Different Planet

by Julian Worker

5 Days in the life of an English officeThere's lots of banter and insults flying around in this story.Different Planet is a story about the voyage of Albert Martin from a boorish anti-environmentalist to a supporter of the fight against Global Warming. Initially, Martin is described as coming from a different planet because of his throwaway attitude towards everything and everybody. He insults people and doesn't see anything wrong in the way he behaves. He is a conspicuous consumer who drives a Hummer, who doesn't put paper in the recycling, and who despises people who keep fit. Gradually, he begins to see the light. His children are learning about green issues at primary school and there's a person at work called Nigel Todd who lives a considerate life and keeps fit. Martin challenges Todd to a race, but loses. Martin says he will beat Todd the next time. He starts to live a healthier lifestyle. Martin is a lot cleverer than people give him credit for;he finds out the identity of a mole at his company, who has been giving secrets to one of their suppliers. He does this by looking at the phone messages of the supplier's main manager, whilst this manager is out of the office. The book is not just about Martin, but also includes a number of diverting characters. There's a rather fat, jolly contractor, who is exceedingly good at programming, there's a lady who dresses like her mother did 30 years previously, but who is very practical. There's a loudmouth character who doesn't know when to shut up, a woman who doesn't have sex often enough for her own liking, a man who drives his car into a motorway barrier at 100 mph sideways, and a man who can't stop breaking wind and who has to go outside and emit his farts in the fresh air. These people and others interact with and influence Martin. Ultimately, Martin is a good person who tries to do the right thing more often than not; he learns a lot from Todd and grudgingly admires him for the stance he takes, even though initially Martin doesn't respect Todd. Interwoven with Martin's story is another thread relating to a character called Tommy Bunn, who learns some lessons about life during the book. At first, he does strange things, such as going to the wrong village to attend a rock concert. Gradually, Bunn matures and finally he is able to hold a nice conversation with a female.

241 pages, Paperback

Published April 14, 2017

About the author

I was born in Leicester and support the Tigers and the relegated Foxes. I attended school in Yorkshire and university in Liverpool.

I have visited 96 countries and territories. My most recent trips in 2023 were to Islay, Jura, Madeira, Porto Santo, mainland Portugal, North-Eastern Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, and The Peloponnese.

In 2024, I went to The Algarve, rode on The Great Little Trains of Wales, sailed between the Saronic Gulf islands of Greece as well as visiting Thessaloniki, The Pembrokeshire Coast, and the Ionian island of Kythira.

I love photography and writing.

My second newest book is called Dragon Lawyer : Scales of Justice and is about a young dragon called Wendy who becomes a lawyer in a parallel universe. She helps fairy tale characters obtain legal redress for the injustices they've suffered in previous stories.

My newest book is called Tree-Hugging Cats, the third book in the series about Gemma and Freddie, two cats who save a local tree from felling as well breaking up a people-smuggling ring at Europoort.