Necrophenia Paperback – 27 July 2009

Another novel from Robert Rankin, writer of what they call 'far fetched fiction.' If you've never encountered his work before then that basically means rather tall tales with modern settings that can throw in all sorts of wild elements.And if you're new to his work then you're probably better off starting with  The Antipope (Brentford Trilogy)  although this one, despite containing - as is common in his novels - recurring themes and characters and references - might be something you could get into anyhow.This is the tale of Tyler. And how he almost saved mankind. In a long novel running 392 pages and 75 chapters we follow him through a variety of situations from would be rock star to private eye, all the time there being plot strands which hint he has a greater destiny.And things get wilder as they go on. As ever comic footnotes, some very interesting trivia, and the occasional bit of damage to the fourth wall can also be found.This is a long book but it never quite feels stretched out. But it's never quite as laugh out loud funny as it could be. Although there are the occasional moments which do spark that reaction, not least a fair amount of the finale.Not the writer's best work but a solid enough piece of writing from him all in all, just not nearly his funniest. But it's pretty entertaining anyhow so I rate a little above average.

Robert Rankin continues to supply crazy fiction for the Python generation.Only buy if you already like his work as this book references earlier tomes - otherwise you'd be better advised to select an earlier book to break yourself in gently.If you're a fan this will be an immediately welcome and familar ride through Rankin's skewed perceptions and musings on life, the 1960's and music. Laught out loud funny. But not as good as the Da, da, de, de, da Code.

Best Rankin Book ive read yet.far fetched humour at its best.And a lot of twists in the tales.a great book.

Good second-hand copy of this book. I have only just discovered Robert Rankin after a recommendation from a work colleague and am hooked already! I haven't started this one yet as I ordered 3 other titles with this one and I am reading in chronological order.

Yet another work of genius from the man from Planet XYZ (surely no earthling). This is the stuff that gets you wondering - just what was in that last cuppa?More of the same please, Landlord.

simply loved it

I've read all of Mr Rankins books, and for me the last 5 have become progressively worse, with this representing some sort of nadir: It's like that quote about Kerouac, 'That's not writing, it's typing', with Rankin managing to put out a fairly hefty novel despite having almost nothing in the way of plot, characters, ideas or jokes to hold it together. It's just hundreds of pages of the usual stuff about rock music and magic and conspiracy theories and strange men in Edwardian outfits and whatnot cobbled together into a series of nonevents. Maybe these days he justs writes continuously,and every time he gets to 500 pages sends it off to the publishers. That's what it reads like, anyway.

I feel so sad that this book is boring me. I am three quarters of the way through and am not even sure I will bother to finish it. I have previously read everything Rankin has written, often finishing the books in a couple of days because I could not put them down; many have been re-read after a couple of years with just as much enjoyment. This has been hanging around for two weeks and I am having to force feed myself. In all the previous books, no matter how silly the plot or how tounge in cheek the writing, I have felt involved. I just don't care how this finishes. Perhaps its me, but has Rankin gone the way of Tom Sharpe and Kurt Vonnegut who both, in my opinion, wrote one book too many.