What do You think about Ruby & The Stone Age Diet (1989)?
Okay, so this story didn't put a smile on face like "The Good Fairies of New York" or like the fabulous "Lux the Poet". This story was published like way way way back when, and has only recently been republished or at least in the US republished now in light of Martin Millar's popularity. That being said, I don't regret buying the book or reading it. This story didn't have the level of humor or sophistication that his later works have. But then again, I think that in this story we can see the birth of elements that would later become purely and charmingly Martin Millar's trademark. Nonetheless, I did enjoy it and it did have it's "your laughing and you know you shouldn't be but you can't help it" moments. The end was anti-climatic. Really, it was 'flat'. In this story no one dies and there's no great battle. We're really just watching a flaud guy go through the motions of his life. The story ends quietly with our nameless protagonist having a steady job and a proper place to live. However, I admit that the journey (the tale) into this short period of the protagonist's life was compelling and he was charming in only the way that Martin Millar's characters are. This book will definitely stay on my bookshelf for another read, and when I do reread it, at that time, you'll have to ask me what I thought of it on a second read.
—Leticia Vega-Boggs
I've generally really enjoyed Martin Millar as an author, my favorites of his being The Good Fairies of New York and Lonely Werewolf Girl. This one, was not my favorite. It was a super short read but it took me awhile to get through. I had difficulty accepting the characters in the book as actual people and not figments of some untold character's imagination. There were other parts that were vile without any real need for them to be. Still planning on reading more from him but this was not my favorite.
—Tiffani
I barely made it to the halfway point in this book before I had to put it down and walk away. I'm all for weird books and writing techniques, but this one was just too over the top for me. I'm not sure if there is ever a coherent plot, because the lack of a coherent plot by halfway through was what finally convinced me to put the book down.I loved Good Fairies of New York, and I'm looking forward to finally reading Lonely Werewolf Girl, but I just couldn't get into this particular Millar book, no matter how much I wanted to.
—Dawn Vogel
