I Robert

by Robert Rankin

THE TOOT, THE WHOLE TOOT AND NOTHING BUT THE TOOT. At last it can be told--the entire ludicrous, funny, touching, cock-eyed story. No holds barred, warts and all. The great big ups and the terrible downs. The whole kith and caboodle and the kitchen sink and things of that nature generally. One of the twentieth century's most original literary talents tells the tale of his life in his own unique style. And he swears on his honour that every word of it is true. Robert Rankin is the best selling author of more than forty books. Hailed as "The Father of Far-Fetched Fiction", he spent thirty-three years in mainstream publishing. His sales number in the millions and his books are sold around the world. He is the proud father of four sons and lives with his lovely wife Raygun, in a little painted house beside the sea in Brighton.

Genres: Autobiography

Unknown Binding

About the author

"When Robert Rankin embarked upon his writing career in the late 1970s, his ambition was to create an entirely new literary genre, which he named Far-Fetched Fiction. He reasoned that by doing this he could avoid competing with any other living author in any known genre and would be given his own special section in WH Smith."
(from Web Site Story)

Robert Rankin describes himself as a teller of tall tales, a fitting description, assuming that he isn't lying about it. From his early beginnings as a baby in 1949, Robert Rankin has grown into a tall man of some stature. Somewhere along the way he experimented in the writing of books, and found that he could do it rather well. Not being one to light his hide under a bushel, Mister Rankin continues to write fine novels of a humorous science-fictional nature.

Reviews

[Guy Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm lucky enough to call Robert my friend. Now ordinarily, I don't review books by people I know or work with, because it undermines any sense of objectivity that might otherwise be found in one's opinions. Love the book, you're buttering them up, hate it, and risk their tears. But I felt I had to give this a write up.

I met Robert at a convention in Ireland, I think it was 1998. For the next seven years or so, he and I hung out together at various events, always with plenty of booze, and a right old time was had. My move from journalism into writing fiction curtailed the number of such things I attended, and the birth of my son and the subsequent all-consuming task of raising him put paid to many long-standing associations, and more's the pity there. Yet recently, moved to introspection by the pandemic, I got in touch with Robert, and he sent me this book.

Robert is an astounding human being with an infectious zest for the unusual that makes him one of the greatest pub raconteurs of our age. Reading this book is very much like sitting down with him for several pints. He's had a fascinating life, full of Fortean happenings and tangential associations with the incredibly famous. He reveals much of it here, with both the joys and the woes told with unvarnished honesty. Half the book is pure reminiscence, the other half memories attached to the writing of each of his books. His art form has always been a semi-directed stream of consciousness, and this autobiography is no different, so that sometimes he skips over events or periods in his life almost coyly. But if those things would have been covered in a more conventional autobiography, it wouldn't have been anywhere near as entertaining as this is.

Covering events from the mundane to the bizarre, Robert's story is the sort that might well be embroidered in future years, elevating the man to the levels of occult mystery enjoyed by the Comte de Saint Germain or Aleister Crowley. I can just see him cropping up as a character in a novel dealing with mind-bending happenings twenty or thirty years from now. I'm sure he'd love that.

There's everything from ghosts to the state of modern publishing in here, a lot of joy, and a good deal of pain. Elements might seem a little far-fetched, but I was actually there for some of it, and can attest to at least a few of the events recounted. Definitely read it. He's a fascinating man.

[Jon Clynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary book by an extraordinary man! I thought I knew a little of Mr Rankin from his books and Facebook page. This was an refreshingly, almost uncomfortably frank and honest account of his life, influences and trials as an author and a human being. His battles with mental illness, alcohol and relationships are painful to read in places. His experiences often seem as bizarre and unlikely as those that befall the wonderful characters that spill onto the pages of his many books. I for one am ready to accept every word.
Clearly and obviously aimed at serious Robert Rankin fans, this book is an eye opener and has increased my affection and admiration for an excellent man (and for Raygun, his lovely wife).

[Jesper Koplev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only for fan boys, but I am one of those :-)

[Ross Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Robert Rankin for nearly a quarter of a century now. He is, by his own definition, the father of "Far Fetched Fiction". There's a wonderful eclectic nature to his books and that comes through in his autobiography. He's been honest in his emotions, the book is funny on places and poignant in others. There's a real sense of someone who has lived a full and interesting life and really isn't complaining about what he's been dealt. The chapters do show his life but are presented as a series of anecdotes, just a nice chap with a really interesting and funny bloke.

[Óli Sóleyjarson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ekki hefðbundinn sjálfsævisaga, sem er gott. Þetta eru allskonar sögur úr lífi Rankin. Þær eru frábærarar. Maður veit ekki hverju maður á að trúa af því að maðurinn á það til að spinna allskonar sögur. Síðan er það sem maður saknar oft úr ævisögum listamanna. Hann fer í gegnum nær allar bækur sínar og segir hvaðan hann fékk hugmyndirnar og hvernig líf hans var á þeim tíma.

[Andrew Wild-Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autobiographical meisterwerk

This self-published trip through the Master Of Far Fetched Fiction's life reads as easily as his multitude of novels. An entertaining insight into the life, works and thoughts of a true one-off. Matchless in his (self titled) genre, a truly enjoyable romp.

[jim rutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous read

I've long been a fan of Ranking despite my speech impediment. Being of West London roots the Brentford trilogy captured me and the rest as they say is history. I found this autobiography quite possibly the best I've ever read. To quote the old cliche I couldn't put it down. It made me laugh,it made me sad,it made me mutter "no way" under my breath.
Brilliant.

[Laurie]

Long time fan loves the book!

Great autobiography from one of my favorite crazy writers. I lived in London 1999-2003, and participated in a few Sproutlore events. I started with Armageddon, The Musical. Read it at lunch at work, and couldn't stop laughing. And I was hooked!
It isn't always easy to find the books in the US, so glad to know Robert is self publishing!

[robert beattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that explains a lot

Bought it by accident and ended up really enjoying it. I have always been a fan of his fiction so it should not really come as a surprise that he's easy to like. Well written, interesting and easy to read.

[Wayne Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only auto biography that I couldn't put down. ❤️

Recently got back into reading after many wasted years streaming films. We are of a similar age but his writing should appeal to all. In this moving book Robert exposes himself warts and all. 😉😊. Thank you Robert. Genius!

[Sharon Gough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written by a fantastic author

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to read a lot of Rankin's books back in the day, but not for a while since. Reading Roberts very enjoyable autobiography, which in places is a crazy as he's books, but in this case the crazy and surreal things really happened, I've rekindled (See what I did there!) my interest in his works and went from this straight to 'The Toyminator' which I am really enjoying. Welcome back Mr Rankin

[Angus Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cracking read by an author who has had a great positive influence on me. Ironically considering the relative scales of sales, I never really got into Terry Pratchett, however I really got into Robert Rankin, I have consumed all the books, the whole shebang, and been completely immersed by them all. The lads at the flying swan are my favourite characters, allotment golf being my favourite Robert Rankin memory.
I Robert is fascinating and a quality reward if you've read a lot of the books, and a nice trip through them.
Nice work as ever you fascinating dude.
Thanks for all the inward laughs, Gus Kennedy