The Telegraph General Knowledge Crosswords 5 (The Telegraph Puzzle Books)

Not too easy

I love that it’s now all on one page opening - easy to read clues and fill in the grid on one spread. Bought a previous edition that was on different pages and I gave up as it was so fiddly.I wish the Telegraph had other GK crosswords in the week as well as Saturdays and Mondays. I hate cryptic crosswords!JH

Enjoyed the crosswords very much as they were very varied.

Well presented in a user friendly, larger, format, with grid and clues on the same page. Some clues do reappear throughout the book, so it can be a test of recent memory as well. If you can manage to complete an entire puzzle, you’re a genius!

As others have noted, these crosswords are well-nigh impossible to complete. To get within 3 or 4 is a triumph. Less than ten a very worthwhile achievement. I speak as a GK crossword lover. The topics are predictable and, as with all GK compilers, have far to much to do with the compiler's own pet interests: in this case obscure artists and composers stand out. Not to mention constellations! Classical education is a must - again, in common with most compilers. You can almost have a checklist of themes that will inevitably arise in every crossword. Don't look for any sport or moden music (not that I am complaining about that last one!). I would say that, again in common with many compilers, his aim is show his depth of knowledge rather than to entertain his audience. What, though, is the point of crosswords that you can invariably complete? The only way of looking at it is to compare it with a quiz. You don't expect to get them all right, do you? Treat these crosswords as a GK quiz with clues chucked in, and the possibility of some guesswork and you will be much happier. They are as addictive as a computer game. Will you do better on the next one?Finally, the format, is very cramped. These are big crosswords for two pages each. If you have any sight problems you will need magnifying glasses or strong specs. It is easier to use than the previous format (which I would not buy) but is it beyond the wit of the Telegraph to have bigger pages? So learned and yet so stupid!

Love these books with new format. Super speedy delivery

The layout of the pages now mean that the crossword is on one side and all the clues on the opposite page. Previously the clues were on two pages which wasn't convenient.

This is a good crossword book and will give many hours of pleasure - or frustration when you can’t recall that word!

Excellent. All on one page so no photocopying. Good mind-and-knowledge stretching puzzles.

Great crossword. BUT. The print is sooooooo small, that I have to use a magnifying glass. It’s vey tiring and I have normal sight. Goodness knows what people who have to wear glasses for reading will cope.