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Flan O'Brien was an odd character - and far more talented than Spike Milligan! Another great book of his was An Beal Bocht, which unfortunately he wrote in Irish, so you won't be able to enjoy it. But the translation, The Poor Mouth, is a hoot. Hope some of you try it.

TonyB wrote:Flan O'Brien was an odd character - and far more talented than Spike Milligan! Another great book of his was An Beal Bocht, which unfortunately he wrote in Irish, so you won't be able to enjoy it. But the translation, The Poor Mouth, is a hoot. Hope some of you try it.

I also enjoyed "At swim two birds" which I read before "the third policeman", his explorations of themes are similar in their use of surrealism to Boris Vian and there are also echoes with the work of Pinter and Beckett (not sure who influenced who if at all because I can't remember the relevant dates of being creatively active).

O'Brien gets a mention in the introduction to "The Essential Dave Allen" (essential reading if you have a sense of humour). He was a drinking buddy of Dave's father.

Barry

Has anyone read any Robert Rankin? Those of you who have will probably know what my avatar is all about, but if not, the Armageddon Trilogy is an excellent place to start (featuring Barry the Time Sprout, whose consciousness is lodged inside Elvis Presley's head - I kid you not). If you prefer demons and magic, the Brentford Trilogy is excellent. Rankin really knows his demonology. He's been described as the drinking man's H.G Wells, but there's more than a touch of H.P Lovecraft on acid in there.

Tomo wrote:Has anyone read any Robert Rankin? Those of you who have will probably know what my avatar is all about, but if not, the Armageddon Trilogy is an excellent place to start (featuring Barry the Time Sprout, whose consciousness is lodged inside Elvis Presley's head - I kid you not). If you prefer demons and magic, the Brentford Trilogy is excellent. Rankin really knows his demonology. He's been described as the drinking man's H.G Wells, but there's more than a touch of H.P Lovecraft on acid in there.

I'd start with the Brentford trilogy TBH, too many running gags from Brentford in the Armageddon Trilogy.

See you at the Flying Swan? Tell Neville that mine's a pint of Large. That Soap Distant still owes me money...

soveda wrote:See you at the Flying Swan? Tell Neville that mine's a pint of Large. That Soap Distant still owes me money...

I think Soap dug so far down he started supplying the borough with geothermal energy.