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Preincarnate
Join Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, HG Wells, Queen Victoria, Jack the Ripper, and Tom Cruise as they unravel a Masonic plot to restore James II to the throne—and in the process, perhaps destroy the Universe itself Suppose you were murdered and woke up 300 years earlier in someone else's body. Wouldn't you put yourself in suspended animation and be re-awoken in time to prevent yourself being murdered in the first place? Australia's preeminent comic Renaissance man turns his genius to novel writing, producing an extraordinary tale of an ordinary man in a race against and across time. Soul transference, time travel, cloning, space ships, Hollywood, and the Loch Ness Monster all come together for the first time in one action-packed and beautifully typeset novel, perfect for fans of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett.
222 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2010
10 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Shaun Micallef
24 books58 followersShaun Micallef has starred in television, films, stage shows, radio and several books. He also has won four Logies, an ARIA and an AFI but, admirably, hasn’t let any of this go to his head.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
November 23, 2010
I love Shaun Micallef like a sugar daddy and while I desperately wanted to like this I just became more and more confused as the book progressed. He is a talented writer without doubt but his cleverness, nonsensical wit and scattered cultural references ultimately make Preincarnate a confused mess. Plus, as Tom Cruise so aptly puts in on page 149, 'the switching from Omniscient Narrator and First Person Narrator confuses me'. Certainly read it if you like Shaun and have a strong grasp of the idiosyncrasies involved with time travel but if you value plot and enjoy a book you can follow then this may not be for you.
February 22, 2011
Anarchic. Chaotic. Undisciplined. Yes, all those things and funny. It’s no real surprise as it’s pretty much a text based representation of what Shaun Micallef is like as a TV host… and he is this country’s best one by a long way. There are many things wrong with this book as you would expect from a ripping yarn school boy adventure, through time and space, with huge, undiluted dollops of acid and funny. In fact there are huge dollops of other things in there as well – like Blade Runner. He must be in the middle of an obsession because I notice that he is hosting his TV show sitting on a “Tyrell Corp.” chair at the moment. I do not recommend this book if you do not absolutely love Shaun’s sense of humour. I do, so it was fun.
February 12, 2017
Confusing, over-complicated, poorly executed and full of references to things I'm not familiar with. I had a hard time just working out what was going on and who the people involved were. I'm still not sure who the author character was or why he was involved at all, and the first-person sections seem utterly superfluous.
I think the story might have worked, as a story, if it just followed a single protagonist and kept to that person's subjective timeline rather than jumping back and forth through time and to different characters' perspectives. But it still wouldn't be funny.
The problem with the comedy, for me, is that it seems to have been written for television. I can imagine a lot of it being funny on TV, where you can see it happening, but I couldn't see it happening and so it wasn't funny.
And I expected to like this book. I've been a big fan of Micallef all the way from Full Frontal to Mad as Hell. I think he's hilarious and does incredible things with word-play, mixed metaphors, etc., things that seem like they'd transfer perfectly to the written word, but this book was more like tedious descriptions of low-tier Monty Python sketches.
I think the story might have worked, as a story, if it just followed a single protagonist and kept to that person's subjective timeline rather than jumping back and forth through time and to different characters' perspectives. But it still wouldn't be funny.
The problem with the comedy, for me, is that it seems to have been written for television. I can imagine a lot of it being funny on TV, where you can see it happening, but I couldn't see it happening and so it wasn't funny.
And I expected to like this book. I've been a big fan of Micallef all the way from Full Frontal to Mad as Hell. I think he's hilarious and does incredible things with word-play, mixed metaphors, etc., things that seem like they'd transfer perfectly to the written word, but this book was more like tedious descriptions of low-tier Monty Python sketches.
December 8, 2011
I really wanted to love this. I've adored Shaun Micallef for years. But it was a very disjointed book. I loved some bits of it. There were some bits that were laugh out loud funny, but it was a very confusing book in places. I did enjoy the previews for his next few books though.
I'll definately give him another try as he had some moments reminiscient of Douglas Adams and I think he could get better and better.
I'll definately give him another try as he had some moments reminiscient of Douglas Adams and I think he could get better and better.
October 21, 2012
When in Melbourne to see the Tutankhamen exhibit, I happened upon a bookstore in the throes of a closing-down sale. The carcass had been mostly picked clean by the time I got there, but I did manage to walk away with one bargain.
The first thing I want to say about Preincarnate is that, physically, it is exactly what you look for in a book. Nice, simple hardcover, with that lovely feel to it that only newish hardcovers seem to have. Bound bookmark. Ex Libris in the front. The fact that it's glue-bound but made to look stitch-bound is a slight disappointment, but hey - we can’t have everything.
The story itself is about a man who is murdered in 2005, only to be reincarnated back in 1657 in someone else’s body, and who subsequently tries to have himself preserved until such time as he can prevent his own murder from occurring in the first place. That sentence alone probably gives you some idea of how convoluted the storyline is, and this is even before you take into account the parts in intervening centuries, or the part on the spaceship in the future (no, seriously). This isn’t a serious attempt to grapple with the logical and metaphysical implications of time travel, as is often the case in sci-fi - but nor is it supposed to be. Micallef has basically just used the time travel/reincarnation structure so he can poke fun at sci-fi tropes, modern pop culture and historical fiction all in the one book.
And thankfully, this is exactly what Micallef does well. I know he doesn’t appeal to everyone but the man has a direct line to my funny bone - that perfect mixture of pop culture, high-mindedness, dry sarcasm and utter absurdity. I don’t want to give away any of the funny scenes but the exchanges between Micallef and his purported editor in the footnotes of several chapters are hilarious. I did get some rather strange looks, giggling away to myself on the train home from Melbourne, but - so worth it. If you like Micallef’s comedy on TV you’ll like it here - no two ways about it.
Now, admittedly, it does sag a bit in the middle, and the end is slightly anticlimactic, which I suppose are probably symptoms of the fact that this is Micallef’s first novel. The Tom Cruise jokes, too, seemed a little too trite, and while they would have been very topical when Micallef was writing it in the mid-00s, a mere year after publication they were very dated.
But overall it is a very funny book, and the contrivances of the plot are so well lampshaded with humour that it doesn’t really bother you. Definitely give it a look.
The first thing I want to say about Preincarnate is that, physically, it is exactly what you look for in a book. Nice, simple hardcover, with that lovely feel to it that only newish hardcovers seem to have. Bound bookmark. Ex Libris in the front. The fact that it's glue-bound but made to look stitch-bound is a slight disappointment, but hey - we can’t have everything.
The story itself is about a man who is murdered in 2005, only to be reincarnated back in 1657 in someone else’s body, and who subsequently tries to have himself preserved until such time as he can prevent his own murder from occurring in the first place. That sentence alone probably gives you some idea of how convoluted the storyline is, and this is even before you take into account the parts in intervening centuries, or the part on the spaceship in the future (no, seriously). This isn’t a serious attempt to grapple with the logical and metaphysical implications of time travel, as is often the case in sci-fi - but nor is it supposed to be. Micallef has basically just used the time travel/reincarnation structure so he can poke fun at sci-fi tropes, modern pop culture and historical fiction all in the one book.
And thankfully, this is exactly what Micallef does well. I know he doesn’t appeal to everyone but the man has a direct line to my funny bone - that perfect mixture of pop culture, high-mindedness, dry sarcasm and utter absurdity. I don’t want to give away any of the funny scenes but the exchanges between Micallef and his purported editor in the footnotes of several chapters are hilarious. I did get some rather strange looks, giggling away to myself on the train home from Melbourne, but - so worth it. If you like Micallef’s comedy on TV you’ll like it here - no two ways about it.
Now, admittedly, it does sag a bit in the middle, and the end is slightly anticlimactic, which I suppose are probably symptoms of the fact that this is Micallef’s first novel. The Tom Cruise jokes, too, seemed a little too trite, and while they would have been very topical when Micallef was writing it in the mid-00s, a mere year after publication they were very dated.
But overall it is a very funny book, and the contrivances of the plot are so well lampshaded with humour that it doesn’t really bother you. Definitely give it a look.
March 29, 2011
This is just a scream. The perfect little palate cleanser between weightier tomes. A hilarious debut from one of our finest comic geniuses. It's laugh out loud and very him. The plot makes not an iota of sense, but why should we expect it to? It wildly veers from the surreal to the insane to the decidedly Blytonesque - often within the space of a sentence. Special cheers to the random Tom Cruise, Dan Brown and Matthew Reilly gags. Sheer silliness and I can't wait for his next one.
March 19, 2020
The perfect book: full of meta-absurdism, humo(u)r, time travel and made up stuff.
Shaun has really wordsmith'd the hell outta this.
I enjoyed it so much that if I ever learn how to travel back in time I would write it myself if not for my lack of talent, laziness, my knowledge of the ctrl'A' ctrl'C' ctrl'V' commands and the saying that if something has been done perfectly once (even if it's in the future that you are from) then why do it again.
Eagerly awaiting the sequel 'RePreincarnate'.
Shaun has really wordsmith'd the hell outta this.
I enjoyed it so much that if I ever learn how to travel back in time I would write it myself if not for my lack of talent, laziness, my knowledge of the ctrl'A' ctrl'C' ctrl'V' commands and the saying that if something has been done perfectly once (even if it's in the future that you are from) then why do it again.
Eagerly awaiting the sequel 'RePreincarnate'.
October 1, 2019
A fun romp that doesn't take itself too seriously (nor should you, but it would be asking too much for a sensible ending to the chaotic tale, in my view), an intentionally surreal book with Micallef's fun tone and surprising variety of metagags (it's not just all fourth wall breaks). The illustrations peppered through the book are a lovely touch as well.
March 18, 2025
What if you were murdered, then woke up in someone else’s body 300 years earlier?what would you do? How to unpack this mystery? How to make things right?
A fun idea, and lots of Micallefs pithy language and oddball humour.
Unfortunately one gets lost in the individual sentences and the overall story suffers.
A fun idea, and lots of Micallefs pithy language and oddball humour.
Unfortunately one gets lost in the individual sentences and the overall story suffers.
March 28, 2025
Well that was a hot mess
July 13, 2011
It was very clear from the first page of this book that it was Micallef who wrote this and kudos for him for having such a clear style. However, I got horrendously lost and confused by the plot. This may have been my fault for reading this at the airport at 3am, but I felt like it didn't make too much sense and then ended suddenly and I'm not sure what happened. Still I think people who like other things Micallef has done will enjoy this.
March 13, 2015
Quite a likeable easy rolling story with some smoothly, simply executed complex time travel mechanics, and some hillarious historical and pop culture references. My only gripe is that he broke the 4th wall a little much, many times to limited comedic effect. The removal of several of these references to the writing process would have given me more of an immersive experience.
May 13, 2017
It was a very weird and confusing book. I enjoyed it because it shows Shaun Micallef's humour and you really have to be a fan to like this book. The switch between third and first person is what will confuse you the most but that what makes you want to read more. The ending will blow your mind.
July 27, 2011
Having thoroughly enjoyed Shaun as a presenter on TV, I jumped at the chance to buy this book.
What a disappointment. I found it merely a jumble with no cohesive storyline, some silly footnotes, and a lack of any real humour. I would have a hard time recommending this book to anyone.
What a disappointment. I found it merely a jumble with no cohesive storyline, some silly footnotes, and a lack of any real humour. I would have a hard time recommending this book to anyone.
November 30, 2010
Completely baffling at times, but hilarious from the first pages all the way until the little previews of upcoming books at the end.
March 5, 2011
Clever postmodern novel with typical Micallef humour. Reminicent of Douglas Adams. An enjoyable ride!
November 19, 2012
Boring. I couldn't get into the book. It seemed too concentrate on being too clever rather than the whole story.
February 9, 2019
Summary:
Preincarnate is a twisty time travelly paradoxical kind of novel, and that's about all I can tell you without giving away major plot points! Featuring HG Wells, Arthur Conan Doyle and Oliver Cromwell, it's a fun time! Forewarning: I have no idea how to review and rate this novel!
Characters 3/5:
The characters aren't - and also are? - really the point of this novel. No particular character stood out to me, and it's all just a little bit of a mess, but intentionally? I don't know!
Setting and atmosphere 3.5/5:
This book doesn't spend a lot of time world-building, but the humor works wonders in its own special way.
Plot 4.5/5:
Super confusing, but also really enjoyable?
Writing Style 4/5:
Pretty hilarious, but also confusing, and also enjoyable?
Bonus points:
Enjoyment 5/5:
I really enjoyed my timing reading this, but I have no idea why on an objective level other than that it was funny, and the right kind of humor for me. Characters? Didn't care for anyone in particular. Setting? Not that developed. Plot? Twisty and confusing as all hell! But are all these things funny in a way that tickles my funny bone? ABSOLUTELY.
Preincarnate is a twisty time travelly paradoxical kind of novel, and that's about all I can tell you without giving away major plot points! Featuring HG Wells, Arthur Conan Doyle and Oliver Cromwell, it's a fun time! Forewarning: I have no idea how to review and rate this novel!
Characters 3/5:
The characters aren't - and also are? - really the point of this novel. No particular character stood out to me, and it's all just a little bit of a mess, but intentionally? I don't know!
Setting and atmosphere 3.5/5:
This book doesn't spend a lot of time world-building, but the humor works wonders in its own special way.
Plot 4.5/5:
Super confusing, but also really enjoyable?
Writing Style 4/5:
Pretty hilarious, but also confusing, and also enjoyable?
Bonus points:
Enjoyment 5/5:
I really enjoyed my timing reading this, but I have no idea why on an objective level other than that it was funny, and the right kind of humor for me. Characters? Didn't care for anyone in particular. Setting? Not that developed. Plot? Twisty and confusing as all hell! But are all these things funny in a way that tickles my funny bone? ABSOLUTELY.
June 14, 2017
This is seriously out there, but would you expect anything else from Shaun Micallef? He's just a bit out there himself, so I just went with the ride.
Typically surreal and full of ridiculous twists and turns - it is wonderfully hilarious, at times, and at times unstructured. I can imagine this may put some off, but this is satirical, and completely silly, (I mean Arthur Conan Doyle and Tom Cruise in the same novel) so just go with it.
Typically surreal and full of ridiculous twists and turns - it is wonderfully hilarious, at times, and at times unstructured. I can imagine this may put some off, but this is satirical, and completely silly, (I mean Arthur Conan Doyle and Tom Cruise in the same novel) so just go with it.
August 5, 2020
Strange. A bit Douglas Adamsy. A lot Lewis Carrolly. Entirely good fun. Coerce your friends into reading it at the same time so you can compete at being most or least confused by the plot.
Goes well with anything, but make sure it’s nonalcoholic because this kind of absurdism is best enjoyed sober.
Goes well with anything, but make sure it’s nonalcoholic because this kind of absurdism is best enjoyed sober.
Read
February 8, 2025The same frantic pace as Mad as Hell! An astonishing cast of characters and a madcap time slip. Tom Cruise, Oliver Cromwell, H G Wells, Loch Ness Monster, Roswell and many others appear. I think that the reader would would need to have to have watched MAH to understand the narrator's style. Impossible to rate, but I enjoyed the ride (I think 😏).
July 5, 2025
Not sure what just happened. I digested this book as an audio book and enjoyed the quirky way the author read his work. The book itself? Erm … very confusing, zany, totally bonkers really. Would I recommend it? Not if you like to understand what’s going on. If you enjoy Monty Pythonesque humour this might be right up your street.
March 16, 2023
My first experience of written Micallef, one of my favourite Aussie TV comedy writers/performers. Was a little confusing getting into the headspace of changing narration and timelines, but as the story unfolded it becames less of a task. The Tom Cruise cameo alone made it more than worth it.
Read
September 5, 2020Did not get into. Not my style of thing.
Read
January 30, 2021Classic Micallaf - written as though he was reading it - if you get my drift.
October 20, 2024
A clever and funny page-turner I devoured in 2 sittings.
February 28, 2025
This is the dumbest thing I have ever read. 10/10
May 1, 2025
Imagine if the birthrate overtook the available souls, what would happen?
March 7, 2011
This is Shaun Micallef’s (The Leading Australian Comedian of the Entire Cosmos) first novella, linking such matters as Jack the Ripper, Tom Cruise, time travel, Freemasons, space travel and Matthew Reilly all together in one reasonable size book. It is not for the faint hearted, nor those who simply don’t ‘get’ Micallef. (I’m not talking about Talking About Your Generation but if you simply do not see the wisdom of David McGahan’s world around him, Dr Miracle and futility of Panadol now Panadol Rapid is available, you don’t need this book. You probably would prefer Dave Hughes or Good News Week).
Preincarnate is based on the past, present and future all at once in some sort of time continuum, which may be linked to Buddhism, Dr Who or none of the above. We have poor Alexander Pruitt who is repeatedly sucked into a time ripple and his attempted saviour who is probably the Rector of St Ives. The Rector travels to an ossuary in Paris, meets Tom Cruise in LA and tries to stop the evil Doctor Moray. Doctor Moray is involved with Oliver and Richard Cromwell, Queen Victoria, HG Wells and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, to name a few. Will Alexander be removed to a single time period? What about the mysterious Una?
Take Preincarnate as it presents and try not to overanalyse. I think this is a book that would benefit from a second read (just in case you missed the badgers). The illustrations remind me of something out of a UK Magazine Annual and definitely add to the book pages (okay, and a moment to ponder). Shaun Micallef is a very witty writer and I can’t wait to see his next book. If you simply can’t finish this book, please at least read the back pages of Suggested Reading and Future Titles – these are hilarious. (Ancient Map Folding or Gas Pressure Readings in Adelaide, June –July 1934 anyone?)
Preincarnate is based on the past, present and future all at once in some sort of time continuum, which may be linked to Buddhism, Dr Who or none of the above. We have poor Alexander Pruitt who is repeatedly sucked into a time ripple and his attempted saviour who is probably the Rector of St Ives. The Rector travels to an ossuary in Paris, meets Tom Cruise in LA and tries to stop the evil Doctor Moray. Doctor Moray is involved with Oliver and Richard Cromwell, Queen Victoria, HG Wells and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, to name a few. Will Alexander be removed to a single time period? What about the mysterious Una?
Take Preincarnate as it presents and try not to overanalyse. I think this is a book that would benefit from a second read (just in case you missed the badgers). The illustrations remind me of something out of a UK Magazine Annual and definitely add to the book pages (okay, and a moment to ponder). Shaun Micallef is a very witty writer and I can’t wait to see his next book. If you simply can’t finish this book, please at least read the back pages of Suggested Reading and Future Titles – these are hilarious. (Ancient Map Folding or Gas Pressure Readings in Adelaide, June –July 1934 anyone?)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews