The Atrocity Archives (Eldritch comedy From the Vast Deep)

"Dungeons & Dragons? Sorry, saving the world."

   Charles Stross is a fantastic author out of Scotland, he spent much of his early career in the I.T. sector and writing technical manuals for software, this gave him a solid background in professional geekdom.

  This book, and it's sequel  are very dear to me. Just to give you an overview of the premise: Hard core computer geekery, mixed with James Bond style super secret spy organization, peppered with nifty gadgetry, and smothered in a delightful Lovecraftian Cthulhu sauce. Bake on high for 30 minutes, sprinkle with neurotic characters, and serve well done with a massive helping of absurdly funny.

   Our Hero's name is Howard, Bob Howard, a lower level clerk in a British secret agency known as The Laundry. For the most part hi life is pretty simple, one day he's coding a simple summoning circle in his tiny office, the next day he has to track down someone who accidentally drew a symbol in a Magic: The gathering deck that could release an ancient horror the likes of which the world has never seen. After all that mundane frivolity, Bob heads home to the flat that he shares with two of his co-workers (affectionately named Pinky and Brain) who happen to be super geniuses, super geeks, and also super gay. He walks in the door to Brain doing obscure experiments with eggs and magnets, while Pinky is dressed for a night on the town in his best leather assless chaps. A small Nerf battle ensues and ends with a truce of pizza and booze. Thus is the life of Bob.

  There is a plot to this book, with obstacles and dramatic climaxes, love interests and harrowing suspense. ...but I want you to find that out on your own, and hopefully I've given you enough to peak your interest.


   On a side note, I've corresponded with Mr. Stross and am convinced that he's a /b/tard, he has a book in the works that's due out soon called Rule 34.  When I asked him about it all he said was: "I want the publisher to do an internet advertising campaign, sort of a cross between 'Goatse' and 'Hamsterdance', I'll call it 'Goatsedance.exe'.

True story. ...and now, by popular demand, I bring you MOAR Turkish Bath House!

Is that a flannel in my ass, or are you just happy to see me?