How do you have sex when you make an elephant feel small?
Stephen, the most repulsive descendant of a bloke called Puke, finds himself in the company of some rather odd aliens who claim they can do the impossible - help him lose his virginity.
There's just one problem keeping sex and Stephen apart. No one who sees his mammoth member, be they man, woman, or [insert gender here], remains conscious. The mere sight of his astronomical appendage has everyone seeing stars.
It’s Stephen versus the Universe, with a cast of aliens, animals and the trusty Time Harley as they embark on a random quest of epic proportions across time and space to get his willy wet.
Oh, did I mention that the fate of the Universe depends on it?
Stephen Bash may be the ugliest bloke in the world, but it didn't take long for me to want to be on his cheer squad, waving the pompoms (with my shirt ON) to encourage him to save the Universe.
Mr Greathead's irreverent, fast-paced style is addictive, hilarious and quite quirky. I couldn't read this fast enough and, once I had, I wanted to read it again. Then buy copies for people for Christmas. In May.
The ending (which I won't spoil) left me with a lingering suspicion that the Universe's name is Brian.
I'm disappointed that Nona never did get the perfect pedicure, but I hope there will be a sequel where her toes sparkle properly.
I liked Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and its sequels, but this book takes the style further, where few men (or women) have ever been. If you had to pack The Guide as your guidebook, I highly recommend packing Stephen as your in-flight reading. He's well worth it.
Given a day or a book can still be perfect without a pedicure, Stephen definitely deserves a full five stars.