We have all read a book and said something like, "Well I died laughing." Well read Snuff Fiction and you will. Not because its incredibly funny but because every 200,000th book has been dipped in a special poison that soaks into the skin, causing death by the last page. That isn't true. Or is it. But that was an idea given to Robert Rankin once, which he used to great effect in The Dance of the Voodoo Handbag. So it wasn't to be long before a book came out with the title Snuff Fiction. And here it is. The Life of The Doveston as seen through the eyes of Robert Rankin. Rankin, or Edwin as The Doveston likes to call him, has been hired from a young age to write the life story of the man who is to become the Sultan of Snuff. Tobacco has made a comeback and people are shoving Snuff back up their noses and smoking Doveston's Exclusive Brentford Reserve Stock Cigarettes, which seem to be going down a bomb at Brenstock, a rock concert during the summer of free love. Edwin's life is not easy, pulling a plug out so he could plug in a kettle was not a good idea. Especially when it was the plug for the amplifiers at the rock concert. So Edwin gets used to having a few beatings. And a couple of spells in prison. So his loving for the Doveston almost turns to loathing, but the Doveston being a wealthy man, makes sure Edwin has enough money to not want to leave his service. Rankin has done it again and released a book that has everything. You get a feel for the changing times in Brentford from the early 50's to the Millennium Party to end them all. You'll have to read this one a couple of times, as you'll be laughing so much you'll miss stuff! And try not to read it on a bus. People will wonder who the nutter is laughing to himself. Reviewed by David V.Baker | 
