Gone Away for another day

The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway is a stark raving mad compendium of everything you've ever wanted to read a novel about.

This book includes (the long list): ninjas, dreams, death, war, armageddon, WMD's, mutant killer bees, espionage, moonshine, kung-fu, mimes, polish mothers, homicidal half-man half-animal mutations, pirates, stock cars, revolution, sexy nurses, brain damage, references to norse mythology, truckers, haz-mat, split personalities, evil corporations, secret societies, saving the world... and of course sex, love and friendship (to give it that full-flavored taste).

In short, this book is epic, imposing, grandiose, and a thoroughly worthwhile read... provided your main literary objective is entertainment. In the authors own words, "more than anything, I wanted this book to be fun. I wanted it to be more fun than the other things you could usefully be doing with your time." (http://www.goneawayworld.co.uk)

Mr. Harkaway, my time is yours.

(Hardcover, $24.95. 02 September 2008, Knopf.)