Book Review – The Mechanical Messiah

by Robert Rankin (Gollancz) ISBN: 9780575086371

Ever wondered what life would be like if Mr Holmes had a ray gun and Moriarty was literally the devil? No, me neither, but it makes for damn good reading.

This book harks but to a time when men were men and women had magic powers and aliens roamed the tundra of mars. Ah! The old days…

Besides the silly nature of this work, it is wonderfully easy to read. It has the action and pace to keep you up late and make you call in sick the next morning because you “just have to know!”.

Does the devil like music hall? Can the people of Jupiter and Venus be trusted and just how big can the British Empire get? To know all this and less, you must read this magical steam-punk space thriller. There are some who say you should stick to one genre. I don’t know of anyone by name, but they tend to be boring smelly and wrong most of the time.

So strap on your phazers, polish your cane and wax your moustache because you’re in for the ride of life, and for the Queen’s sake remember to bring your top hat!

Christopher Dean

4.5/5