bottom of each page - Challenges and Word Games to extend the theme. There are also unique features designed to customize the level of challenge. No one enjoys finishing 99% of a puzzle only to be stuck where an old French currency crosses a 19th century opera singer. Crossword Art has an innovative 'Anagrams' page where three of each page's toughest entries can be found. Theme(s) are found in a similar section, both in non-spoiler and spoiler fashion.
Some of what you'll find:
* Normal crosswords with crazy clues.
* Crazy crosswords with normal clues.
* Crazy crosswords with, well, crazy clues.
* Ancient treasures: Greek letters, Roman numerals... and Pig Latin?
* Grid lines - always necessary?
* Words that twist and turn.
* Tons of trivia tied to English's quirks
* 'Tribute puzzles' to all sorts of English language weirdness.
* Clues that tell a story or connect together.
* Grid adornments and other designs... sometimes just for fun, but sometimes purposeful.
* Literal wordplay, especially in the titles and extra games.
* Rhymes, songs and really long words crammed into tiny spaces, and
even a crossword that must be solved as a logic puzzle.
What you will not find:
* Rigid rules of construction.
* Dumbed-down content.
My advise to testers was to approach each puzzle as a jigsaw, piecing it together slowly. Did I mention using a pencil? I understand the satisfaction of finishing the Sunday puzzles in pen, but it's just not that kind of collection.
Why is it Crossword "Art"? The art was in exploring/exploding themes and highlighting the best and strangest of what English has to offer. I hope you enjoy the challenge.
-George Wunder
(some samples on Facebook, at facebook.com/CrosswordArt) If you like the book, please leave feedback