by Robert Rankin

a review

Ever wondered what was the point of dying? Young Gary Cheese does. This is the beginning of Robert Rankin's 23rd novel and it is the autobiography of said Master Cheese, who's hobbies include music, girls and trying to raise the dead.

After the slight disapointment of Web Site Story this cracker of a book sees Rankin burst back to greatness, Fandom is brilliant, slightly different from the norm and hilarious from start to finish. Some of Rankin's books have a tendancy to start slowly and then build up into a huge climax but Fandom starts off at full speed and holds it until the last paragraph.

The tall tale begins with a ten year old Gary and his bestest friend Dave trying to raise recently deceased author P P Penrose, author of the classic Lazlo Woodbine (some call him Laz) novels and the less than classic Adam Earth science fiction novels. Whilst in the process of researching this project he overhears about a certain secret work called FLATLINE (all capitals).

As the story moves on into his later life Gary discovers that FLATLINE is a way that the living can communicate directly with the dead, which opens up a world of opportunities to Mister Cheese, now a full time "bulbman".

Fandom of the Operator is a welcome return to form for Rankin, the plot is unbelievably mad but at the same time does make some sort of sense and you never feel cheated, the main protagnist is a throughly unlikable character and yet you find yourself routing for him and if you don't laugh out loud when reading this, check your pulse because you may already be dead.

A must