Open Sesame

by Tom Holt

There was something wrong! Just as the boiling water was about to be poured on his head and the man with the red book appeared and his life flashed before his eyes, Akram the Terrible, the most feared thief in Baghdad, knew this had happened before. Many times. And he was damned if he was going to let it happen again. Just because he was a character in a story didn't mean that it always had to end this way. Meanwhile, back in Southampton, it's a bit of a shock for Michelle when she puts on her Aunt Fatima's ring and the computer and the telephone start to bitch at her for past misdemeanors. But that's nothing compared to the story that her kitchen appliances have to tell her.

Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Fiction, Comedy, Fairy Tales, Science Fiction Fantasy, Comic Fantasy

312 pages, Paperback

First published June 5, 1997

About the author

Tom Holt (Thomas Charles Louis Holt) is a British novelist.
He was born in London, the son of novelist Hazel Holt, and was educated at Westminster School, Wadham College, Oxford, and The College of Law, London.
Holt's works include mythopoeic novels which parody or take as their theme various aspects of mythology, history or literature and develop them in new and often humorous ways. He has also produced a number of "straight" historical novels writing as Thomas Holt and fantasy novels writing as K.J. Parker.

Reviews

[Flamesparrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a tooth fairy named Fang, and a girl raised by household appliances. What more could you want in a book?

[Dark-Draco · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I've read something by Tom Holt. I do like his books, but somehow I always end up comparing to the genus that is the Discworld, so end up mildly disappointed. That said, I enjoyed this 're-telling' of the Ali-Baba story. It was a bit confusing to start with, there's quite a few characters and they get referred to differently depending on which side of The Line they are, but once I'd got that sorted it my head, it was fine. Some funny moments (although some of the jokes have aged a bit!) and the ending was good. I loved the fact that Akram's idea of a Happy Ever After was running his own burger bar.

[Chris Amies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Holt has been at it as long as Terry P. and writes in a very different vein - more the interruption of the fantastical into our world (thus an inversion of the standard Fantasy trope of an Earther at the court of the Dark Lord). In Open Sesame it’s the turn of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, who cross the Line that divides our world from Storyland, and land in Southampton. There’s a bandit called Akram who without the constraints of his story is able to go straight and show Ali Baba for the villain he is; there’s a girl called Michelle who was raised by domestic appliances; and there’s a Fairy Godfather who grants people wishes they can’t refuse - which works better than it sounds.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy diving into a world of fairytale creatures... and find out what they are up to when they AREN'T in your books... this one is for you! It's fun and creative. One of my all time favorite books.

[Bart]

todo

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Tom Holt's best novels.

[Nathan Dehoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one returns to the idea of fictional characters crossing into the real world, with its main focus being on the tale of Ali Baba. Characters in stories are forced to relive their events over and over again, and after being boiled to death multiple times, the leader of the Forty Thieves decides to get out of his rut and make the journey into reality. This requires making a deal with the Mafia Godfather, who is married to Scheherazade. He later finds out that Ali Baba has already crossed over, is working as a dentist, and has a long-lost daughter. While the thief, whose name is Akram, tries to go straight and actually enjoys his job working in a fast food restaurant, it seems that he can't escape villainy entirely. Also featured in the story are a tooth fairy who lives with Akram and King's Solomon's ring, which traditionally allowed its wearer to communicate with animals and now extends that power to mechanical devices as well. There's also an amusing bit where the other thirty-nine thieves wander through the world of stories seeking their boss, and end up messing up a whole lot of other fairy tales.

[Tim Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holt's work always starts out with great ideas. However, he seems to struggle to make the most of them. While the idea of stories leaking in to the real world is fun, though increasingly frequently used, Holt just does not distinguish the idea in this one.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great romp :-)

[Michael]

Tom was starting to hit his stride here, it seems.

[Robert Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though not the deepest of comedies, the humor is nonetheless clever and consistent, and Tom Holt's gleeful punches at formulaic storytelling will keep you warm and bright.

[Catsalive · Rating 3 out of 5]

An extremely silly story - intentionally sill, that is. I prefer Pratchett, but this kept me reasonably entertained.

Rated 6/10 at http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3....

[Anna Donkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so absurd and hilarious, I remember having to take breaks as a young person and hold my sides together to get through it.

[dmayr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny book! Rates as one of the best Tom Holt books I've ever read.