Web Site Story

Robert Rankin

They wrote it off as a scare story. The Millennium Bug, the non-event of the twentieth century. But they were wrong because the Bug was real. Is real. It's a Computer virus and it's about to make the deadly species crossover from machine to mankind. The Black Death was spread by rats. But this plague will be spread by a mouse. The computer mouse. And do you know how many different kinds of computer viruses there are? And just what they do? And just what they might do to you if you become infected? No? Then read this book and learn the terrible truth.

Or perhaps you'd rather take a holiday in Brentfordland®? Formerly known as Brentford, this Thames side Shangri-La is now London 's first-ever suburban theme park and holiday village. A world of excitement, relaxation and fabulous fun, waiting for you. To find out more, log on to the Brentfordland® web site.

Just give your computer mouse a wiggle.

Go on.

What harm can it do?

Review by Ray (010602) Rating (7/10)
Review by Nigel (010102) Rating (7/10)

Review by Ray
Brentfordland, London's first ever suburban theme park…

Big Bob doesn't know it yet but his absentminded idea whilst driving a tour bus may just come true…

The story revolves around two characters, one a sad newsroom hack, the other, the girl of his dreams who doesn't scoff at his collection of 20th century arcade games. A computer virus that may just get you more attached to your computer than you ever thought possible. Mute Corp and its pc's may just be the last website you ever look at.

As is usual with Rankin, the story takes a little time to get started and can appear a bit disjointed. Persevere and a good story will drag you in.

It is very 'Matrixy' but a good story of good versus evil and running gags throughout. Why does Milton Keynes strike terror into Rankin? It must be the roundabouts :-)

A good read, not one of his best but worth a look.
Ray (1st June 2002)

Review by Nigel
It's official, Robert Rankin is barking… Web Site Story sees the residents of Brentford being Raptured away to heaven. That is they start to disappear in front of a lot of witnesses and so what other explanation can there be? Kelly Anna Sirjan believes otherwise and sets about, with the love-lorn Derek, to solve the problem. Enter a Matrix type plot where reality is not necessarily all it seems…

As usual watch out for some classic Robert Rankin lines, such as:

'You Judas!'
'I'm not,' said Derek, crossing his heart. 'I'm not. I'm not, I'm not.'

Mixing Judas and Peter but still very funny.

Again, if you're a Rankin fan, you will enjoy this tale, if not you will wonder what the hell you are reading. Great fun.

One day I must work out the chronology of all the Brentford novels, I'm sure there must be some secret message in there that will make it all seem sane… or maybe not.
Nigel (1st January 2002)