Customer Reviews

The Brightonomicon (Brentford Trilogy)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is hilarious. A very good first book to read if you're considering joining the cult of Rankin.
Also, for some reason, it gave me fantastic dreams and I felt that Rankin's prose was singing through me for days and days. It was quite a good thing to have happen, if odd. I then went and bought dozens of Rankin books so perhaps I was hypnotized...

Excellent book. You never know what is going to happen next. Sometimes I would have to stop reading as the zaniness got a little too much but otherwise good. The only thing you might find useful for more enjoyment is an in and out knowledge of British culture and history as a lot of side notes and jokes relate to this, but unless you have that already its not necessary.

"Retromancer" was the first Rankin book I'd read, just a few months ago, and while I had an initial "meh" reaction, I kept being drawn back to it for rereads. So I decided to buy "The Brightonomicon" because it was also about Rune and Rizla. (In the meantime I had read "The Antipope" and found it to be like a beach read, nothing seriously good or bad about it.)

And upon reading this I find myself really grinding my teeth at a couple of repetitive things.

1. Every time they get in a taxi, the driver waxes poetic about his preferred sports club.
2. I got sick of reading about Rune applying his stout stick to everyone that made him angry. It seems it was done excessively.

I simply didn't find it as inventive as "Retromancer," and a lot of the cases they solved were really weak. It seems like for much of this book, Rankin was unncessarily padding it with either repetitive dialogue or total nothingness. Even for Rankin (which I admittedly have a scant knowledge of), it was rambling and unnecessary. Even the talking of toot was weak and cheap. I do not think I will be continuing with Rankin's books; instead, my beloved Discworld books will get more rereads.

It is always a treat to read a Rankin novel because you never know what to expect. I loved this one because it was full of Rune i love that guy. If your not a fan of running gags or the talking of toot best to avoid this and all other Rankin but if you are looking for fun times and a few tips on the finer talking of toot then read this book.

I have read most of Rankin's stuff and have usually really enjoyed it. He missed the mark on this one. It isn't particularly funny. It is disjointed. It repeats itself constantly, and just isn't very interesting. It might be a bit more interesting if you are familiar with town he sets this in, but just a bit. They can't all be winners. Try something else by him instead. His Brentford stuff, and Bunny stuff are far better choices.