It’s
AD 2050, a half-century after the unfortunate NHE (“Nuclear Holocaust Event”), and
Earth is frankly in terrible shape. No,
I’m not talking about the acid rain, devastated lands, and lack of food;
although all of that is certainly true.
But Earth is actually a reality show, watched by the inhabitants of the
planet Phnaargos, and its ratings are the pits.
There’s nothing exciting about a nuclear wasteland.
There’s
only one thing to do – send someone back in time to 1958 and talk Elvis out of
joining the army. That’ll change the
course of history, and the audience-losing NHE can be replaced with an
Armageddon event. Viewers love Armageddons.
Sounds
like a plan. What could possibly go
wrong?
What’s To Like...
If
you’ve read any Robert Rankin at all, you know that the norm is for everything to
go wrong, with nonstop, hilarious mayhem in hot pursuit. And rest assured, that’s exactly what happens
here.
The main character is Rex Mundi, and he’s a likeable schmo. The supporting cast includes Elvis, Barry the
time-traveling sprout, Rex’s sexy sister, Gloria, and two members of the
cannibalistic Devianti, Rambo Bloodaxe and Deathblade Eric.
Underneath
all the spoofiness, Robert Rankin has some insightful points to make about
organized religion and corporate politics.
But the excellent penning of parody prevents it from coming off as being
“preachy”. So grab yourself a
Buddhabeer, turn on the Buddhavision, and light up a Kharma Kool. The reality show called “The Earthers” is about
to air.
Kewlest New Word...
Videlicet (adverb; Latin) : “To wit”;
“That is to say”; “Namely”.
Excerpts...
Rex Mundi crept along a plushly carpeted
corridor, seeking his destiny. Rex,
whose character must now be well known to the reader. His failings, few as they are, forgivable considering
the circumstances. His valour tried and
tested. His integrity absolute. His complexion, although scabious, leaving
his good looks romantically untarnished.
His underpants unchanged from page one.
Rex continued to creep along. (pg.
229 )
“Oh yes, sir.” Jason’s face bobbed up and down. “Armageddon, that’s what it’s all about now,
eh?”
Mungo made a thoughtful face. “Yes, well it is and it isn’t.”
“It is and it isn’t.” Morgawr tried to look enlightened. “It is Armageddon, but it’s not
Armageddon. Yes I see. I know it’s not the Armageddon. Which is to
say, that although it is our Armageddon, which will appear to be their
Armageddon, it is not really the
Armageddon. Which is what you are
saying, is it not?”
“What I’m saying is that whoever’s
Armageddon it turns out to be, it must have a happy ending.” (pg. 276)
“Om mani padme
BOOOOOOOOOM!” (pg.
120)
Armageddon The Musical can get confusing at times,
what with all the time-, planetary-, and scene-jumping. But that’s Rankin’s style, and I for one
thoroughly enjoy it. Things run amok for
most of the book, but it all wraps up at the end.
ATM is for readers who like Douglas Adams, Tom
Holt, and Terry Pratchett. It is part of
a trilogy, but it works just fine as a standalone. The sequel, They
Came And Ate Us, is on my TBR shelf.
8½ Stars. Highly recommended, but I say that about every
Robert Rankin book I read.
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