The Antipope

The Antipope is the first novel in Robert Rankin's Brentford Trilogy, which has expanded to include ten books. Set in the London suburb of Brentford, the story centers on two friends, Jim Pooley and John Omally, who spend their days avoiding work and frequenting the local pub. The plot follows Pooley and Omally as they discover a sinister force threatening their beloved Brentford. A mysterious figure has arrived in town with dark intentions, and the two friends must put aside their usual pursuits to confront this supernatural menace. The novel combines elements of fantasy, horror, and British humor while incorporating historical and occult references. The cast includes an eccentric collection of Brentford locals, including a mysterious professor, a part-time barman, and various colorful regulars at the Flying Swan pub. This debut novel established Rankin's signature style of blending the mundane with the fantastic, creating a unique subcategory he dubbed "Far Fetched Fiction." The book explores themes of friendship and local community in the face of cosmic threats, while maintaining a distinctly British perspective on the supernatural.

Readers describe The Antipope as an absurdist comedy that blends British humor with supernatural elements. Many compare it to Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, though note it's more uneven and raw. Readers liked: - The strange, eccentric characters - Clever wordplay and running jokes - Mix of mythology and modern-day settings - Dark humor and surreal situations Common criticisms: - Plot meanders and loses focus - Humor feels forced at times - Characters lack depth - Writing style needs polish Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (280+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Fun but chaotic - like Pratchett without the tight plotting" - Goodreads reviewer "The jokes don't always land but the weirdness keeps you reading" - Amazon reviewer "A flawed but entertaining first novel showing promise" - LibraryThing reviewer Most readers view it as an imperfect but amusing start to the Brentford series.

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🌟 The pub featured in the story, The Flying Swan, was inspired by a real Brentford establishment called The Royal Oak, which has since been demolished. 🌟 Robert Rankin originally wrote The Antipope as a serious horror novel, but rewrote it as a comedy after receiving feedback from publishers. 🌟 Brentford, where the story is set, became so associated with Rankin's works that fans often make pilgrimages to the suburb, despite many of the locations being fictional. 🌟 The novel was first published in 1981 and launched what became known as the Brentford Trilogy, which ironically grew to nine books. 🌟 The character of Professor Slocombe was partly inspired by occultist Aleister Crowley, who actually lived in Brentford for a brief period in the early 20th century.