Robert Rankin
Encyclopedia
Robert Fleming Rankin is a prolific British humorous novelist. Born in Parsons Green
, London, he started writing in the late 1970s, and first entered the bestsellers lists with Snuff Fiction in 1999, by which time his previous eighteen books had sold around one million copies. His books are a mix of science fiction
, fantasy
, the occult
, urban legend
s, running gag
s, metafiction
, steampunk
and outrageous characters. According to the (largely fictional) biography printed in some Corgi editions of his books, Rankin refers to his style as 'Far Fetched Fiction' in the hope that bookshops will let him have a section to himself. Many of Rankin's books are bestsellers.
Most of Rankin's books are set in Brentford
, a suburb of London where the author grew up, and which, in his novels, is usually infested with ancient evil and/or alien conspiracies.
In addition to his novels, Rankin held a position as the Writer in Residence of Brentford's Watermans Arts Centre
during the 1980s
, and organised a regular poetry event there which he claims was the largest in Britain. He also has performed on stage with a variety of bands.
Named after Rankin's fixation with the vegetable, there is a fan club called The Order of the Golden Sprout who maintain a web site (see external links below) and arrange events, many around Brentford. In 2009 he was created the first Fellow of The Victorian Steampunk Society in recognition of his unique contribution to the genre. He lives in Brighton with his wife.
, Rankin has not been embraced by other media to any particular level of success. However, this changed in 2008 when The Brightonomicon
was adapted into a 13 part full-cast audio drama by Hokus Bloke Productions and BBC Audiobooks starring Andy Serkis
, David Warner
, Jason Isaacs
, Rupert Degas
, Mark Wing-Davey
, Martin Jarvis and Sarah Douglas
. Initially released as a 7 CD boxset and as a digital download, the series has now been re-edited for radio transmission, and Robert's first ever radio series aired on BBC7 from 23 August to 15 November 2008. Rankin has also had his novel The Antipope
dramatised for audio, and has also read unabridged versions of many of his novels as audiobooks. He also currently writes a free, full colour webcomic called Robert Rankin's Empires for Beyond Reality Media in New Zealand.
and Alan Lee. He worked for Playboy
magazine and illustrated a book about The Beatles
before his portfolio was stolen and he abandoned the idea of working as a professional illustrator. However he created many of the sculptures which feature on his book covers, many of which were on display at The Collection, a gallery in Lincoln during September 2010. Some of these works were previously exhibited in Waterstones, Brighton, and at Gunnersbury Park Museum in 2007-8. In 2009 Rankin was commissioned by his publisher to provide a series of new illustrations for his back catalogue of books (from The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse
to the present), he also created new internal illustrations for The Brightonomicon
, Retromancer and The Japanese Devil Fish Girl and Other Unnatural Attractions. A cartoon by Rankin "The Robot and the Elongated Author" was published in Issue 13 of Murky Depths
, and 2010 also saw the publication of his first illustrated book, written by Neil Gardner: "The Bumper Book of Ficts", which was launched on 18 September 2010 in Brentford.
Parsons Green
Parsons Green is an area in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.The mainly residential area is named after the village green now called Parsons Green Park where the vicar of Fulham used to live...
, London, he started writing in the late 1970s, and first entered the bestsellers lists with Snuff Fiction in 1999, by which time his previous eighteen books had sold around one million copies. His books are a mix of science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
, fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
, the occult
Occult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
, urban legend
Urban legend
An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true...
s, running gag
Running gag
A running gag, or running joke, is a literary device that takes the form of an amusing joke or a comical reference and appears repeatedly throughout a work of literature or other form of storytelling....
s, metafiction
Metafiction
Metafiction, also known as Romantic irony in the context of Romantic works of literature, is a type of fiction that self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction, exposing the fictional illusion...
, steampunk
Steampunk
Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United...
and outrageous characters. According to the (largely fictional) biography printed in some Corgi editions of his books, Rankin refers to his style as 'Far Fetched Fiction' in the hope that bookshops will let him have a section to himself. Many of Rankin's books are bestsellers.
Most of Rankin's books are set in Brentford
Brentford
Brentford is a suburban town in west London, England, and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located at the confluence of the River Thames and the River Brent, west-southwest of Charing Cross. Its former ceremonial county was Middlesex.-Toponymy:...
, a suburb of London where the author grew up, and which, in his novels, is usually infested with ancient evil and/or alien conspiracies.
In addition to his novels, Rankin held a position as the Writer in Residence of Brentford's Watermans Arts Centre
Watermans Arts Centre
Watermans Art Centre is a multipurpose arts centre. It is located in Brentford, alongside the banks of the River Thames overlooking Kew Gardens.It includes a 239 seat theatre and a 125 seat cinema.-External links:* - Official site...
during the 1980s
, and organised a regular poetry event there which he claims was the largest in Britain. He also has performed on stage with a variety of bands.
Named after Rankin's fixation with the vegetable, there is a fan club called The Order of the Golden Sprout who maintain a web site (see external links below) and arrange events, many around Brentford. In 2009 he was created the first Fellow of The Victorian Steampunk Society in recognition of his unique contribution to the genre. He lives in Brighton with his wife.
Awards
- British Fantasy SocietyBritish Fantasy SocietyThe British Fantasy Society began in 1971 as the British Weird Fantasy Society, an offshoot of the British Science Fiction Association. The society is dedicated to promoting the best in the fantasy, science fiction and horror genres....
Best Novel nominee (1997) for The Brentford Chainstore Massacre - SFXSFX magazineSFX is a British magazine covering the topics of science fiction and fantasy.-Description:SFX magazine is published every four weeks by Future Publishing and was founded in 1995. The magazine covers topics in the genres of popular science fiction, fantasy and horror, within the media of films,...
Best Novel Award Winner (2003) for The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse - British Fantasy SocietyBritish Fantasy SocietyThe British Fantasy Society began in 1971 as the British Weird Fantasy Society, an offshoot of the British Science Fiction Association. The society is dedicated to promoting the best in the fantasy, science fiction and horror genres....
Best Novel nominee (2006) for The Brightonomicon - Coventry Inspiration Book Awards (2007) Lost Worlds: for The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse
- The Hub Best Comedy (Audio) Award for "The Brightonomicon - Audio Series"
- Fellow of The Victorian Steampunk Society (2009)
Other media
Unlike his contemporary Terry PratchettTerry Pratchett
Sir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett, OBE is an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels...
, Rankin has not been embraced by other media to any particular level of success. However, this changed in 2008 when The Brightonomicon
The Brightonomicon
The Brightonomicon is a novel by British Fantasy author Robert Rankin, the title parodying that of the fictional grimoire the Necronomicon from the Cthulhu Mythos. The author lives in Brighton and the book is set in an accurate depiction of the city...
was adapted into a 13 part full-cast audio drama by Hokus Bloke Productions and BBC Audiobooks starring Andy Serkis
Andy Serkis
Andrew Clement G. "Andy" Serkis is an English actor, director and author. He is popularly known for playing Gollum in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, for which he earned several award nominations, including the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Two Towers...
, David Warner
David Warner (actor)
David Warner is an English actor who is known for playing both romantic leads and sinister or villainous characters, both in film and animation...
, Jason Isaacs
Jason Isaacs
Jason Isaacs is an English actor born in Liverpool, who is best known for his performance as the villain Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, the brutal Colonel William Tavington in The Patriot and as lifelong criminal Michael Caffee in the internationally broadcast American television series...
, Rupert Degas
Rupert Degas
Rupert Joel Degas is an English actor and voice artist.- Early life:Degas was born in London, the son of screenwriter Brian Degas and television presenter Maggie Clews, whose marriage ended in divorce when he was eight...
, Mark Wing-Davey
Mark Wing-Davey
Mark Wing-Davey is a British actor and director.-Early life and career:The son of actor and actress Peter Davey and Anna Wing, Wing-Davey went to school at Woolverstone Hall School, before studying at Cambridge University where he was a member of the Footlights from 1967 to 1970.He had a featured...
, Martin Jarvis and Sarah Douglas
Sarah Douglas
Sarah Douglas is an English actress. She is perhaps best known for playing the Kryptonian supervillain Ursa in the first two Superman movies , and for her role as Pamela Lynch in the 1980s primetime drama series Falcon Crest .-Early life:Douglas was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, the...
. Initially released as a 7 CD boxset and as a digital download, the series has now been re-edited for radio transmission, and Robert's first ever radio series aired on BBC7 from 23 August to 15 November 2008. Rankin has also had his novel The Antipope
The Antipope
The Antipope is a comic fantasy novel by the British author Robert Rankin. It is Rankin's first novel, and the first book in the Brentford Trilogy . The book was first published in 1981 by Pan Books, and from 1991 by Corgi books, an imprint of Transworld Publishers...
dramatised for audio, and has also read unabridged versions of many of his novels as audiobooks. He also currently writes a free, full colour webcomic called Robert Rankin's Empires for Beyond Reality Media in New Zealand.
- The BrightonomiconThe BrightonomiconThe Brightonomicon is a novel by British Fantasy author Robert Rankin, the title parodying that of the fictional grimoire the Necronomicon from the Cthulhu Mythos. The author lives in Brighton and the book is set in an accurate depiction of the city...
- audio drama & radio series (BBC7) - The AntipopeThe AntipopeThe Antipope is a comic fantasy novel by the British author Robert Rankin. It is Rankin's first novel, and the first book in the Brentford Trilogy . The book was first published in 1981 by Pan Books, and from 1991 by Corgi books, an imprint of Transworld Publishers...
- audio drama & audiobook - The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the ApocalypseThe Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the ApocalypseThe Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse is a novel by the British author Robert Rankin. It is Rankin's 24th novel and his first for new publishers Gollancz. It is set in Toy City , a place where toys are alive and the characters from nursery rhymes are local celebrities. It is followed by a...
- audiobook - The ToyminatorThe ToyminatorThe Toyminator is a novel by the British author Robert Rankin. It is the sequel to The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse, winner of the 2003 SFX Magazine Best Novel Award. It follows the adventures of Eddie Bear and his sidekick Jack....
- audiobook - The Fandom of the Operator - audiobook
- Nostradamus Ate My HamsterNostradamus Ate My HamsterNostradamus Ate My Hamster is a fantasy novel by British author Robert Rankin. In it, several seemingly unconnected and nonsensical events come together to make perfect clarity at the end; these include time travel and an attempted alien invasion vaguely orchestrated by Hitler.The plot centers...
- audiobook
Art and illustration
Rankin studied at Ealing School of Art, where he was a contemporary of Freddie MercuryFreddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
and Alan Lee. He worked for Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
magazine and illustrated a book about The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
before his portfolio was stolen and he abandoned the idea of working as a professional illustrator. However he created many of the sculptures which feature on his book covers, many of which were on display at The Collection, a gallery in Lincoln during September 2010. Some of these works were previously exhibited in Waterstones, Brighton, and at Gunnersbury Park Museum in 2007-8. In 2009 Rankin was commissioned by his publisher to provide a series of new illustrations for his back catalogue of books (from The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse
The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse
The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse is a novel by the British author Robert Rankin. It is Rankin's 24th novel and his first for new publishers Gollancz. It is set in Toy City , a place where toys are alive and the characters from nursery rhymes are local celebrities. It is followed by a...
to the present), he also created new internal illustrations for The Brightonomicon
The Brightonomicon
The Brightonomicon is a novel by British Fantasy author Robert Rankin, the title parodying that of the fictional grimoire the Necronomicon from the Cthulhu Mythos. The author lives in Brighton and the book is set in an accurate depiction of the city...
, Retromancer and The Japanese Devil Fish Girl and Other Unnatural Attractions. A cartoon by Rankin "The Robot and the Elongated Author" was published in Issue 13 of Murky Depths
Murky Depths
Murky Depths bylined as "The Quarterly Anthology of Graphically Dark Speculative Fiction" is a British horror and science fiction magazine which began publishing in 2007. The magazine editor-in-chief is Terry Martin and the editor is Anne Stringer. The magazine is published four times a year. It...
, and 2010 also saw the publication of his first illustrated book, written by Neil Gardner: "The Bumper Book of Ficts", which was launched on 18 September 2010 in Brentford.