... Certainly the picture Robert Rankin paints of it in his novel, “The Antipope”, depicts an extremely interesting place to visit - full of places of interest and colourful (to put it mildly) local characters.
I’m guessing the book is set in the very early seventies, the ... Read review
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The Antipope
This story uncovers suburbia's darkest secrets - mostly in The Flying Swan a cosmic ... more
Rovers Return where Neville the barman and Archroy owner of five magic beans do battle with beasts of the occult and in particular the rather unpleasant Pope Alexand...
A review by Thamisgith on The Antipope - Robert Rankin February 18th, 2003
Author's product rating:
Would you read it again?
Absolutely
Story
Good
Characters
Outstanding
Readability
Good
How does it compare to other works by the same author?
Excellent
Advantages:
A decent, entertaining piece of fiction
Disadvantages:
None really, but a little strange - ooooooooh
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I’ve never been to Brentford but I’m sure it’s very nice. Certainly the picture Robert Rankin paints of it in his novel, “The Antipope”, depicts an extremely interesting place to visit - full of places of interest and colourful (to put it mildly) local characters.
I’m guessing the book is set in the very early seventies, the only clue we get is that two pints of “Large”, the preferred local draught, costs 10/6 (10 shillings and sixpence – ask your Grandpa). Not that it matters much of course, given that one of the central characters has been dead for a few hundred years the exact timing of the novel's “present day” seems a trifle irrelevant.
Much of the action takes place in The Flying Swan, a local pub run by Neville, the part-time barman. Although never actually stated, we are left with the impression that Neville has been, and will be, a fixture in the bar for many years. Two of his work shy regulars, John O’Mally, a drunken Irish womaniser, and Jim Pooley, a drunken Brentonian follower of form, will be our unlikely heroes for the duration of the novel.
Alas, all is not well in Brentford. Heralded by the appearance of a smelly, red-eyed mystery tramp who unsettles everyone he meets, a sequence of events is about to unfold which could change the course of history and put Brentford on the map for all the wrong reasons. Shortly after the tramp’s first sighting Archroy, another stalwart local Brentonian, returns home from his nightshift at the rubber factory to find that his wife has swapped his Morris Minor for five magic beans.
Magic beans, good grief! That’s not just silly, it’s surreal! Yes it is, and so it goes on for the rest of the novel. The mundane environment of Brentford is continually contrasted, counter-balanced and brought into focus by startling revelations of satanic power struggles, magical forces, both good and bad, and highly trained exponents of arcane martial arts sauntering through the streets of Brentford. Like I said, it sounds like an interesting place to visit.
As to the plot, well it’s surreal isn’t it? Mystery tramp, magic beans, failed attempt to wade across the English Channel, massive complex of subterranean tunnels beneath Brentford, mysterious draining of canal, seaman’s mission converted to satanic chapel, forces of good and evil, cowboy night in the Flying Swan, exploding barbecue, last of the Borgias, big fight at the end, mine’s a pint of Large please.
And throughout all this our, by now, good friends Pooley and O’Mally must wage war against this terrible evil, all the while trying to figure out where they’re going to scrounge the price of their next round and what looks good in the three fifteen at Doncaster.
And that’s why it works – because you like O’Mally and Pooley. Drunken, shambling, work shy rogues – Everyman type figures who might save the world or could just as easily be distracted by the prospect of a drinking session allowing us all to be blown to kingdom come. They are supported by a range of other interesting characters but it is definitely Pooley and O’Mally who steal the show.
I enjoyed this book and, if you haven’t read Rankin before, this would be a good place to start.
I leave you with the words of Jim Pooley:
“Outside the sun shines. Buses rumble towards Ealing Broadway and I’m expected to do battle with the powers of darkness. It all seems a little unfair…”
ISBN 0-552-13841-X £5.99 on the cover £4.79 from Amazon
More Reviews
Bizarre! Review ofThe Antipope - Robert Rankinby
ppyrdlm
Advantages: Insane and Hilarious Disadvantages: Sometimes a little to strange to handle
A great introduction into the surreal world of Robert Rankin. A mysterious figure from the mists of time taking up lodging at the local seamen's mission, a handful of magic beans, and horrible demons. Of course we are all left waiting for a galant hero to save the day. Mr. Rankin of course does not provide, instead it is left for a couple of down and outs from the local pub to save the world!
Robert Rankin has a flair for creating a world so mad ...
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My Aunties Pipe Review ofThe Antipope - Robert Rankinby
ArmatigeShanks
Advantages: A great story, very funny. Disadvantages: Feels a little dated, sometimes loses itself
This was the first Rankin book I ever read. Although brought to the author by a friend telling me about talking sprouts, I decided to start his books in chronological order. This as it turned out was the best way to start. Included is a fantastic story, which is very funny, well paced, a great to read in short bursts either on the tube or as a way to escape a rainy Sunday. Written in the early eighties, it shares some similarities with the Hitch ...
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Advantages: Makes you crease up with laughter Disadvantages: If you have no sense of humor, this is not for you
The first thing I thought when I saw the cover of this book in the Bookstore, was, what an odd title. I picked it up and then started browsing through.
Rankin brings alot of his Brentford life into his books, but he does it in a most amusing way. His characters are so funny and yet real. Jim Pooley and John O'Mally, I can only but smile at the mention of their names.
The ideas behind the story are not just entertaining, they're intriguing in a ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Very funny, and incredibly quirky characters Disadvantages: Possibly too strange for many people
...beloved Brentford, this story concerns the rise to power of, well, the Antipope (bet you didn't see that coming?). The two main characters and lovable layabouts, Pooley and Omally (these two make appearences in many of Rankin's books), are more concerned with getting drunk than doing anything like saving the world from the Antipope. The rest of the cast of characters are all equally strange, from Neville the full time part-time barman, to Norman, ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
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