Apocalypso

By: Robert Rankin

Narrated by: Robert Rankin

Length: 9 hrs

Publisher's summary

Look out there's a monster coming

The Ministry of Serendipity control everything. They run this world from their secret underground lair beneath Mornington Crescent Underground Station in London. And when they learn of the crashed alien spacecraft lying at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, they send out their crack team of paranormal investigators to recover it. The Fortean superstars that are Sir John Rimmer, Dr Harney, and the psychic youth himself, Mr Danbury Collins.

Secret dossiers suggest that this spacecraft contains a mad alien that was once worshipped as a god because of its terrible telepathic powers. And that it is even now lying in suspended animation, awaiting its time to rise again and rule the world once more. Danbury's special senses tell him that the best thing to do would be to nuke the creature now before it wreaks havoc on Mankind. But does anyone listen? No!

Porrig has been left something in his uncle's will. It might be a bookshop, it might be a planet, or it might be a doorway into another dimension. And Porrig is worried, because he has learned a great and terrible secret. But will anyone listen to him when he tries to tell them? No!

It's a pity that people rarely listen, because, in this case, had they troubled to do so, the world would have been spared from all the madness and mayhem, the thousands fleeing in terror, the mad monster laying waste to half of London and the dirty great explosion at the end. But then, there wouldn't have been much of a story if they had listened.

©1998 Robert Rankin (P)2014 Audible, Ltd

For fans of Pratchett, Holt, and Adams

If your American and you haven’t ever read one of Rankin’s books I would recommend going physical. He writes very British books for a very British audience. Lots of references and slang that you’ll probably be unfamiliar with. Otherwise it a great example of what he does best.

loved it but,

i really enjoyed this book and loved the story. I'm confused why there needed to be a jab at transwomen. the only this missing was her, being referred to as he, having aids and a drug addiction. maybe the next book will further expand the degradation.

Hang in there

when I started this book I really disliked the character but the character grows and the story is fun! worth it

cheeky and weird

Robert Rankin writes in verse that quickly reminds the reader of Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams. It's cheeky, stupid, fun, and above all else entertaining.

always remarkable

Our hero is not outstanding, not a moral paragon, not the person you would meet on the street and nominate for greatness. He is a self-interested slob, a clueless failure with women. But he does have the gumption, or something, to excel inside him - with the proper kick in the pants and the help of an immortal, a fairy( goblin?) and a magician.

Robert Rankin is an author of prodigious talent in producing the absurd. Mixing together aliens, magic, alternate worlds, Houdini, etc - but you will never guess the outcome.

Not to be missed is the confrontation between the railroad train and the army tank. No movie has done a better job of this cinema tour-de-force.

You have to like him to like him.

Robert Rankin is an acquired taste. His writing can be extremely silly at times, but it's fun.

Absurdity at it's best

This book goes into the comically absurd. In the best way possible. I can not emphasize how fun and enjoyable this book was.

Not to my taste

Book tries too hard to be funny, but it mostly comes off as kind of off-putting and rude. And to top it off there’s literally a couple female side-characters, all the rest are male. The author is aware of the existence of women, but doesn’t see them as people, it seems. Just.. moms. The narration though is excellent and what got me through the story to the end.

Another Banger!

I cannot explain in words the literary genius that goes into such absurd nonsensical poetry. all I can say is you should listen with an open mind and probably an open bottle.

I liked it

It’s funny and not predictable since the chapters jump around covering different characters. The writer performs a good reading.