The Sprouts of Wrath

Brentford #4

by Robert Rankin

The fourth part of the "Brentford Trilogy". Amazing, but true, Brentford Town Council has agreed to host the next Olympic Games. However, something sinister is afoot in Brentford, and it is up to the regulars of The Flying Swan to save the world as we know it.

Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Fiction, Comedy, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Comic Fantasy

286 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

"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.

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continues in the same vein as the previous three, rather well too. If you liked the previous three, you’ll like this.

[Martin Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This must be one of Mr Rankin's best. Not only do you get all of the Brentford stalwarts doing battle against the forces of darkness and chaos, you also get the mages mage, the perfect master, the lad himself, Hugo Rune! Superbly irreverent, rather silly in a peculiarly British way, should be on the syllabus of any course which aims to provide an understanding of Brits and British humour.

[Isabel (kittiwake) · Rating 4 out of 5]

'And the lights upon the allotment,' said Soap, 'what would you take those to be?'
'The work of the council,' said Omally firmly, 'another plot to confound honest golfers.'
Soap burst into a paroxysm of laughter. Tears rolled down his pale cheeks and he clutched at his stomach.
'Come now,' said Pooley, 'it is no laughing matter, these lads have it in for us.'
'Have it in for you?' gasped Soap between convulsions. 'You witness a test run of laser-operated gravitational landing beams, the product of a technology beyond comprehension, and you put it down to the work of Brentford Council?'
'If you will pardon me,' said Pooley, somewhat offended, 'If it is the product of a technology beyond comprehension I hardly feel that I can be blamed for finding it so.'
'Quite', said Omalley.

1) The Antipope
2) The Brentford Triangle
3) East of Ealing
4) The Sprouts of Wrath
5) The Brentford Chainstore Massacre

I decided that I should try to fit in some re-reads of old favourites over the next few months, and I started with The Brentford Trilogy since I've got two linked books on my TBR shelf. I liked book 1 of this series, but it was book 2 that got me hooked. On the surface Brentford may appear to be a normal West London suburb, but it's actually a centre of weirdness and a magnet for the uncanny. So it's lucky that the mysterious Professor Slocombe, and local layabouts Pooley and Omalley are ready to tackle evil whenever it rears its head, with the help of the inventive genius Norman Hartnel, hollow-earther Soap Distant and the other regulars of The Flying Swan pub.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as all of the others, been a while since I finished it and have three other authors books since so cannot give an accurate opinion of the book, but suffice to say thta Pooley and O'Malley are still my homeboys ! :-)

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim Pooley, John OMalley and Professor Slocombe must save Brentford and the world once again. This time, it all starts out on a high note when Brentford is the chosen site for the Olympic Games. Will Jim finally win his fortune from Bob the Bookie? Will Brentford finally take its place in world history. Or does the anonymous wealthy backer of Brentford’s Olympic bid have something sinister in mind?

[Simon Mcleish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog here in February 2001.

The fourth of Rankin's Brentford series is written along much the same lines as the first three. Following accidents and sabotage, Birmingham has to cancel its Olympics bid at the last minute, and a mysterious sponsor allows Brentford borough council to step in and take over. A stadium appears overnight, in the form of a pentagram made from a revolutionary new anti-gravitational substance, tethered in the air over the buildings of the London suburb.

The Sprouts of Wrath is not as funny as its predecessors, and this means that the chaotic nature of the plot is more exposed to view. There are some good ideas - perpetual layabouts Jim Pooley and John O'Malley having to find paid work; the attempt by the brewery to turn traditional pub The Flying Swan into an Olympic theme bar; the town councillors who believe themselves to be reincarnations of American Indian chiefs - but Rankin's heart doesn't really seem to be in it this time around.

[[ J o ] · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Quick review from memory until I re-read and re-review at a later date:

Well, the blurb made me chortle but in general I have no memory.]

[Gavin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pratchett on ket: that is, slurred, free-associating, oddly sexual. Only for nerdy British teenagers and probably not even them.

[Mark Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rankin’s Brentford trilogy is an absolute must-read collection of British literature. The wordplay is glorious - genuinely laugh-out-loud funny - and the wonderfully crafted description presents similes, metaphors, repetition, adjectives et al in an array of fresh new ways that make you want to just stand up and applaud.

Rankin effortlessly mixes pagan rites, ancient legends, satanic ritual and wild urban myths smoothly with quintessentially British tradition and values. Where else but Britain could demonic forces erupt from such scenes as allotment sheds, pub pinball machines or corner shop kitchens?

But Rankin’s true mastery is in his character creation. In this book in particular many of Rankin’s side characters (Neville, Norman, Professor Slocombe, Old Pete) get a decent outing alongside the ever-present Pooley and Omally, and this leads to an even more hilariously convoluted plot.

A joy to read.

[John Defrog: global citizen, local gadfly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The fourth episode of Rankin’s Brentford series, this one about an evil plot to hold the Olympics in Brentford. I’m pretty much committed to reading everything Rankin’s ever done, and this one has a lot of the usual fun and humor you get from a book with John O’Mally and Jim Pooley in it, but storywise, it’s a little weak. Not bad, but Rankin’s done better.

[Martin Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brentford's summer of sport

Following a convenient fire in Birmingham, Brentford gets the chance to host a major sporting event. But all is not as it seems. When is it ever in Robert Rankin's Brentford?

The trilogy continues with book four.

[Max Janatsch]

It was a pretty interesting read. I’m really not sure how it ended up in my library but I listened to it anyways. It’s a bummer it was book 4 out of 4, so maybe one day I’ll read the other 3. I should probably read them in reverse just to keep it real 🤣

[Olly Colluphid · Rating 3 out of 5]

This may seem odd to say about a Rankin book but... The first three felt more tightly written than this. This is still enjoyable but hanging a lampshade on the failure to come up with an idea at one point draws attention to too many other loose threads. Maybe it's just me. I did enjoy it though.

[Jo Prince · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny. The fourth book in the Brentford trilogy.
The Olympics come to Brentford, or at least above it.

[Sean Keefe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun, Rankin at his best, and nary a sprout to be seen throughout the whole book.

[Simon Bostock · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a surprise to no one, there are forces at work in Brentford, soon to be the site of the olympic games. After their illicit operation disappears, John OMally and Jim Pooley are tasked by Professor Slocome of getting gainful employment, and to keep their noses clean. What transpires is another fight against forces that wish to do harm to Brentford and the world at large.

Another in the Brentford trilogy, this is a more straightforward story, with the occasional side plots, involving enough money to retire on, there is a somewhat stereotypical portrayal of the spirit of native american of Geronimo, which seemed a bit oof, in today's more politically aware society.

There are the usual main characters including Norman from the paper shop and Neville the part time barman, it introduces, inspector Hovis, and Hugo Rune.

Overall, a good story, that moves at a quick pace, and doesn't tangent off, too much.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth in the trilogy(that isn't really a trilogy) and this time Pooley, Omalley & co. are once more fighting the forces of darkness, this time against the backdrop of the Olympics. To be honest, I think you could run these characters through any situation or adventure with success. The story itself really is more of the same and could do with an injection of a little more originality at this point, but still, I look forward to these ones.

All in all, I think if you're looking for a quick, easy read that doesn't require much engagement of grey-matter then this is it. I always have to find something a little more involved to read afterwards just to wake my brain up again.

A good, easy read. Read it for the characters, not the story.

[Helle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole Brentford “trilogy” may be getting a bit repetitive, but I find these books quite enjoyable to read, mostly on holidays when I want something light and fun. In The Sprouts of Wrath the Olympics are coming to Brentford – so what could possibly go wrong? Once again it is Pooley and Omally to the rescue, with “some” help of Professo Slocombe, in a desperate attempt to prevent the world from ending altogether.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

The London (Brentford) Olympics and the end of the world?
One might think that Robert Rankin had jumped on the whole 2012 end of the world bandwagon.
Not so, this book was first released in 1988 and was just every so aptly released by Mr Rankin himself as an e-book for the kindle.

Want to see how the world will end? Well this probably isn't it, but it is an immensley fun read.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brentford becomes the home of the Olympics, and everything is not as it seems. Something evil is lurking. More story driven than previous books, this has a feeling of finality to it. There are parts that will make you smile, as always. It does get quite dark near the end though, with the fight against evil. A good read.

[Eireanngobrach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure madness but in a very good way. This is just so funny.....dare I say it .... the thinking man's Terry Pratchett. The best thing about this "trilogy" is that it comes in 4 parts !

[Paul Devall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proper Rankin. Brentford.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I should have read the first three books in the trilogy before starting the 4th volume. But it was still funny and easy to follow. Much like Pratchett, and set in England...my fave place.

[Jed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an overlooked hilarious british author. If you like Douglas Adams, hit this guy up.

[Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb! Can't wait to read the next one...