Only Connect: The Official Quiz Book

I am a huge fan of Only Connect - I've even been to the auditions (failed!) - and I have been waiting for this book for years. And it was worth the wait because this book captures the show perfectly.If you have not seen Only Connect... well, it prides itself on being the most difficult quiz show on TV (and with the least rewards). And it is (in both categories). When you see the show on TV for the first time it takes a while to even understand what the questions are leave alone answer them. But if stay with it, the joy of getting your first one right can result in well-deserved laps of honour around the living room.The book is very like that. Overall it is really is aimed at fans of the show. There are some "in" jokes, and it takes few prisoners, other than the first few questions being "easier" than the later ones (much like the opening rounds of the show itself). Quite what anyone who has never seen Only Connect would make of it I cannot imagine. Complete bewilderment probablyThe voice of presenter Victoria Coren-Mitchell shines through, not only in the introduction, which is great fun, and the prefaces to each round of questions, but in the answers as well.The actual questions mirror the show with all four rounds (Connections, Sequences, Connecting Wall, and Missing vowels) represented with questions that have appeared on the show itself (except for the final, fifth "Audition" section). As a quiz book it is somewhat unusual in that the answer to each question is on the next page... with a discussion on how the original contestants got on with it, with the odd VCM comment often thrown in.Incidentally this means that if you are reading the Kindle version on a PC/laptop you really want it set to show only one page at a time as otherwise the answers can pop up with the questions, which is annoying.The Kindle version does have some pluses over the print. The Connecting Walls have a "clue" link (very un-OC one feels - purists will not use them) and when it comes to the the fifth, Audition, section (which is without answers and is a means to put yourself forward for appearing on the show) it links seamlessly to the website allowing you to enter your responses. All it lacks is the clock ticking down.The Audition section at the end is really quite clever mildly interactive experience. How would you score against real OC teams? In my case.... an okay, but could do better 33. These questions are not easy and having been through the audition process I have to say that these are the sort of question you will get certainly in the paper pre-audition, and probably in the audition itself, where you get hit with questions exclusively from the final stages of the quiz - quarter-finals at least, if not semi-finals or final.The only real downside to the Kindle is the inability to be able to scribble on the page, which would be especially useful in the Connecting Walls. That said, if you do a Print Screen and paste it into Paint you can then move the boxes around - so in some respects again the Kindle version is maybe better than the printed book.The only minor quibble with the book itself is that the pictures in the picture questions could have done with being in colour at times. Its hard to work out what some are, but then that is Only Connect for you. Making it easier is exactly what it will not do.The only other quibble... its not long enough! I want more!!Overall - absolutely not to be missed.

Overall this is a brilliant book that accurately represents the challenges of the show. It's broken into the four rounds you'll be familiar with: connections, sequences, connecting walls and missing vowels. You'll need a few bookmarks you save your place in each of the sections and obscure the clues to allow you to gradually reveal them. My partner and I have been working through the book in short 10-15 minute bursts over the past 7 months and have now completed it.My only real criticism is that the picture clues are terrible. The print quality is so low that you can't make out what half of them are meant to be. Fortunately they are only a very small percentage of the questions so I still thought 5 stars was appropriate in spite of this annoyance!

Gawd bless the BBC for finding space for this nerd-fest. Easily the most challenging quiz on TV (not necessarily because of any specialist/niche knowledge required, but because of those lateral thinking skills needed to make the connections). And Jack Waley-Cohen’s book version does pretty well in attempting to replicate the on-air experience. There’s a generous and diverse range of questions and topics covered. Victoria Coren-Mitchell’s intro and “asides” provide the expected empathy for the “outsider” character of the contestants – and her usual welcome brand of (sometimes “strained”) wit.As others have pointed out, sometimes smaller or more detailed images in the picture rounds don’t reproduce well on a Kindle. And you might need to play around with settings to get the best experience on those devices.Otherwise this is largely a big thumbs up for a way of engaging the geek in your life. And with the original “official book” at the reduced price, it’s good value.If you enjoy this kind of thing, and can forgive the naked self-promotion, please look at my “A Cryptic Quiz” (144 conundrums to amuse, bemuse and confuse). There’s a pretty generous free sample to view.

As a family Only Connect is a programme we sit down to watch together. Bought the book for our holidays . Because it was being used for family entertainment some of the picture rounds had to be adapted. That said it didn’t stop us enjoying the book

Good product and fast delivery

Bought for a big Only Connect fan for her birthday. Really good book, but one thing I would say is that because the images are just black and white some of them aren’t brilliantly clear.

Was very quick delivery book was as described (good condition)

Bought as a gift and really good fun to do as a team or on your own even. Makes it slightly easier than the show as you can have longer to look at the puzzles, and discuss for a longer time. Still not easy though. Really glad I bought this and went down a treat.

Not only is it the best quiz show EVER (University Challenge being a close second).. the book is everything you would want it to be, short of actually seeing the show.This is why the BBC is fundamental... its documentaries, Radio 4, HIGNFY, the Antiques Roadshow, Newsnight and endless other programmes (even the early morning shows), justify the license fee. Long may the BBC remain advert free.The book is so much fun... and you don't have the 40-second time limit!Buy it!

A book for aficionados watching 'Only Connect' on TV. Challenging rounds and all answers fully explained.