Customer Reviews

Dadgum Martians Invade the Lucky Nickel Saloon

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

 

 

I've read Ken Rand's stories set in the Lucky Nickel Saloon, Laramie, WY, territory of the US of A and enjoyed them. This is not a compilation, this is the magnum opus of the tales. At least until he decides to top himself.

I must admit that I had a slight problem with the style. I tend to be a cut-to-the-chase sort of reader, while this novel beautifully replicates the style of the Old West tall tale, complete with vernacular and vocabulary of dubious parentage.

Despite my impatience, the story unfolded and kept me trying to guess ahead (and guessing consistently wrong -- Rand doesn't take the well-trampled path.) I had some trouble with the humor. Old West humor, especially in tall tales, tends to run in the general direction of slapstick, while I prefer my humor drier, with a twist of lemon, stirred not shaken. This includes a sheriff who talks like the imposing clergyman in THE PRINCESS BRIDE, especially in the speech about "Mawwiage is a dweam within a dweam." But most of the humor clicked for me, too. If it hadn't, I wouldn't have given it four stars.

So I urge you to belly up to the bar and read this yarn about invading Martians who look like chickens with lips and talk like surfer dudes.