I saw a video of him on YouTube which reminded me of him. I don't read very much but he's my favourite author. Anyone else like? I know Mr Stott is a big fan.
Great author, very funny, bit of an artist...and he can sing too, the bastard!
Robert Rankin
Yep, I love him, got all his stuff! Been reading Rankin since I was ten, much better with the funny fantasy/sci-fi novels than crappy old Pratchett. I think he's more than likely quite an aquired taste, and a lot of his humour relies on the fact that you've already bought into his world and read a lot of his stuff to get all the running gags, but if you are then there's no one better.
If you like Douglas Adams, but are annoyed at the fact that he didn't write enough and then went and died, then Rankin is the man you should move on to.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ January 10 2009, 12:06 PM GMTYep, I love him, got all his stuff! Been reading Rankin since I was ten, much better with the funny fantasy/sci-fi novels than crappy old Pratchett. I think he's more than likely quite an aquired taste, and a lot of his humour relies on the fact that you've already bought into his world and read a lot of his stuff to get all the running gags, but if you are then there's no one better.
If you like Douglas Adams, but are annoyed at the fact that he didn't write enough and then went and died, then Rankin is the man you should move on to.
Pratchett is a genius, Rankin's ok but leaves me a bit cold.
Which Pratchetts did you read?
Edited by Aaron.
Quote: sootyj @ January 10 2009, 12:13 PM GMTWhich Pratchetts did you read?
Edited by Aaron.
It was a while ago, but at least three of his. And some of his kids ones. Just boring, and not funny. Rankin is wild, and funny and fun!
Masquerade, that was one.
Quote: Griff @ January 10 2009, 12:10 PM GMTOi! Pratchett's not crappy.
I've just never understood, from what I've read, what's supposed to be so good about him. I've always just been bored.
I've read the ... Diggers (?) trilogy. I've no idea if those are some of his "kids'" ones, but I found them highly entertaining.
If it was some years ago you probably read the earliere Disk world stuff more of an aquired taste. And Masquaerade is part 2 or 3 of a series.
But Pratchett is just very funny and humane.
Disliking him, seems to indicate that person you have a fragment of your soul missing.
No complete or truly human could dislike Pratchett.
Anyway, go and start a Pratchett thread, this one is for RANKIN!!
But yes, Diggers is a childrens series, had to read them at school.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ January 10 2009, 12:34 PM GMTBut yes, Diggers is a childrens series, had to read them at school.
Ahhh. Well anything you read at school, you have to hate. It's the law.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ January 10 2009, 12:34 PM GMTAnyway, go and start a Pratchett thread, this one is for RANKIN!!
But yes, Diggers is a childrens series, had to read them at school.
Yes but you compared him to Pratchett in. Rankin is a bit of a smart arse and a Tesco Value Pratchett.
Now Tom Holt he's pretty darned good.
I dig like his Portable Door stuff.
Quote: Aaron @ January 10 2009, 12:38 PM GMTAhhh. Well anything you read at school, you have to hate. It's the law.
You're not wrong, I had to read Thomas Hardy's 'The Woodlanders' for English Lit, tried to read it but couldn't. It was too long and dull, needless to say I failed.
I think my favourite book from school was one called 'The Otterbury Incident' by Cecil Day-Lewis.
I enjoyed the original Brentford Trilogy immensely, but I have read three or four others others and found my patience slowly exhausted. I found the writing and plotting in his later books a bit sloppy.
I used to apologise for reading Pratchett by saying they were fun and easy to read, but over the years I have come to the conclusion he is a genius. He has found a way of writing about anything he wants to write about and taking his audience with him. And apart from being a master storyteller, he is also an insightful, and, as Sooty says, humane author.
I am not entirely sold on Tom Holt's fantasies, but I use them for humour therapy when there is no new Pratchett to turn to, and I agree The Portable Door is very good. On the whole though I prefer his historical novels, particularly The Walled Orchard, which is terrific.
The Princess Bride is indeed wonderful (and, for me, a rare instance of reading the book and not hating the film).
I suspect the teaching of English Literature in schools does more harm than good, but I despised my 'A' Level teachers, which may have clouded my view.
Quote: Griff @ January 10 2009, 12:47 PM GMTAppreciate your robust defence of Pratchett, but I wouldn't say Rankin's a Tesco Value Pratchett. His stuff isn't really similar at all, except that it's comic fantasy and it's also damn funny.
Yup, and Rankin's stuff is much wilder and funnier; I'd rather funny and wild over humane any day!
Humane funny and briliant, he's one of the best writers around these days.
Not much makes me laugh out loud, but Pratchett does.
The sad thing is I was once as wrong as you.
I read The Light Fantastic, then Weird Sisters which I didn't like.
Took a 10 year break came back to Guards Guards Guards and realised how wrong I'd been.
Look forward to you seeing the error of your ways, for it is your loss and yours alone.
Quote: sootyj @ January 10 2009, 9:12 PM GMTThe sad thing is I was once as wrong as you.
Look forward to you seeing the error of your ways,
I may be drunk, but what the hell are you talking about? I just like him more than more than Pratchett. I like Rankin's wildness; Pratchett isn't wild. You can't make me like him!!
Ah you obviously haven't read The Truth or Small Gods which are both pretty wild.
I believe in the perfection of Pratchett's works in the way other people believe in the existence of God.
There simply isn't room for me to believe you're right about him.
Only lost and in the dark.
That said maybe I should have another go at Rankin.