The Day Uncle Jimmy Learned to Fly

by Pete Carter

Homorous science fiction for the young at heart, of all ages. Suggested age range 10-100. (Contains isolated instances of mild, inoffensive language: 'Damn', 'bloody.') Oops! When James Jones happened upon a planet that seemed to defy all logic, he had to take a closer look - too close, as it happened. He got stuck there, and things started to go seriously wrong. But never fear, after that bad start, things got decidedly worse.... Hernia bucked up as a tiny shred of memory bounced around the vast empty space inside her head, finally finding an escape through her mouth, 'I remember him! He was sleeping next to Dragon when we came back from Aunty Ethelred and he had dribble coming out the side of his mouth. Where's he gone then?' 'Pa kicked him in the river, and he drowned 'til he was dead and then the Globbers bit him into little pieces and he screamed and screamed and then a giant sea troll came along and ate up Uncle Jimmy and all the Globbers in one big bite.' That's what Kipper's imagination told him had happened, anyway, so it must be true. Imagination's great; when it gets into top gear there's no stopping it. 'Oh, ' said Hernia, duly impressed.

233 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 3, 2014

About the author

Pete has been writing as a hobby for some time, but only recently decided to publish. Leaning towards 'nuts and bolts' SF, he he has been an avid SF reader but also dips into military fiction, mystery and anything else that looks interesting.

He has just released his first novel 'The Fence' (the First Book of Jay) on Kindle (Dec. 2013), which was quickly followed by 'The Day Uncle Jimmy Learned to Fly'(Jan 2014). Next will be a compendium of short SF/Supernatural tales. The Second Book of Jay,(actually the first one written, in 1990, will be published after a very serious update.)

He also produces his own covers and illustrations, likes oil painting and model-making. He used to like flying model aircraft, but relax - the world is now a much safer place! Pete finds there aren't enough hours in the day to pursue all his interests.

Pete lives with his wife in Bedfordshire, UK, and their adult children and grandchildren live nearby.

Reviews

[Gary Henson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully quirky, charming tale, reminiscent of C.S. Lewis's strange and intriguing 'Out of the Silent Planet', but with a dry sense of humor I've come expect from Pete.
Mr. Carter's imagination unfolds in full force in this tale of a wayward space explorer stranded on a truly bizarre planet, while the snarky AI on his mother ship waits patiently for his return.
The more 'Uncle Jimmy' learns about the planet and it's inhabitants (loved the Ancestor Tree, Pete!) the more convinced he becomes that he will never understand this place or return to his orbiting ship.
This story is both fantastical in nature and chock full of SciFi 'what if' concepts. You'll bust a gusset trying to figure out if Mr. Carter's concepts for the planet and ... well, you'll see.
Have a blast turning the virtual pages of this delightful romp through Mr. Carter fevered imagination!
I'd suggest a plate of potato-skins and a iced bucket full of 1554 Black Larger beer.

[Aldus Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has an odd quirky entertaining mix of characters. Initially the story seems like a mixture of odd elements and it took time for me to really get a good feel for the world in which the action takes place. But, it was well worth a little patience because the details of the world and the explanation of everything that transpires is original and incorporates some fascinating ideas. The further I went into the book the better the story became and the more I wanted to know what would happen next. I am very pleased that I read The Day Uncle Jimmy Learned to Fly and recommend it.