The Chronicles of Banarnia

Brentford #11

by Robert Rankin

LAST EXIT TO BRENTFORD Shamelessly entitled The Chronicles of Banarnia is the second and concluding part of the final Brentford trilogy. Of which The Lord of the Ring Roads was probably the first. Or not. Confused? Well, it's hardly surprising, is it? This is a Robert Rankin book. One in which... Brentford has been brought to ruination by a mighty supernatural storm. The "First Folk", those of the Faerie Kingdom, are rising to reclaim their planet from "Darwinian" Man (the Sons of the Simian). Driven beneath the surface of the world hundreds of years ago, after a battle fought upon the sacred soils of Brentford, they have returned to exact revenge upon their tormentors. And who is there to stand against this magical army? Well, there's a wizard, a giant and two blokes from down the Flying Swan. What can go wrong most certainly will. But in a way that will make it all worthwhile. So to speak. And such like. And now read on.....

Genres: Fantasy

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2019

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

[Will Macmillan Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far fetched fiction

Far fetched fiction at its best. Fun, full of running gags and familiar characters. For the aficionado rather than the new reader though.

[Nick Hazlewood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tour de Beer

Blimey a long tale from Mr Rankin that is worthy of being stretched out into 3 films too.
It's a journey book with an amazing story that actually sits quite well on its own and filled with new old and familiar characters and running gags.

Quite dark in places both in plot and literally but also crafted and very much a Robert Rankin Brentford classic.

[Steven Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stone cold bonkers and delightful with it

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as good as his earlier stuff but worth reading all the same

[Nathan Dehoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The follow-up to Lord of the Ring Roads continues the tale of fairies who had been driven underground by humans taking over Brentford. In this book, Jim Pooley and John Omally journey underground with Professor Slocombe and the monster-killing Goodwill Giant Julian Adams. After a visit to Soap Distant's subterranean bar, they come to the fairy city of Banarnia, where they're all kept distracted by the inhabitants. Meanwhile, above ground, the shopkeeper Norman, the barman Neville, and the seemingly deceased Old Pete plan to counter the fairy attack on their borough. P.P. Penrose, an author mentioned in numerous other Rankin books, actually appears here, and is confusingly said to have written his own versions of the Brentford novels, only with the names changed in silly and often insulting ways. There are also flying monkeys and an enormous squid. I did hope there might be a little more done with the title, which is addressed and acknowledged as a bad pun, but nothing really comes of it. I also have to say I've gotten kind of tired of jokes about straight guys being offended when someone suggests they're gay. I liked the use of some traditional British fairy lore, and Norman's inventions are also amusing. Here, he creates an implosive by holding the formula for dynamite up to a mirror.

[Nick Willson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The teller of tall tales strikes again

For those who follow Mr Rankin and his crazy world, another rollicking riot of raucousness.
Here's hoping it isn't the last of the Brentford adventures.

[Andrew Lawston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chronicles of Banarnia picks up more or less directly from where Lord of the Ring Roads ended, with a first chapter full of shameless exposition for anyone who hasn't read that preceding book. Full of fairies, giants, buffoons, and stone bonkers, the book is an absolute riot. Joyous fun!

[Mathew · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Lord of the Ring Roads" benefitted from suspense. "Normanghast" benefitted from action. This one really dragged. I don't think there was really enough story to stretch for an entire trilogy. But you know, humour, not as easy as it might at first appear.

[Alan Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A other quick and easy read from Mr Rankin.
Ending was a bit of a cop out, but entertainment nonetheless.

[A.B.Dixon]

Really enjoyed it. Need a new theme from Mr Rankin tho now.

[Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Brentford chronicles of Robert Rankin have been great fun overall, but the series is becoming a little tired as the various tropes involved are brought out once more. This is not unenjoyable by any means, but we have been here with these characters just a little too long. Still, Robert Ranking does have a genuinely fertile imagination and humour.

[David Robert Bloomer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Of all of Robert Rankin books, his Brentford ones for me are his best. This, hopefully not, final book is great toot. A lively story with plenty of plot lines to keep the story fun and engrossing. A really fun read.

[Sean Keefe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rereading, not as funny as its predecessor, but still tremendous fun!

[Nick Hazlewood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots going on and a slightly darker disconcerting book from Mr Rankin more akin to the original Brentford books. Brilliant inagary of the other worlds within world's type stuff... With beer...

[N Peet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Not his best but I always enjoy Rankin's Brentford trilogies, even those with only two parts.