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Nostradamus Ate My Hamster
Robert wants to be a star in the movies. He has invented a system with his computer that could put the old stars back on the screen, alongside him. He has the script and the money, but Hollywood isn't keen. Could the perfect partnership lie with Ernest Fudgepacker of Fudgepacker's Emporium?
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
21 people are currently reading
839 people want to read
About the author
Robert Rankin
73 books861 followers"When Robert Rankin embarked upon his writing career in the late 1970s, his ambition was to create an entirely new literary genre, which he named Far-Fetched Fiction. He reasoned that by doing this he could avoid competing with any other living author in any known genre and would be given his own special section in WH Smith."
(from Web Site Story)
Robert Rankin describes himself as a teller of tall tales, a fitting description, assuming that he isn't lying about it. From his early beginnings as a baby in 1949, Robert Rankin has grown into a tall man of some stature. Somewhere along the way he experimented in the writing of books, and found that he could do it rather well. Not being one to light his hide under a bushel, Mister Rankin continues to write fine novels of a humorous science-fictional nature.
(from Web Site Story)
Robert Rankin describes himself as a teller of tall tales, a fitting description, assuming that he isn't lying about it. From his early beginnings as a baby in 1949, Robert Rankin has grown into a tall man of some stature. Somewhere along the way he experimented in the writing of books, and found that he could do it rather well. Not being one to light his hide under a bushel, Mister Rankin continues to write fine novels of a humorous science-fictional nature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
February 9, 2018
Going to the next level
My teenage and early adult years probably prepared me for this novel of British nonsense (which I mean in a good way). All those screenings were not wasted on me. I was working on my nonsense muscles with Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Not the Nine O’Clock News, The Young Ones etc. This novel goes way further up the road. It asks you to do a lot of mental gymnastics. Aliens, time travel, what is real. Many readers, especially ones not familiar with London and its lingo, might find this book very puzzling. My advice to them is stick with it because it is all cleverly wrapped up,
My teenage and early adult years probably prepared me for this novel of British nonsense (which I mean in a good way). All those screenings were not wasted on me. I was working on my nonsense muscles with Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Not the Nine O’Clock News, The Young Ones etc. This novel goes way further up the road. It asks you to do a lot of mental gymnastics. Aliens, time travel, what is real. Many readers, especially ones not familiar with London and its lingo, might find this book very puzzling. My advice to them is stick with it because it is all cleverly wrapped up,
December 31, 2013
Rankin is one of my favourite comic authors, but his work is uneven: Monty Python at best, Benny Hill at worst. This one never descends lower than Carry On, and has some really clever, yet farcical goings-on with time-travelling Nazis and whatnot. There are also some truly chilling asides which eventually tie in to the main plot. Rankin at his best, and that means lots of running gags, daft characters, wild plot twists and sly Aleister Crowley references.
February 10, 2015
As entertaining as the title is, I can’t say I can really see its relevance to the story. Yes, it’s the title of the movie that’s made in the book, but it doesn’t even relate to what we know of the film’s plot. Oh, well. The hero of this tale is Russell Nice, a decent, hardworking employee of Fudgepacker’s Emporium, which rents out props for movies but hasn’t been doing so well as of late. That is, until one of the other employees takes a joyride in a Nazi flying saucer and steals a bit of future technology that produces very realistic holograms of dead celebrities. As you might expect if you’ve read anything by Rankin, that isn’t the extent of the wackiness. Hitler has also returned, and he’s not even the greatest evil Russell has to contend with. In addition, the plot is meta-referential, in that the stars of Rankin’s Brentford Trilogy, Jim Pooley and John Omally, have achieved legendary status for the main characters in this book. I actually haven’t read any of the Brentford Trilogy books (despite the title, there are many more than three), but I do plan to, and Pooley and Omally have appeared in a few of Rankin’s other books as well. Despite these references, I actually think this book would be a good introduction to Rankin’s style for the uninitiated. By the way, I looked up Viktor Schauberger (a character in the book, but I’m not going to say exactly who for fear of spoiling a plot twist) on a whim, and this was actually the name of an Austrian inventor who worked for the Third Reich, although it’s not known whether he personally supported the Nazis, and the Schauberger in the novel is a personal friend of Hitler’s. I have to suspect Rankin’s use of the name is due to his interest in conspiracy theories, as there’s apparently a weird rumor that the real Viktor Schauberger invented a perpetual motion machine.
December 12, 2018
Any book with such a surreal title has got to have a head start in entertaining the reader. All the more so when Robert Rankin is writing it. A central theme of this book was time travel and there were many occasions when I wondered if Steven Moffat had simply used this novel as his hypotext for practically every Doctor Who script he ever wrote, given how mind warping timey wimey both his scripts and this story are. There are numerous jumpings between possible futures, presents, and pasts as poor old Russell and his... associates (they can hardly be called friends) chase Nazis, get chased by Nazis, tackle what is presumably a demon, get laid, get shot, and scheme with all the cunning of Reynard the Fox's evil older brother.
Somewhere along the line a film gets produced, or maybe it doesn't. Pubs appear and disappear. Stories get told and misunderstood and then properly interpreted. It's very confusing and hugely entertaining. Especially where it is revealed that Hitler talks like Alf Garnet. I recommend this not only to fans of Rankin, but lovers of surrealist plots, conspiracy nuts, walnuts, storytellers (who want to know how to do it properly), ardent lovers (who want to know how to do it improperly on a flugelrad), and paranormal investigators.
No hamsters were eaten in the telling of this multidimensional saga.
Somewhere along the line a film gets produced, or maybe it doesn't. Pubs appear and disappear. Stories get told and misunderstood and then properly interpreted. It's very confusing and hugely entertaining. Especially where it is revealed that Hitler talks like Alf Garnet. I recommend this not only to fans of Rankin, but lovers of surrealist plots, conspiracy nuts, walnuts, storytellers (who want to know how to do it properly), ardent lovers (who want to know how to do it improperly on a flugelrad), and paranormal investigators.
No hamsters were eaten in the telling of this multidimensional saga.
December 13, 2021
I think only Robert Rankin is the only one who could bring this story alive in the way it should be told. A crazy, wild, not quite there story full of fun and frivolity. Oh, and don’t forget Adolf Hitler!
January 4, 2012
I have to say that I read this some time ago and although I remember enjoying it, I have absolutely no recollection of what the book was about...
August 22, 2020
Gloriously bonkers time travelling nonsense from the master.
Loved every moment.
Loved every moment.
July 16, 2021
I read this over a year ago. All I remember now is that I absolutely loved it and recommended it to my kids!
November 14, 2022
MetaFiction, time travel, and other such nonsense, but in a good way.
August 24, 2012
Even being an avid fan of Robert Rankin, I think this is probably my favourite that I have read so far.
Rankin is the self-proclaimed grandfather of far fetched fiction, and has been likened to Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett - but in my opinion, I would say Rankin writes far more far fetched, although if you enjoy the two authors mentioned you will probably enjoy Robert Rankin's work too.
The Plot is simple but surreal - Centred around Fudgepacker's Emporium, which is a movie prop warehouse and one of it's workers - it's only worker besides the boss Mr Fudgepacker himself and Morgan - Russell.
During lunchtime Morgan tells Russell of the disappears of The Flying Swan; a pub famous for it's customers John O'Mally and Jim Pooley in Rankin's other books. O'Mally and Pooley have disappeared along with the pub and all of it's occupants at the time. All of which appear to have me atomised on Christmas Eve thanks to the Ark of Covenent.
Russell now involved and seeking the truth about all this disappearing business, stumbles across a movie plot - Nostradamus Ate My Hamster. Which results in time travel and effects the world massively - particularly the events of the Second World War.
This book is very complex in that there are a lot of short stories woven into one another, which only start to come together about half way through the book.
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster has some very controversial and possibly offensive parts to it, there is a lot of hidden meaning and opinion in it about politics, religion and such - but unless you're really interested in that stuff, it shouldn't really bother you - just take it as a (very far fetched) story.
Many dead celebrities show up in this book, as well as Hitler himself (the above statement about being offensive doesn't apply to Hitler himself much so don't let that put you off). This makes for some very comical scenes and personalities.
As always Rankin's characters are well developed and strong. He lets their personalities come through in whatever the situation is and keeps good continuity.
A strange but awesome mix of history, conspiracy theories and life which perhaps some dabs into the back to the future theme. Just another day in Brentford really.
I highly recommend this book to anyone. It's a bit complex so it will keep you on your toes. If you're new to Rankin and want to be eased into his style - perhaps choose another of his books that are less complex.
Nevertheless this book is a real page turner, you won't want to put it down and be eager to pick it up again when you do. A great escape from reality, into a world that could have been... well perhaps not, but it's certainly a scary thought!
Rankin is the self-proclaimed grandfather of far fetched fiction, and has been likened to Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett - but in my opinion, I would say Rankin writes far more far fetched, although if you enjoy the two authors mentioned you will probably enjoy Robert Rankin's work too.
The Plot is simple but surreal - Centred around Fudgepacker's Emporium, which is a movie prop warehouse and one of it's workers - it's only worker besides the boss Mr Fudgepacker himself and Morgan - Russell.
During lunchtime Morgan tells Russell of the disappears of The Flying Swan; a pub famous for it's customers John O'Mally and Jim Pooley in Rankin's other books. O'Mally and Pooley have disappeared along with the pub and all of it's occupants at the time. All of which appear to have me atomised on Christmas Eve thanks to the Ark of Covenent.
Russell now involved and seeking the truth about all this disappearing business, stumbles across a movie plot - Nostradamus Ate My Hamster. Which results in time travel and effects the world massively - particularly the events of the Second World War.
This book is very complex in that there are a lot of short stories woven into one another, which only start to come together about half way through the book.
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster has some very controversial and possibly offensive parts to it, there is a lot of hidden meaning and opinion in it about politics, religion and such - but unless you're really interested in that stuff, it shouldn't really bother you - just take it as a (very far fetched) story.
Many dead celebrities show up in this book, as well as Hitler himself (the above statement about being offensive doesn't apply to Hitler himself much so don't let that put you off). This makes for some very comical scenes and personalities.
As always Rankin's characters are well developed and strong. He lets their personalities come through in whatever the situation is and keeps good continuity.
A strange but awesome mix of history, conspiracy theories and life which perhaps some dabs into the back to the future theme. Just another day in Brentford really.
I highly recommend this book to anyone. It's a bit complex so it will keep you on your toes. If you're new to Rankin and want to be eased into his style - perhaps choose another of his books that are less complex.
Nevertheless this book is a real page turner, you won't want to put it down and be eager to pick it up again when you do. A great escape from reality, into a world that could have been... well perhaps not, but it's certainly a scary thought!
August 18, 2012
Again we enter into the bizarre pseudo-world known as Brentford with the master of weird fantasy-comedy, Robert Rankin.
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster, is the tale of a small film studio down on its luck that suddenly finds itself able to cast high-calibre actors. The fact that they are all dead is no obstacle to the meteoric rise of the studio and its bizarre third-rate Director. Clearly nothing is as it seems and as the plot unravels, it is typically surreal as we expect of Rankin with the jokes coming thick and fast.
With tales of time-travelling Nazis, pubs that get atomised when the Ark of the Covenant is opened, holographic projections of long-dead actors doing... shall we say things that they were not noted for... this is one of the more amusing of Rankin's earlier work. I've said before that I much prefer his later work such as Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse, Knees Up Mother Earth and The Da-Da-De-Da-Da Code but this is one of those exceptions. Like his earlier work though it is less of a satire and more surreal in its approach. The theme is a little dark in places with and ending that has both dark elements and a sense of justice.
The time-travelling tale will make your head spin and it is more cerebral than most of his other earlier work, amongst my least favourites are The Greatest Show Off Earth and The Book of Ultimate Truths which had few laughs and a plot I found it difficult to care about.
Not a bad addition into The Brentford Trilogy (how many are there now, about eight or nine?)
See more book reviews at my blog
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster, is the tale of a small film studio down on its luck that suddenly finds itself able to cast high-calibre actors. The fact that they are all dead is no obstacle to the meteoric rise of the studio and its bizarre third-rate Director. Clearly nothing is as it seems and as the plot unravels, it is typically surreal as we expect of Rankin with the jokes coming thick and fast.
With tales of time-travelling Nazis, pubs that get atomised when the Ark of the Covenant is opened, holographic projections of long-dead actors doing... shall we say things that they were not noted for... this is one of the more amusing of Rankin's earlier work. I've said before that I much prefer his later work such as Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse, Knees Up Mother Earth and The Da-Da-De-Da-Da Code but this is one of those exceptions. Like his earlier work though it is less of a satire and more surreal in its approach. The theme is a little dark in places with and ending that has both dark elements and a sense of justice.
The time-travelling tale will make your head spin and it is more cerebral than most of his other earlier work, amongst my least favourites are The Greatest Show Off Earth and The Book of Ultimate Truths which had few laughs and a plot I found it difficult to care about.
Not a bad addition into The Brentford Trilogy (how many are there now, about eight or nine?)
See more book reviews at my blog
January 27, 2018
The same type of comic fantasy as A Dog Called Demolition, this one involving time travel and set around the Flying Swan, the hero’s local pub which disappeared after the barman opened a Christmas present which might have been the Ark of the Covenant. Events then become more and more bizarre in a convoluted and over-the-top plot that is the vehicle for plenty of hit-and-miss one-liners and amusing set-pieces. Myth and reality merge but it all hangs together well. 3.5-4 stars.
October 24, 2011
в един форум попаднах на препоръки за този автор, към фен на Тери Пратчет, който бил изчел всичко и си търсеше подобни книги. В читанката има тази и още една - и двете се опитвах да ги зачитам, но това са сигурно най-скучните, разводнени и претенциозни книги, които съм опитвала.
Твърде много ненужни описания на какво ли не, твърде много детайли..
Твърде много ненужни описания на какво ли не, твърде много детайли..
February 6, 2018
Well, that was a fun read. Time travelling nazis, unspeakable alien horrors, ridiculous gags and liberal breaking of the fourth wall in a tall tale about making a film and saving the future. Throw in some additional meta-commentary from Pooley and O'Malley and it's all par for the course in a Rankin novel.
This was a good one. I can also recommend the author's own reading of the audio book.
This was a good one. I can also recommend the author's own reading of the audio book.
June 30, 2021
What an absurd comedy.
I'm glad I've read Douglas Adams, Tim Dorsey, Connie Willis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Christopher Moore. Their wildly topsy turvy tales prepared me for this in all the right ways.
Do you think writers like this start with a basic premise or setting, like time travel or the film industry, and just mad lib their way through the rest of the framework?
I'm glad I've read Douglas Adams, Tim Dorsey, Connie Willis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Christopher Moore. Their wildly topsy turvy tales prepared me for this in all the right ways.
Do you think writers like this start with a basic premise or setting, like time travel or the film industry, and just mad lib their way through the rest of the framework?
May 19, 2019
Quick paced and funny - laugh out loud funny in places. More serious near the middle and end (where had the humour gone?) Definitely want to read more of Rankins books - not to be taken seriously and full of whit!
May 25, 2020
Disappointed. Not a Douglas Adams not a Terry Pratchett. A bit of a mess. I can deal with the absurd (Adams was a genius) but this just didn’t work for me.
Obviously Rankin has an audience as he has a dozen or more titles out. But I won’t be among his readers/fans.
Obviously Rankin has an audience as he has a dozen or more titles out. But I won’t be among his readers/fans.
November 4, 2020
Time travelling Nazis in Essex...need I say more? OK then there's an Alien, people having time stolen and a pub that disappears along with its customers... Oh and a nice little back to the future nod. It's a quick read chuckle. Thanks once again Mr Rankin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2019
Допада ми стила на писане и хумора, с който е написна. Иначе ми идва малко прекалено объркана фабулата, чак на моменти минсе струва, че се заплита заради самото заплитане.
September 28, 2019
First third lulled me in as a regularly good Rankin. Last quarter was fine although ending a bit mmwh. Middle section nearly got it thrown. Odd .....but not in his best way sadly.
September 10, 2020
Complete nonsense. Enjoyed it.
Read
June 3, 2021sci fi fantasy, hitler and time travel and satan
June 6, 2021
Absolutely brilliant as always. A fantastic read
November 1, 2021
Crazy British humor.
December 23, 2021
Kind of like Douglas Adams novel, except not funny.
July 2, 2022
Extremely silly and lots of fun.
February 18, 2023
I can honestly say I have no idea what this book is about. The book synopsis sounds like a completely different book than what I read. Time travel, movie making, soul stealing and everyone's favorite super villain, Adolf Hitler all combine to make one confusing story. It's a bit too long and there aren't even any hamsters!
December 4, 2024
Decent comic fantasy novel, drawing with (but not officially part of) Rankin's Brentford series. The best thing about it is the title, which is fantastic; what it's relevance is to the text is only resolved near the end. At his best, Rankin is really funny, but he is inconsistent - and this novel is a microcosm of that.
July 2, 2021
Silly
April 25, 2023
Not one of my faves, was a bit too far fetched for me. And the storyline going going back and forth really ruined it for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews