National Cake Day in Ruritania, by Mark P. Henderson: #BookReview.

On By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, opinion, Reading, Review

362 pages
Satire Fiction/General Humorous Fiction/Humour

Humour is so personal. What makes one person laugh can make another frown or fail to respond at all. I’ve no wish to put readers off, but this book, included in the ‘humour’ genre, didn’t tickle my laughter muscles, I’m afraid. That doesn’t mean it will fail to stimulate yours.

It’s a very clever story, almost too clever in places, leaning toward the absurd. There are echoes of Monty Python here, and references that hint at a Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass influence.

It is well written, satirical and sometimes bizarre. And those who enjoy solving puzzles during their reading will find plenty to engage those particular skills. It just wasn’t for me.

[Any review is a personal opinion. No reviewer can represent the view of anyone else. The best we can manage is an honest reaction to any given book.]

5 thoughts on “National Cake Day in Ruritania, by Mark P. Henderson: #BookReview.”

  1. I admire you for sticking with it even though it wasn’t for you. I find I have no patience for it these days, myself. I leave a trail of unread books behind me, never to be reviewed! I guess I’d rather concentrate on what strikes a personal cord. Doesn’t sound like this book is for me, either. I’m not much of a Monty Python fan, either.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Michelle. I was a Python fan in their early days, though the show was always patchy, and I enjoyed a couple of their later films. But it’s a type of humour that doesn’t travel well to other forms, and that was one of the problems for me in this book. I like to give books a good chance, and I stuck with this one in the hope I’d ‘click’ with it, but that never happened. Neverless, for some readers, this will be absolute heaven. Such is the variety of readers and writers, fortunately.

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  2. Sounds like there may be a generation that may enjoy this book but it doesn’t sound like it would be one I would enjoy either. I have found those who find Monty Python funny are a different sort of creature. This is not a negative statement at all, just what has been my experience. Well written review Stuart.

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    1. Spot on, Joni. I think it may appeal to certain parts of my generation. But it’s a type of humour that’s never reached me. I admire the skill, but there’s nothing there to engage with me. Horses for courses, eh?

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      1. You have a great sense of humor my friend. There are many people who love that humor but I can’t sit through one of those types of shows. I guess we just aren’t in that generation my friend.
        Hugs to you two. Hopefully we will have a new President in a few days. Yea!! 🎉🎉

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