Spanky

I recently met this demon muse. You know, like the one who appeared to Socrates. Only we went shopping and he gave me a haircut . . .

When Martyn Ross meets a daemon called Spancialosaphus Lacrimosae in a night club, his life takes a turn for the better. Spanky takes him in hand, improving his confidence and sorting out his clothes, career and love-life as well as his disfunctional family. But surely Spanky isn't helping Martyn out of the goodness of his heart? There must be a catch, mustn't there?

A contemporary horror story that is lots of fun (and not too scary).

I'm afraid Spanky (who still looks like Brad Pitt to me) didn't get to see any California sun. It's been raining the entire time he's been here.

Anyway, the book reminded me a lot of the film Shawn of the Dead in its blending of comedy (with the array of loser characters stuck in dead end jobs and dreary lives) and horror (daemons in this case). The pacing was good, though the last show down took longer than I thought it warranted but it was compelling enough a read that as soon as I got home from work each day, I carried the book around to sneak a few pages between making dinner or doing the dishes, etc.

I'm one of those Fowler fans who wish he's done more books like Spanky instead of moving so firmly into the Bryant and May detective series. Spanky, in spite of the slightly BDSM cover is not erotica it's just a brilliant modern faust take. Well written, witty, dark and a bit of a sly dig at human nature. I'd like to say more but I am a bit nervous of spoilers.

I've read hundreds of books but this is one that sticks with me, still frightened to put my feet down to the end of the bed - bit like Jaws if you were only a kid when you first saw that. It's surreal, it's real and it's scarey. I'll get back to you when I finally understand what this book is all about . I've read Dostoyevsky and even managed to battle through Bram Stokers' original Dracula but the raw understanding of human nature that Christopher Fowler puts in to this book has sadly proved to be beyond me so far (and I've read all his books). It is a book that you will read and read again until you get it - and even when you do, I bet you'll read it again.

This is my second time reading Spanky - its a modern macabre tale of getting what you wish for then regretting it. The central character is stuck in a dead job and a dead end life until he meets the mysterious Spanky who claims he is a daemon and that he can help transform his life, at no cost. Of course there is a cost and the daemon is determined to get his pound of flesh! Its a well written book, zips along at a great pace and is set in a superbly evoked late eighties London. There are twists and turns and the outcome is not quite as expected. Enjoyed reading it just as much as first time round. I recently "rediscovered" Christopher Fowler's early Urban horror books (Psychoville, Disturbia, Roofworld) and they are well worth show more searching out. show less

I was living in London, Islington during the midd 90s and 'Spanky' was fly-posted on every spare inch of wall (illegally I'm sure!), I assumed it was another ad. for a S&M club or something - lol! The cover is greatly misleading - albeit memorable! Years later I discovered a book review and though it sounded intriguing. I cheated a bit and bought the audio book because I was already in the middle of a long series of books and didn't want to divert my attentions too far away (since I wasn't reading horror). I have to admit that Spanky was excellent! I have now purchased the book - which I must get round to reading for myself at some point. I have to give it 5 stars. not because the story is in any way original ; but, because it is show more excellently executed. show less

EXCELLENT WRITER. A Faustian Fantasy. Began to lose interest as plot got more and more ridiculous.