Readers of the Lost Car Park (Robert Rankin in general)

Member Name: timtm

Product:	Robert Rankin in general
Date:	09/05/01 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good humour, Well written, Frequent references to sprouts

Disadvantages: A little bizzare

Many people will know (if that's the right word) of Robert Rankin as "the one whose books are next to Terry Pratchett's". This is a little unfair, not only because there's at least one sci-fi/fantasy author whose name begins with R-A-B, but because Rankin's work is at least comparable to Pratchett's.

The problem is, however, that when it's compared it's found to be not as good.

This sound extremelly critical, but it's certainly not intended to be. Pratchett's books are, on the whole, extremelly cleverly written and tightly formed, with amazing storylines and excellent characters. Rankin's style is far more bizarre, with a different aim and gist. There is frequently a lot of humour evident, but it occasionally misses the mark and becomes just a little too odd.

This is not to say Rankin's books aren't enjoyable, however. They are very re-readable, full of in-jokes referring not only to previous books in the series, but often to later books too. The world in which they're set - often in Brentford - makes them start, at least, as fairly believable, which is thrown out after about page 17 ...

Very enjoyable reads, and a very underrated author.

Summary: