The Peculiar Exploits of Brigadier Ffellowes

Brigadier Ffellows #1

by Sterling E. Lanier

First UK edition hardcover, with an introduction by Arthur C. Clarke, in unclipped dust jacket, in good condition. Jacket is scuffed and sunned, and edges are creased. Lower board corners and spine ends are bumped and rubbed, and page block is tanned and blemished. Pages are clear and unmarked throughout. LW

Genres: Adventure, Short Stories, Fantasy, Occult Detective

159 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Sterling Edmund Lanier was an American editor, science fiction author and sculptor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterlin...

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a moderately entertaining series of stories recounted late in life by an adventurous military officer/spy/recreational traveler to his club members. Some manage to be thrilling, like when he's hunted through the forest at night; others, like the cult who worship crabs, seem too ridiculous to take seriously (and no, I'm pretty sure they're not meant to be humorous, Lanier's humor is pretty stilted).

The usual outdated attitudes to women and minorities are present, benignly -- by which I mean Celts are passionate and unreliable, women are an irrational species alien from men, dark-skinned folks are superstitious, etc, but he doesn't seem to hate or fear them. As is often the case in travel adventure, the white heroes repeatedly laugh in the faces of locals who attempt to warn them, and as per usual the author does not seem to draw the relevant lesson from how the minority characters are always right and the white folks ought to have heeded them.

I'm not displeased to have spent the time reading this, but probably won't seek out more by this author.

[David Kopaska-Merkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a highly inappropriate title. I can see how, in 1972, the publisher might have thought otherwise. The stories have a common format: the Brigadier regales his men's club with stories of adventures that are quite unbelievable. But this is weird fiction, in today's terms. The stories are outre and terrifying. In content, though not in writing style or format, they remind me of Blackwood or Howard. In one, "His Only Safari," a wartime manhunt turns into a jungle battle with a monster that can force humans to take on its own physical characteristics. "A Feminine Jurisdiction" takes place on an unknown Greek island ruled by Medusa's sisters. The legends, it turns out, do not do justice to the horror attendant on meeting them. A better title would have gone a long way toward introducing fans of what's now called weird fiction to Lanier's macabre imagination. However, I do think that the hermit-crab god was a bit over the top.

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my vacation indulgence ... a book purchase for the road. I am surprised I don't hear this book spoken of more often. It was one of the inspirations for Arthur C. Clarke's Tales of the White Hart and, although more weird tales-ish than sci-fi fun, it is perfectly grand. I may have a crush on the good Brigadier, by the way.

[Ptaylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so thrilled to find this book. It seems to be available only as an ebook. It's one I'd heard of years ago, and hadn't been able to find. I love Lanier's characters. Who doesn't know someone who is as big a pill as Mason Williams? And Brigadier Ffellowes - well, his adventures make those of Indiana Jones seem tame! A very enjoyable escape and recommended for those who like fantasy.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually only listened to one story from this book, "The Sea King." Pretty good! not enough to make me read the rest, I think, but that has more to do with my taste than the quality of the story.

[Niall O'Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at when this was published (1971) as it seems from an earlier age. Some words and attitudes are ahem, old fashioned, but then so is the Brigadier. The derring-do is also very 30s (the setting for many of these stories). These are pulp pieces, but ones that show tremendous imagination and sense of fun. Its influences are too numerous to mention, but something rather unique still emerges. I suppose I should be annoyed at the cavalier use of my country's myths in 'His Coat So Gay' (it's Ard Rí or Ardrí by the way), but it's all done with such verve you have to enjoy it (and it put me in mind of Halloween 3). What is rather blackly humourous is how the amiable old storyteller seems to leave so many dead in his wake (consider the aforementioned story and 'Soldier Key' and even 'The Leftovers'. Four stars is perhaps a bit much, but there's no denying the skill of the storytelling. And again it is fun.

[Garick Cooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I largely agree with Mir’s review. Three stars because I did devour this book in a 24-hour period. Lanier had something of a storyteller’s gift.

The bit with the giant hermit crab is laughable, but I found it strangely entertaining, nonetheless.

[Madeline Lafleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

tall tales

Sterling Lanier is an excellent story teller. A few story lines have attitudes that would be considered offensive today but all in all an enjoyable read :)

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best "club story" collection I have read

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bizarre British science fiction/mystery.