Giving Readers Titus Groan - Epic Fantasy story (Mervyn Peake)

I loved this story set in a fantasy world, almost like a prehistoric England trapped in a vast crumbling castle of nooks and crannies, where everyone has minor functions to serve the household of the vast Castle estate of Gormanghast. We have Steerpike, our conniving and wretched youngster who learns how to immerse himself into the fabric of the castle's day to day running, gate crashing into the time held and futile traditions of the decadent society. Flay the head servant to the Earl and Countess of Groan, Swelter the repulsive bully and head cook of the castle. This is the first book of a trilogy and it is a glorious read. The second book called; Gormanghast is equally as gripping. However, Titus alone was very difficult in my humble opinion, The consolation for me is; each of the first two books stand alone and make a wonderful story. The first book of Titus Groan has an splendid and very atmospheric climax as Mister Flay and the castle's head butcher, (Mister Swelter) have a duel amid the crumpling ruins during a stormy downpour. The mind's eye can see the confrontation in all its Gothic glory.

Edmund Cooper - ALL FOOL'S DAY

ALL FOOL'S DAY

This has to be my most favourite of Edmund Cooper novels and he has written a few good ones. We are once again in a post-apocalyptic Britain. This is often Edmund Coopers type of brave new world. Each apocalypse is a different type of thing in most of his stories. Perhaps it was his desire to destroy the real world and invent many types of new one - hence his regular sci/fi formula of after the disaster. In this, there are sunspots that cause mass suicide and only the more mentally unstable and unbalanced characters seem to have survived. They struggle to invent some semblance of a new order. The stories are simplistic pulp science fiction, and this is one of Edmund Cooper's best in my view. I really enjoyed this story.

Giving You a Dark Age Tale - Romano British Celts v Saxon Migrants in AD 567

A Celtic king dies in 567 AD. He leaves a realm in West Romano cultured Britain without an heir. While in a neighbouring kingdom of Saxon migrants a chance to expand into the Romano-British kingdom becomes a temptation too tempting to resist.

A bold undertaking by the pagan Gewisse Saxon migrants appears to be a straightforward endeavour. However, the fixations of intoxicated and audacious warriors do not always deliver the desired outcome, when up against cold reality.

SAXON QUEST by C.A. Powell

Bringing You The Controversial Flatulence Tax Meter

Bert Pants MP

MP Bert Pants and the Controversial Flatulence Tax Meter

The British government has run out of things to tax. The citizens of the nation are becoming increasingly suspicious of the various stealth taxes that are being brought in. However, one charismatic Conservative MP, Bert Pants, from Forthrington West has come up with a micrometre for every citizen.

These tiny meters can be inserted beneath a layer of skin in the buttock area. Preferably close to the rectal opening. The device records flatulence output as it is released from the posterior. The British government is planning to charge its citizens on the amount of combustible gas released into the environment. Many see this as an outrageous stealth tax move.

There is a fanfare of opposition, but the government is insisting that under the present climate, this could be a big source of revenue. Especially among lager louts who insist on visits to the curry houses on Friday and Saturday nights after leaving the Public houses.

Health enthusiasts, who eat lots of fruit and fibre, are saying this is an extremely unfair tax burden upon health-conscious people.

MP Bert Pants caused a further uproar, with his undiplomatic approach. He said, "Health freaks might think they are being kind to the environment, but it is not the case for unfortunate people who get stuck in the lift with such health-conscious people. Especially after a course of fruit and fibre intake." At the time, Mister Pants was brandishing a letter from an irate voter as he delivered the damning verdict.

Veronica Crinklebottom of Fruit and Fibre Health Foods Magazine replied furiously to Mr Pants' biased attack. She demanded to know why MPs would be excluded from the Flatulence tax bill.

Hugh Jarris of Fine Ales Magazine also lent his voice to the argument. He said, "All MPs are all full of hot air. They are too frightened to have Flatulence meters. We all know they would make up a sizable percentage of incoming revenue. After all, they like a hearty breakfast in the subsidized parliamentary canteen. They are all into exotic lunches come afternoon.

As the controversial argument continues; the world looks on aghast at the British government's gall. Trade Unions are threatening to ballet voters for a national strike. Other organizations are campaigning for a wave of civil disobedience as the entire British nation is in a head-on rush to let off as much steam as possible before this legislation is enforced.