Russell Ash is our new favourite author. His book, ‘Potty Fartwell & Knob‘ has hundreds of characters and virtually no plot — just the kind of book we like! And if you’re the sort of person who enjoys trawling through the dictionary looking for the smutty entries (you are, aren’t you?), I think you’ll like this book too. Russell Ash waded through tons of old census records, but he wasn’t looking for deep ‘n’ meaningful insights into British social history; he was looking for silly names. Here are some examples:
- Edmond Sufferer De Mullett,
- Magic Muxworthy,
- Boadicea Belch,
- Gasoline McKenzie Yeats,
- Temperantia Google, and,
- Joseph Faggott Tempest.
If you’re keen on…er…literature (!), ‘Potty Fartwell & Knob’ would be an excellent companion volume to Far From Dull, by Dominic Greyer, which is a collection of photos of strange British place names (e.g., Ventongimps, Cow Roast and Sexhow).
Both of the above books are now part of our very own Library of Knowledge. Did I ever mention we’re a pair of intellectuals?
Russell Ash said:
Dear Intellectuals,
Thank you for your excellent review of my book, Potty, Fartwell & Knob: concise and accurate, it coincidentally refers to several of my favourite names. The enhanced (i.e. about 30% more entries) paperback comes out later this year, so that’s your Christmas present list solved…
Best wishes, Russell
July 9, 2008
Chris said:
Gee, we’re pleased you liked our little review, Russell.
As you may have realised, there ain’t none o’ those paid reviews on this blog. It’s all genuine praise, flattery ‘n’ exaltation around here. Feel free, though, to cite excerpts from our opinions on the blurb of that enhanced paperback of yours later this year. We shall, of course, be looking out for it in the shops.
July 9, 2008