The Brightonomicon is a novel by British

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 Fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...

 author Robert Rankin

Robert Rankin

Robert Fleming Rankin is a prolific British humorous novelist. Born in Parsons Green, London, he started writing in the late 1970s, and first entered the bestsellers lists with Snuff Fiction in 1999, by which time his previous eighteen books had sold around one million copies...

, the title parodying that of the fictional grimoire the Necronomicon

Necronomicon

The Necronomicon is a fictional grimoire appearing in the stories by horror writer H. P. Lovecraft and his followers. It was first mentioned in Lovecraft's 1924 short story "The Hound", written in 1922, though its purported author, the "Mad Arab" Abdul Alhazred, had been quoted a year earlier in...

 from the Cthulhu Mythos

Cthulhu Mythos

The Cthulhu Mythos is a shared fictional universe, based on the work of American horror writer H. P. Lovecraft.The term was first coined by August Derleth, a contemporary correspondent of Lovecraft, who used the name of the creature Cthulhu - a central figure in Lovecraft literature and the focus...

. The author lives in Brighton and the book is set in an accurate depiction of the city. The book is based on "The Brighton Zodiac", a map consisting of carriageway constellations found in the city of Brighton and Hove, similar to the landscape zodiac

Landscape zodiac

A landscape zodiac is a map of the stars on a gigantic scale, formed by features in the landscape, such as roads, streams and field boundaries. Perhaps the best known alleged example is the Glastonbury Temple of the Stars, situated around Glastonbury in Somerset, England...

s of Glastonbury and Kingston. The new (2010) edition features a new cover design and internal illustrations by Rankin himself, who studied at the Ealing School of Art and worked briefly as an illustrator in the 1970s.

Synopsis

The novel

Novel

A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....

 is set in Brighton

Brighton

Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...

, and concerns the grand high magus Hugo Rune

Hugo Rune

Hugo Rune, full name Hugo Artemis Solon Saturnicus Reginald Arthur Rune, is a fictional character appearing in several of Robert Rankin's novels, generally being portrayed as a kind of anti-hero, possessing a fundamentally good character with various assorted eccentricities.-Rune's Origins:Rune's...

 (AKA The Reinventor of the Ocarina

Ocarina

The ocarina is an ancient flute-like wind instrument. Variations do exist, but a typical ocarina is an enclosed space with four to twelve finger holes and a mouthpiece that projects from the body...

, the Mumbo Gumshoe, the Hokus Bloke, the Cosmic Dick, the Guru's Guru, the Perfect Master, the Lad Himself) and his quest to solve the mystery of the Brighton zodiac

Landscape zodiac

A landscape zodiac is a map of the stars on a gigantic scale, formed by features in the landscape, such as roads, streams and field boundaries. Perhaps the best known alleged example is the Glastonbury Temple of the Stars, situated around Glastonbury in Somerset, England...

, with the aid of his amnesia

Amnesia

Amnesia is a condition in which one's memory is lost. The causes of amnesia have traditionally been divided into categories. Memory appears to be stored in several parts of the limbic system of the brain, and any condition that interferes with the function of this system can cause amnesia...

 struck assistant, Rizla (revealed at the conclusion of the novel to be Jim Pooley

Jim Pooley

James Arbuthnot Pooley is a fictional character in The Brentford Trilogy written by fantasy/humour writer Robert Rankin. Jim tends to avoid regular employment, preferring to make his living by his wits and constantly seeking to make the perfect bet on racehorses that will give him all the wealth...

 of The Brentford Trilogy

The Brentford Trilogy

The Brentford Trilogy is a series of eight novels by writer Robert Rankin. They humorously chronicle the lives of a couple of drunken middle-aged layabouts, Jim Pooley and John Omally, who confront the forces of darkness in the environs of West London, usually with the assistance of large...

).

The following cases are featured:-

Case	Description	Connection
The Hound of the Hangletons	Hugo Rune and the amnesiac Rizla are hired to investigate a strange lost dog, and Rune reveals to Rizla the secret of the Chronovision, a television that allows the user to witness any event in history	The lost dog of the original case
The Curious Case of the Centenary Centaur	While attending a lecture on the size of the universe with Hugo Rune, Rizla is captured by a group of demented doctors seeking to dissect him for organ transplants, and a centaur Centaur In Greek mythology, a centaur or hippocentaur is a member of a composite race of creatures, part human and part horse...  is unleashed	A centaur appears from a fairy mound
The Monstrous Mystery of the Moulescomb Crab	A conversation with a bog troll about his dead brother leads to Rizla and Rune learning of a terrible plot by the Secret Government to bring down the Royal Family with the aid of a group of space crabs	The crabs originate from a distant nebula
The Lark of the Lansdowne Lioness	When a statue of Queen Victoria begins to cry tears of real Earl Grey Tea Earl Grey tea Earl Grey tea is a tea blend with a distinctive flavour and aroma derived from the addition of oil extracted from the rind of the bergamot orange, a fragrant citrus fruit.... , Rune alone knows that a nightmare from the past is about to be unleashed	The 'Lioness' is Queen Victoria, who according to Rune was the reincarnation of King Richard the Lionheart
The Curious Case of the Woodingdean Chameleon	With Rune away on business, it is up to Rizla to avert an assassination attempt at a game of croquet Croquet Croquet is a lawn game, played both as a recreational pastime and as a competitive sport. It involves hitting plastic or wooden balls with a mallet through hoops embedded into the grass playing court.-History:...  while posing as fictional private detective Lazlo Woodbine Lazlo Woodbine Lazlo Woodbine is a fictional character in some of Robert Rankin's novels - generally portrayed as a metafictional character, being in the novels themselves the creation of mystery writer P.P...	Rizla initially believes that the case refers to Count Otto Black in disguise at the Withdean Stadium- identified as 'Woodingdean' by a barman by accident-, but Rune later claims that it referred to him (Continuing the running gag of Lazlo Woodbine's name being mispronounced)
The Scintillating Story of the Sackville Scavenger	Attending the opening of a nudist theme restaurant with Rune (All other Brighton restaurants no longer accepting Rune's presence), Rizla is shocked to witness a group of dead rock stars dining with them	The scavenger is Robert Johnson, who aided the world around him with his music
The Fantastic Adventure of the Foredown Man	While attending a garden party, Rizla witnesses the apparent murder of Lord Jeffrey - despite the fact that the man in question vanished over a hundred years earlier - and his various relatives subsequently begin to die in various horrible manners	Lord Jeffrey was the forefather of the others
The Baffling Business of the Bevendean Bat	Reports of lost cats in the Bevendean area, coupled with radioactive doves Doves Doves are an English alternative indie rock band, originating from Wilmslow, Cheshire. The band comprises brothers Jez Williams and Andy Williams , and Jimi Goodwin . The members started working seriously together after meeting at The Haçienda in Manchester. Doves' unofficial fourth member is... , multiple roaring animals at regular intervals, and an encounter with an exploding uniped in the bar The Really Small Atlantean, lead to a confrontation between Rune and the evil Count Otto Black about a modern-day version of Noah's Ark Noah's Ark Noah's Ark is a vessel appearing in the Book of Genesis and the Quran . These narratives describe the construction of the ark by Noah at God's command to save himself, his family, and the world's animals from the worldwide deluge of the Great Flood.In the narrative of the ark, God sees the...	The bar's true name is the Bevendean Bathyscape
The Sensational Sage of the Saltdean Stallion	While at a party in Lewes, Rune is apparently killed as a sacrifice to reveal the location of the Chronovision, leaving Rizla to escape Count Otto Black’s followers with the aid of an urban legend	The 'Stallion' is Norris Styver, who became trapped in Lewes's complicated street system and could not escape
The Birdman of Whitehawk	The Chronovision now recovered after a trip into the Forbidden Zones, Rune and Rizla must tackle the mysterious apparitions that plague their current host	The Birdman is an Indian chief who provides Rune and Rizla with accommodation
The Wiseman of Withdean	Rizla is forced to disguise himself as a woman as he and Rune search for the last descendant of Jesus Christ at a Heavy Metal concert	The Wiseman is Lord Tobes, the last descendant of Jesus
The Concluding Chaotic Conundrum of the Coldean Cat	Their forces gathered, Rune and Rizla prepare for the final confrontation with Count Otto Black and for their final parting after a long year of adventures	Coldean is Tobes' recently-lost cat

Audio & Radio

The book was adapted into a 13 part full-cast audio drama in 2008 by Hokus Bloke Productions and BBC Audiobooks, starring Andy Serkis

Andy Serkis

Andrew Clement G. "Andy" Serkis is an English actor, director and author. He is popularly known for playing Gollum in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, for which he earned several award nominations, including the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Two Towers...

, Jason Isaacs

Jason Isaacs

Jason Isaacs is an English actor born in Liverpool, who is best known for his performance as the villain Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, the brutal Colonel William Tavington in The Patriot and as lifelong criminal Michael Caffee in the internationally broadcast American television series...

, Martin Jarvis, Mark Wing-Davey

Mark Wing-Davey

Mark Wing-Davey is a British actor and director.-Early life and career:The son of actor and actress Peter Davey and Anna Wing, Wing-Davey went to school at Woolverstone Hall School, before studying at Cambridge University where he was a member of the Footlights from 1967 to 1970.He had a featured...

, Sarah Douglas

Sarah Douglas

Sarah Douglas is an English actress. She is perhaps best known for playing the Kryptonian supervillain Ursa in the first two Superman movies , and for her role as Pamela Lynch in the 1980s primetime drama series Falcon Crest .-Early life:Douglas was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, the...

, Ben Miller

Ben Miller

Bennet Evan "Ben" Miller is an English comedian, actor and director. He is perhaps best known as one half of comedy double act Armstrong and Miller, along with Alexander Armstrong. Together the pair wrote and starred in Channel 4 sketch show Armstrong and Miller, and the more recent BBC television...

 and Michael Fenton Stevens

Michael Fenton Stevens

Michael Fenton Stevens , sometimes credited as Michael Fenton-Stevens, is a UK actor and comedian, a founder member of The Hee Bee Gee Bees and the voice behind the Spitting Image 1986 number 1 hit "The Chicken Song"...

, along with co-Executive Producers David Warner

David Warner (actor)

David Warner is an English actor who is known for playing both romantic leads and sinister or villainous characters, both in film and animation...

 and Rupert Degas

Rupert Degas

Rupert Joel Degas is an English actor and voice artist.- Early life:Degas was born in London, the son of screenwriter Brian Degas and television presenter Maggie Clews, whose marriage ended in divorce when he was eight...

.

The audio series was re-edited into 28-minute, 30-second episodes which was broadcast on the BBC digital and online radio station BBC7.
The 13 half-hour episodes were originally broadcast at 18:30 UK Time (with a 00:30 repeat) on Saturdays from 23 August 2008 to 15 November 2008, with each episode being available on the BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer, commonly shortened to iPlayer, is an internet television and radio service, developed by the BBC to extend its former RealPlayer-based and other streamed video clip content to include whole TV shows....

 for six days after broadcast. The series has been repeated a number of times subsequently. It won eZine

Online magazine

An online magazine shares some features with a blog and also with online newspapers, but can usually be distinguished by its approach to editorial control...

 The Hubs 2008 Award for "Best Comedy (Audio)".

Full Audio Cast

Role	Actor	Role	Actor
Hugo Rune	David Warner David Warner (actor) David Warner is an English actor who is known for playing both romantic leads and sinister or villainous characters, both in film and animation...	Rizla & Others	Rupert Degas Rupert Degas Rupert Joel Degas is an English actor and voice artist.- Early life:Degas was born in London, the son of screenwriter Brian Degas and television presenter Maggie Clews, whose marriage ended in divorce when he was eight...
Count Otto Black	Andy Serkis Andy Serkis Andrew Clement G. "Andy" Serkis is an English actor, director and author. He is popularly known for playing Gollum in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, for which he earned several award nominations, including the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Two Towers...	Narrator	Michael Fenton Stevens Michael Fenton Stevens Michael Fenton Stevens , sometimes credited as Michael Fenton-Stevens, is a UK actor and comedian, a founder member of The Hee Bee Gee Bees and the voice behind the Spitting Image 1986 number 1 hit "The Chicken Song"...
Fangio	Mark Wing-Davey Mark Wing-Davey Mark Wing-Davey is a British actor and director.-Early life and career:The son of actor and actress Peter Davey and Anna Wing, Wing-Davey went to school at Woolverstone Hall School, before studying at Cambridge University where he was a member of the Footlights from 1967 to 1970.He had a featured...	Tobes De Valois	Jason Isaacs Jason Isaacs Jason Isaacs is an English actor born in Liverpool, who is best known for his performance as the villain Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, the brutal Colonel William Tavington in The Patriot and as lifelong criminal Michael Caffee in the internationally broadcast American television series...
Bartholomew The Bog-Troll, aka Capt. Moulsecoomb	Ben Miller Ben Miller Bennet Evan "Ben" Miller is an English comedian, actor and director. He is perhaps best known as one half of comedy double act Armstrong and Miller, along with Alexander Armstrong. Together the pair wrote and starred in Channel 4 sketch show Armstrong and Miller, and the more recent BBC television...	Colonel Mortimer & Inspectre Sherringford Hovis	Martin Jarvis OBE
Lazlo Woodbine, Clant, Doomsayer & Us Voice-Over	Kerry Shale Kerry Shale Kerry Shale is a UK-based actor, writer and voice-over artist. He is married to Suzanne Shale, a former Oxford University law don, now a specialist in the field of medical ethics.-Theatre:...	Nurse Hearse, Lady In The Straw Hat & Old Lady	Sarah Douglas Sarah Douglas Sarah Douglas is an English actress. She is perhaps best known for playing the Kryptonian supervillain Ursa in the first two Superman movies , and for her role as Pamela Lynch in the 1980s primetime drama series Falcon Crest .-Early life:Douglas was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, the...
Professor Nessor	Patrick Barlow Patrick Barlow Patrick Barlow is an English actor, comedian and playwright. His comedic alter ego, Desmond Olivier Dingle, is the founder, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the two-man National Theatre of Brent, which has performed on stage, on television and on radio.-Radio:Barlow is the scriptwriter, as...	Norris Styver, The Devil & Paul The Student	Kevin Eldon
Inspector Hector & Quentin Vambury-Greystoke	Brian Murphy Brian Murphy (actor) Brian Murphy is a British actor.Murphy was born in Ventnor, Isle of Wight. Although a prolific actor in many films and theatre productions for almost half a century, Murphy's most famous role was as the henpecked husband George Roper in the sitcom Man About the House and spin-off George and...	Jeffrey Primark, Isambard Kingdom-Come & The Priest	Jonathan Cecil Jonathan Cecil Jonathan Hugh Gascoyne-Cecil , more commonly known as Jonathan Cecil, was an English theatre, film and television actor.-Early life:...
Kelly-Anne Sirjan	Katherine Parkinson Katherine Parkinson Laura Katherine Parkinson is an English actress and comedian who is known for playing the part of Jen Barber in the Channel 4 comedy series The IT Crowd...	Chief Whitehawk & Leon	Rich Fulcher Rich Fulcher Rich Fulcher is an American comedian and author based in the United Kingdom. He is best known for co-starring in the British comedy series The Mighty Boosh, alongside comedy duo Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding.-Early life:...
Queen Mother, Pa Anncr, Medic, Susan The Student	Kate O’Sullivan	Stan Post, Lewes Tour Guide & Medic	Iain Lee Iain Lee Iain Lee is a British comedian, and a television and radio presenter. His career began when he performed stand-up comedy gigs across venues in London. He subsequently became co-presenter of the comedy current affairs show The 11 O'Clock Show on Channel 4 and RI:SE...
Nigel Fairborough-Countless, Sam The Zombie & Maitre D	Steve Oram Steve Oram Steve Oram is an English comedian, actor, writer and musician.Steve's screen work has included the feature film "It's All Gone Pete Tong" which also starred Paul Kaye, "Tittybangbang" series 2 and 3 on BBC Three, "Suburban Shootout" on Five and the 2nd series of "People Like Us" on BBC Two...	Edward Marzipan-Fudge, Bill The Zombie & Morris The Novice	Tom Meeten
Sir Burberry Spaniel-Fondler, Henchmen & Doorman	Ricky Grover Ricky Grover Ricky Grover is an English actor. His stepfather was an armed robber and his mother a hairdresser. Grover became a ladies' hairdresser and a boxer, before becoming a stand-up comedian, actor and occasional television presenter.-Career:Grover has appeared in television programmes including Red...	Hubert The Tramp, Butler, Hotel Manager + Others	Simon Gregor
Doctor Proctor & Scottish Groundsman	Steven Cree	Robert Johnson & Croquet Commentator	Ben Onwukwe
Jimi Hendrix & American Gangster	Colin McFarlane Colin McFarlane Colin McFarlane is an English actor and voice artist. He has appeared in several TV series, including The Fast Show, Judge John Deed, Jonathan Creek, Randall & Hopkirk , Jeeves and Wooster, Black Books and The Thin Blue Line. He is also known for portraying Police Commissioner Gillian B...	Father Ernetti, Waiter, Tailor, Mario & Croquet Commentator	Johnny Daukes
Danbury Collins & Mister Mate	Danny Eastman	Janet Orion	Tamsyn Challenger
The Monk	Elliott Stein	Cabbies & Himself	Robert Rankin Robert Rankin Robert Fleming Rankin is a prolific British humorous novelist. Born in Parsons Green, London, he started writing in the late 1970s, and first entered the bestsellers lists with Snuff Fiction in 1999, by which time his previous eighteen books had sold around one million copies...
Announcer & Mail Van Driver	Graham Rogers	Girl In Bar & Young Lady In Pub	Laurie Buckley
Ahab The Space Crab & Ministry Of Serendipity Voice-Over	Neil Gardner	Hugo Rune’s Biggest Fan	Jay Francis (who won the role through an online competition)

External links

• British Comedy Guide