Book: Djinn Rummy by Tom Holt

Tom Holt is an author of parodic mythopoeic fiction.

...whatever that means...

The story bears the same vein as Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, or Terry Pratchett's Discworld stories. It's that odd humourous style where the author is having a greater dialogue with the reader than he is with his own characters. Characterised with lots of satire and unusual metaphors.

My favourite quote is still,

"...the effect of a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster is like having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick."

---Hitchhiker's Guide---

Read a couple of Tom Holts previously, Expecting Somebody Taller, Grailblazers, and Paint Your Dragon.

He likes to take various myths, and bring the mythical creatures or legendary heroes into the present world. Naturally, the characters have quite a culture shock, and hilarity ensues.

The mortals in his book often lack character.... and frequently characterised by being jaded and underwhelmed by the adventures they're having.

The stories are amusing, but of course, not on the same par as the late Douglas Adams.


Djinn Rummy is about genies.

A woman is contemplating suicide by overdosing on a bottle of expired aspirin, but finds a genie in the bottle instead of blessed release. Her first wish: "I'd like another twelve million wishes."

And there's no escape clause for the genie, so he's stuck doing dishes, random chores, and home deco stuff for his new owner. As well as bringing her along to his favourite yoghurt and KaraOke joint.


Amusing writing. But much like the mortals in Holt's books, I remain underwhelmed. Not so much as a chuckle.

Disturbingly, I find Denny Crane's erection more amusing than parodic fiction.

Too much TV may be rotting my brain.

But I did have the satisfaction of proofing the book for the community who's making fine works of fiction available to those on a budget.

"Oh woman, in our hours of ease, Uncertain, coy and hard to please; When pain and anguish rack the brow, An even greater nuisance thou."

---Djinn Rummy---

Oh, and if you didn't get that joke, Sir Walter Scott's original poem ended with, "When pain and anguish wring the brow, A ministering angel thou!"