Books
BOOK REVIEW: Strength Through Koi: They Saved Hitler’s Koi and Other Stories – Jonathan Downes
This book made an exceptionally long wait for the train home from this weekends ‘Unconvention’ in London, far more bearable and amusing. I mean come on, what’s better than reading stories about Koi?…no, really!
Jonathan Downes is one of those writers that you’ll naturally levitate towards if you’re a fan of the ‘Fortean’ way. He runs the amazing Centre for Fortean Zoology, has written a whole load of books, and goes looking for crazy anomalous creatures in the wildest parts of the world, thus making him instantly one of my heroes.
After finally meeting the man at the Uncon this weekend, I was persuaded by a young lady, I think maybe his daughter, into buying this book. At first I was reluctant, I mean, how can a book about Koi Carp be any fun to read right? I know nothing about carp, nothing at all; luckily for the reader, neither does Mr Downes! We’ve all been there; broke and desperate for work to pay the rent. But I would never have had the balls to trick a Koi Carp Magazine into running a series on the ‘Fortean aspects of their hobby’.
After a hilarious forward, we are propelled into the semi-true Fortean-world of Koi collecting. The book is basically a compendium of two years worth of articles, that get more and more strange as they go on. You actually end up not only laughing along with stories, but also at the obvious break-down in Koi-related material available to Downes, leading to some of the most ludicrously funny articles I have ever read.
I think the most amazing thing is that the author managed to pull the fishy-wool over the magazine editors eyes for so long. The book jumps from saving Hitler’s Koi, to NASA sending Koi into space and eventually Alien Koi abduction! This book is great, it serves its purpose in providing giggles, and it will confuse the hell out of people that spy it on your coffee table, which makes it even better!
4.5/5
Ken Eakins
Tags: Discussion
5 comments for “BOOK REVIEW: Strength Through Koi: They Saved Hitler’s Koi and Other Stories – Jonathan Downes”
Post a comment
Categories
- No categories
This looks great. I want to read it.
It’s always good seeing a subject being written with humour.
Great cover too.
Good review.
It really is.
I’m Paul and I approve of this message
“I’m Paul and I approve of this message”
You’re failed, and I approve of that statement
Not my daughter, but a favourite neice….
Glad you liked the book. I think it is amusing bollocks m’self…..
jon
I’m glad i persuaded you to buy it then!
are you going to come and see us all at the next weird weekend?
yep, we shall most certainly be there!
Really enjoyed the interview today, it reinforced my admiration for the work you guys are doing!