Expecting Someone Taller

Malcolm Fisher's ordinary life changes when he accidentally inherits the Ring of the Nibelung and the Tarnhelm, making him the unexpected ruler of the world. The items come into his possession after a strange encounter with a badger who turns out to be more than he appears. Set in contemporary England, this comic fantasy novel draws on Wagner's opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen, bringing ancient Norse mythology into the modern world. Fisher must navigate encounters with gods, magical beings, and other interested parties who want to claim these powerful artifacts for themselves. This debut novel by Tom Holt combines elements of classical mythology with British humor, exploring themes of power, responsibility, and the challenges of dealing with unexpected greatness. The story examines how an everyday person might handle suddenly becoming the most powerful being on Earth.

Readers describe this as a light, humorous fantasy that puts a modern spin on Wagner's Ring Cycle. Many note it works well as an introduction to Tom Holt's style. Readers appreciated: - The blend of mythology with contemporary British humor - Fast-paced plot that doesn't require knowledge of Wagner - Clear writing style and short length - The mundane reactions to magical events Common criticisms: - Humor feels dated or "too British" for some - Character development lacks depth - Plot becomes meandering in the middle - Ending feels rushed Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (50+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.6/5 (100+ ratings) "A fun romp through Norse mythology with a distinctly Douglas Adams feel," noted one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reviewer countered: "The premise is stronger than the execution - it runs out of steam halfway through."

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🔸 The Ring Cycle, which inspired this book, was composed by Richard Wagner between 1848 and 1874, taking an astounding 26 years to complete. 🔸 Tom Holt wrote his first book at age 13 and published his first adult novel, "Poems By Thirteen-Year-Olds," while still a teenager at Oxford University. 🔸 The magical artifacts in the book are based on the legendary Ring of the Nibelung and Tarnhelm from Norse mythology, which grant their wielder dominion over the world and the ability to change shape. 🔸 Norse mythology's influence on modern literature extends far beyond this novel, inspiring works from Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" to Marvel's Thor comics and movies. 🔸 The book's comedic style follows in the tradition of British humor authors like Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, who similarly blended fantasy elements with contemporary settings.