The Dance of the Voodoo Handbag

If you've never read Rankin before then here's an easy, if not bizarre, novel to start with. It's a standard save the world from the madman affair, except it's from the viewpoint of a deluded schizophrenic, in a world populated by equally odd misfits. What strings this toegther is Rankin's off-the-wall (and at times hilarious) musings on our universe (no subject to large to tackle) and a clever mix of technology and religion (although not in much of a serious way, this is Rankin after all). As you might expect there are a few recurring gags in there, just to ensure conisitency with his other books. It's a clever plotline (for once) and there's no gaping holes that are evident in some of his other stories. It's also not too long, another show more prevalent problem in a few of his books. This is spot one. Quirky, yet funny. Dark at times, slapstick at others. A book well worth the time. show less

The story begins in an insane asylum, and it is mad all the way through.

This novel is a first person account with the author (or someone of the same name) as the main character. It also includes Voodoo gods, a Guardian Sprout (like an angel only vegetable based), and a madman bent on taking over the world. It is the second book in the “Completely Barking Mad” Trilogy, preceded by 'Sprout Mask Replica,' and followed by 'Waiting for Godalming.'

It’s hard to pick a genre for this book, let alone summarize the plot, but I’ll give both a try. For genre, I’d label it ‘comic science fantasy.’ It’s certainly funny. None of the characters comes within shouting distance of ‘sane,’ but it also includes a little light show more philosophical messing-with-your-head stuff and a few pokes at contemporary culture, which take it a step above pure slapstick. It has some high-tech virtual reality elements (Sci-Fi), as well as supernatural entities (fantasy). The plot, such as one exists, centers around an insane fellow who adopts different personalities to suit the occasion (and has a voice in his head named Barry) trying to stop a less obvious but far more dangerous lunatic from subjugating humanity -- or something like that. This is Rankin. It’s not really supposed to make a lot of sense.

What it lacks in plot and character development, it compensates for with pure zany antics, complete with a classic cartoon scene climax with a dropping piano and dynamite in the trousers. It reminded me of the movie, 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit.' Yeah, it’s juvenile, but it’s funny!

I’ll recommend this book simply because it’s fun, and fun is good. show less

I love when Rankin writes in the first person, and i love the character on lazlo woodbine. This book combines both beautifully, as usual rankin fills the book with bizarre plot twists, nonsensical happenings and a truck load of gags, one of the most recent rankin books i have read, which i am pleased about as the more you read of this author the more you enjoy his books.

Still working my way through the Rankin back catalog. This one is pretty standard for him, though there’s some ultra-clever twists in it where you try to figure out if the narrator is sane or not. And there’s the usual great running gags and old jokes and whatnot.