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bonnierose36's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
woolfardis's review against another edition
4.0
[Quick review from memory before I re-read and re-review at a later date]
(Again, little memory of it. Years ago I read this... Was this the first? I never start at the beginning so it seems unlikely. Perhaps one or two things gleaned from the title...)
(Again, little memory of it. Years ago I read this... Was this the first? I never start at the beginning so it seems unlikely. Perhaps one or two things gleaned from the title...)
nini_f's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book its been a while since i read any Robert Rankin but as always the ridiculous and comic nature of these stories made me laugh out loud. A very enjoyable way to spend a plane journey.
lucigabi's review against another edition
2.0
I had a hard time getting into this story. The beginning was confusing with too many tangents and characters that were hard to tell apart. Even at the end I never connected with any of them. And I'm not one this usually bothers very much, but here, everything just fell flat because of it.
ashcomb's review against another edition
3.0
I kept pumping into this book repeatedly. After chatting with someone on Reddit, telling me to give another chance for Robert Rankin that the Brentford series is good, I picked up the book and sat down to read.
The concept of the story is great. I like the idea of the bad pope coming back with sinister plans. But the story itself was messy. I had for over a hundred pages hard to differentiate the characters from each other or even understand how everything fit together. For the first half, I thought Neville, the part-time barman would somehow be the central character as he opened the story and had a more solid narrative, but I was wrong. Farther towards the ending the book got clearer the idea came, and it was easier to follow, but my heart wasn't in it. The characters were interesting, but they never lived up to their full potential and were not given a solid narrative.
I'm not sure if I smiled or smirked once while I read this book, but I think I'm not a target demographic for the wisecracking done. I'm someone who has never hung out in pubs or bars or anywhere near alcohol. And I think that is the problem. This is the side of life I am unfamiliar and couldn't jump straight into.
All that said. There was something interesting about the way Rankin told the story. It was gritty, dark, original, and downright rude, and I'm glad I read it, but I'm not sure if I will read the second for the series.
Thank you for reading!
The concept of the story is great. I like the idea of the bad pope coming back with sinister plans. But the story itself was messy. I had for over a hundred pages hard to differentiate the characters from each other or even understand how everything fit together. For the first half, I thought Neville, the part-time barman would somehow be the central character as he opened the story and had a more solid narrative, but I was wrong. Farther towards the ending the book got clearer the idea came, and it was easier to follow, but my heart wasn't in it. The characters were interesting, but they never lived up to their full potential and were not given a solid narrative.
I'm not sure if I smiled or smirked once while I read this book, but I think I'm not a target demographic for the wisecracking done. I'm someone who has never hung out in pubs or bars or anywhere near alcohol. And I think that is the problem. This is the side of life I am unfamiliar and couldn't jump straight into.
All that said. There was something interesting about the way Rankin told the story. It was gritty, dark, original, and downright rude, and I'm glad I read it, but I'm not sure if I will read the second for the series.
Thank you for reading!
mikeiswhere's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
There are some books that are timeless. They are as applicable and enjoyable now as when they were first written,and will still be in another 50 years.
Then there are other books that are forever trapped I'm the time in which they are written, and with every passing day become out dated, unrelatable, and frankly awkward to read.
Friends, this book is the second kind.
I was very disappointed, as I have enjoyed this author previously. Putting aside the very dated tropes, this narrative is rambling and slow. It feels that the events of the story were more of an excuse for the author to write amusing unrelated scenes rather than tell a story.
There are definitely some amusing moments in this story and some interesting concepts, but ultimately I cannot recommend it.
Then there are other books that are forever trapped I'm the time in which they are written, and with every passing day become out dated, unrelatable, and frankly awkward to read.
Friends, this book is the second kind.
I was very disappointed, as I have enjoyed this author previously. Putting aside the very dated tropes, this narrative is rambling and slow. It feels that the events of the story were more of an excuse for the author to write amusing unrelated scenes rather than tell a story.
There are definitely some amusing moments in this story and some interesting concepts, but ultimately I cannot recommend it.
beeziereadsromance's review against another edition
4.0
My introduction to Robert. Hilariously witty prose, love him.
intoxicatedcake's review against another edition
3.0
The plot and humour are enjoyable, though eccentric.