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thewellbitch's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
aurorabulgaris's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely amazing book! I think the last time I was so excited was when I first read a book by Terry Pratchett! Lovely lovely read! Wholeheartedly recommend!
paintonmycat's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
dornage's review
4.0
What an absurd comedy.
I'm glad I've read Douglas Adams, Tim Dorsey, Connie Willis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Christopher Moore. Their wildly topsy turvy tales prepared me for this in all the right ways.
Do you think writers like this start with a basic premise or setting, like time travel or the film industry, and just mad lib their way through the rest of the framework?
I'm glad I've read Douglas Adams, Tim Dorsey, Connie Willis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Christopher Moore. Their wildly topsy turvy tales prepared me for this in all the right ways.
Do you think writers like this start with a basic premise or setting, like time travel or the film industry, and just mad lib their way through the rest of the framework?
chramies's review
4.0
*Nostradamus Ate My Hamster* is the story of a bloke working in a prop house who becomes fascinated by a story based on the original *Brentford Triangle* books, and tries to track down that parallel world that Pooley, Omally and chums seem to have inhabited. Some vestige must remain of the Flying Swan, mustn't it? Unfortunately things get a little out of hand due to Russell's fondness for the blonde barmaid in the first pub he walks into, and the things that he discovers behind that pub.
While the main story is unfolding there are side stories that are intended to illuminate the main story somehow, unless Rankin just put them there for jolly. They have one of Rankin's usual recurring phrases: in this case the 'Help me... help me...' line from the end of *The Fly*. Not only that, he several times pulls the old 'it was all a dream' line, which deflates tension even if the author admits he's done it. It's like those horror films where a horrific event turns out to have been a dream or a hallucination, so the audience begins to think it's all a dream and starts relating to the film in a different way entirely. The director/author has come out from behind the curtain and made it quite clear that this is all a game that he is playing with the readers, and that he can shift reality about like props.
The search for the legendary Flying Swan leads to a Nazi-UFO story that at least is better than Projekt Saucer (not difficult). Why do I get a sudden feeling of déjà vu about this? A bit soon to be the Heinlein of ‘The Number of the Beast’, I’d say. Also he should be careful of the ‘none of these characters are real’ disclaimer if he’s going to put Johnny G in. Johnny G used to play several instruments all at once at the Lyric [Hammersmith] on Saturdays when we still had free music there. There is even a CD somewhere: G Sharp / G Natural.
While the main story is unfolding there are side stories that are intended to illuminate the main story somehow, unless Rankin just put them there for jolly. They have one of Rankin's usual recurring phrases: in this case the 'Help me... help me...' line from the end of *The Fly*. Not only that, he several times pulls the old 'it was all a dream' line, which deflates tension even if the author admits he's done it. It's like those horror films where a horrific event turns out to have been a dream or a hallucination, so the audience begins to think it's all a dream and starts relating to the film in a different way entirely. The director/author has come out from behind the curtain and made it quite clear that this is all a game that he is playing with the readers, and that he can shift reality about like props.
The search for the legendary Flying Swan leads to a Nazi-UFO story that at least is better than Projekt Saucer (not difficult). Why do I get a sudden feeling of déjà vu about this? A bit soon to be the Heinlein of ‘The Number of the Beast’, I’d say. Also he should be careful of the ‘none of these characters are real’ disclaimer if he’s going to put Johnny G in. Johnny G used to play several instruments all at once at the Lyric [Hammersmith] on Saturdays when we still had free music there. There is even a CD somewhere: G Sharp / G Natural.
tsbowman1124's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
kingjason's review
4.0
Robert Rankin has some mad ideas at time but i think this idea has some promise, bringing back hollywood stars of the past and making new movies with them would be pretty awesome. I would love to see this book developed into a serious book, Rankin as expected just makes this idea bonkers, it might even be workable as a tv series.
this was the first Rankin book I read that didn't feature Jim and John, i started it expecting I wouldn't like it, i thought maybe without my favourite characters i might not like his writing style, but luckily Rankin is a mad genius and i really enjoyed this book.
this was the first Rankin book I read that didn't feature Jim and John, i started it expecting I wouldn't like it, i thought maybe without my favourite characters i might not like his writing style, but luckily Rankin is a mad genius and i really enjoyed this book.
sarah42783's review
3.0
I have to say that I read this some time ago and although I remember enjoying it, I have absolutely no recollection of what the book was about...
ltinuviel's review
1.0
в един форум попаднах на препоръки за този автор, към фен на Тери Пратчет, който бил изчел всичко и си търсеше подобни книги. В читанката има тази и още една - и двете се опитвах да ги зачитам, но това са сигурно най-скучните, разводнени и претенциозни книги, които съм опитвала.
Твърде много ненужни описания на какво ли не, твърде много детайли..
Твърде много ненужни описания на какво ли не, твърде много детайли..
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