Expecting Someone Taller [Turtleback]

Tom Holt (Author)

Product Details

• Turtleback
• Publisher: Demco Media (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606161007
• ISBN-13: 978-0606161008
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,842,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinarily funny and well-written comic novel., July 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Expecting Someone Taller (Mass Market Paperback)

Holt's comic novels can best be described as of uneven quality. When's he's on, there's no one better. When he's off, the comic twists and turns come off as strained and forced. I have only the highest recommendations, however, for Holt's best: "Expecting Someone Taller" and "Who's Afraid of Beowulf."

"Expecting Someone Taller" is an inspired send-up of Wagner's "Ring Cycle." Woden, Loge, Alberich, a clutch of beautiful Valkyries, and the gorgeous Rhine Maidens all vie to steal the magic ring that makes its owner the most powerful being in the universe. Its current owner is Malcolm, a mild-mannered sort who has been dismissed as, well, disappointing, even by his own family. Malcolm dodges all the divine strategems designed to relieve him of the ring, but must deal with his own feelings for a goddess. The ending is best described as Gotterdammerung. Enjoy!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Funny Update to Wagner's Ring Cycle, June 25, 2000

By 

Dan Sherman (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Expecting Someone Taller (Mass Market Paperback)

Ever wonder happened to the ring of the Nibelung after Gotterdammerung? Check this book out for a very funny update of the Ring to see how the hapless Malcolm inherits the all-powerful ring and becomes reluctant ruler of the world in modern-day England. He must confront contemporary incarnations of Alberich, Wotan, and some very seductive Rhinemaidens. The book is a good short (228 pages)fantasy novel that is lots of fun even if you don't know the Ring (and even funnier if you know the Ring well). It is great fun!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable takeoff on Wagner's Ring, April 10, 2003

By 

Gary M. Greenbaum (Fairfax, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Expecting Someone Taller (Paperback)

You don't have to be familiar with Wagner's Ring cycle to enjoy this book, but it doesn't hurt--you'll get a few more of the jokes.

Malcolm Fisher, a nerdish Englishman, runs over a badger who just happens to be a disguised Giant who possesses the Ring of the Nibelung, as well as the magical Tarnhelm, allowing him to change his shape. Before Malcolm has time to do more than make a few experiments with his new possessions, he finds himself pursued by gods, dwarves, and amorous Rhinemaidens and Valkyries, and finds himself locked in a power stuggle with chief god Wotan. Can Malcolm overcome his retiring nature and the gods?

The allusions and takeoffs on the Ring operas are the funniest part of this book. But don't worry if you haven't seen them--a plot summary is included.

Highly recommended. Enjoy.