A book review, I hear you ask. Of someone else’s book, on your music site?
Well, yes. Because its a good one, and its by one of my favourite musicians, and because its one of the silliest and most magnificent things I’ve read this year. No, make it this decade.
The book of which I speak is “The Chronicles Of Don’t Be So Ridiculous Valley”, by Mr Mike Batt. Yes, he of The Wombles fame. And also Katie Melua, who wasn’t one of the people inside a Womble costume. Did you know that Steeleye Span once depped as Wombles on Top of the Pops? Wait, I’m digressing again aren’t I?
Don’t Be So Ridiculous!
Anyway. The Chronicles of Don’t Be So Ridiculous Valley is a story about a slug called Ergo who accidentally moves in with a married couple of fairies who own colour-co-ordinated helicopters. Dotty, the wife, has a younger sister who Ergo the slug falls in love with. But to make things more interesting, rather than waste time telling Little Else (the sister) how he feels, he starts a war! Not any old war either, but a war against the nasty pigfrogs, who…
Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out! Suffice to say, there is a satisfyingly happy ending. Two happy endings, in fact, because I found out earlier this week that Mike Batt had already shared part of the story on his website way back in 2000. Why does this make me so happy, I hear you ask? Because if someone that well known is allowed to take twenty years to find the right time and publisher for his novel, there’s hope for me yet!
Oh, I should tell you where you can buy the book, shouldn’t I. Here. You should definitely buy a copy. Or put it on your Christmas list. (Why am I so good at asking you to buy other people’s stuff and so uncomfortable saying “please buy my CDs?”)
So. Other excellent things… Its A4 sized, and hardbacked with a marvellous author’s bio on the back. Mine is signed and I got postcards with mine, but I ordered mine back in August so I think they might have been for early orders only. Here’s a picture of them, though…
This wasn’t really a book review, was it? I don’t know what it was. But I’m going to post it anyway.