Nostradamus Ate My Hamster

Nostradamus Ate My Hamster combines time travel, conspiracy, and Nazi filmmaking in an absurdist science fiction tale. Russell Nice, a movie prop shop employee, discovers futuristic holographic technology that can create perfect replicas of film stars. The narrative follows Russell's journey through time as he becomes caught in a web of schemes involving Hitler, an insect-faced demon-god, and a mysterious film project. The story connects to Rankin's broader Brentford universe while standing as its own distinct adventure. The plot interweaves elements of science fiction technology, alternate history, and supernatural forces as Russell works to prevent a world-altering cinematic event. His mission takes him through various time periods and puts him in contact with an array of historical and fictional characters. This novel explores themes of media manipulation, the power of cinema to shape reality, and the ways in which history can be altered by those who control the narrative.

Reader reviews describe this as an absurdist sci-fi comedy that amuses some but frustrates others. Readers highlighted the puns, running jokes about Elvis, and bizarre plot tangents. Multiple reviews note the "distinctly British" humor style. One reader called it "Douglas Adams meets Monty Python." Common criticisms include the chaotic storyline being hard to follow, jokes that go on too long, and a writing style that becomes repetitive. Several readers mentioned giving up partway through due to the random plot direction. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.79/5 (1,124 ratings) Amazon UK: 3.9/5 (31 ratings) Amazon US: 3.5/5 (12 ratings) Reviews vary significantly, with 5-star reviews praising its "delightful absurdity" while 1-star reviews call it "trying too hard to be clever." Multiple readers noted it works better when "not taken seriously" and "read in small doses."

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🎬 Robert Rankin has written over 30 novels in his signature "Far-Fetched Fiction" style, developing a cult following for his blend of science fiction and surreal humor. 🎭 The title references the famous 16th-century prophet Nostradamus, but playfully subverts expectations by incorporating him into a completely unexpected sci-fi narrative. 🎯 The holographic technology concept in the book preceded mainstream discussions about "deepfake" technology by nearly two decades, making it surprisingly prescient. 🎪 Rankin's works, including this novel, often incorporate elements of "sprout lore" - a running joke about Brussels sprouts being alien artifacts that appears across his books. 🎨 The book's setting in the film industry was inspired by Rankin's early career working as a graphic artist in the movie business before becoming a full-time writer.