"A Wizard of Earthsea", by Ursula LeGuin

Novel, 1968

Fantasy story about identity, self-determination and a whole stack of monsters, spirits and mythological bits and pieces. In places, there's some tension - particularly in the accounts of the pivotal conflicts between Ged and the shadow - although those who find it difficult to stomach magic staffs and dragons may not be able to see past them to any serious political point the author may have intended. As the first part of a trilogy, the ending wasn't too scrappy, but this probably remains for fantasy fans only.

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"Still Alice", directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland

Movie, 2014

Gripping account of a woman's struggle with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease. While this is story of heart-rending intensity, and while there's no ambiguity or bright hope of a change in an inevitable outcome, the narrative is compelling and the incidents portrayed remain interesting. Some wonderful acting, not least by Julianne Moore, around whom the emotions and focus intensify, even as her own mental state deteriorates. A moving film with huge, direct power.

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"Clock Without Hands", by Carson McCullers

Novel, 1961

Gloomy novel set in the American South, where dramas and the coming of age, death, social class and family relationships are set against a backdrop of racial tension and the emergence of integration. This is a story of high drama and incident, although the handling and writing are well measured. It's quite a page turner too, and all the characters are compelling, even the judge, who's clearly out-of-time and out of shape and an outrageous bigot, but still well drawn and who, to some extent, retains some sympathy.

"Inferno," directed by Dario Argento

Movie, 1980

Dreamy horror, full of deserted buildings, surreal sets, a progressive rock soundtrack and blood. All these elements are wonderfully realised, giving the film an excellent tension, although the story seems a little confused and the acting, every now and again, stultifying. The violence is nasty, although this goes with the territory. An effective piece, all in all; at least it would have been if only the story and direction could just have been given a little more of a leg up over the grisly set pieces.

"Lady Oracle," by Margaret Atwood

Novel, 1976

Enthralling novel about identity and self-determination, in which narratives are used to explore relationships drawn in sweeping fashion and sometimes bizarre characters interact with occasionally fantastical plot elements. While the ending might feel a little woolly, this is essentially a compelling, empathetic account of the heroine, whose guises and disguises see her running away from herself and constantly, compulsively reinventing herself. A book for literature buffs who can handle seances and characters called The Royal Porcupine.

"A Serious Man", directed by Coen Brothers

Movie, 2009

A film which looks good, has some funny moments, but which doesn't quite snap and engage the viewer perhaps as much as it might have done. The plot revolves around a seriously unravelling, but very typical and "comfortable" middle-class family and touches on a number of domestic crises, many of which involve mental health issues. In doing so, there aren't, however, any real points made or markers set, and the narrative drifts rather than drives.