No Phule Like An Old Phule by Robert Asprin with Peter J. Heck
01/09/2004 . Source: Phil Jones 

pub: ROC. 316 page paperback. Price: $ 7.99 (US), $10.99 (CAN). ISBN: 0-441-01152-7.

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I First started reading Robert Asprin's books back in the eighties. I really enjoyed his 'M.Y.T.H. Inc.' series and read the first two 'Phule' series books, 'Phule's Company' and 'Phule's Paradise', at the start of the nineties. I, myself, always preferred the 'Myth adventures' with its pun-based humour.

Robert Asprin published little else during the nineties due to personal and financial difficulties, but now he seems to be back up to speed with this the fifth book in the 'Phule series'

The books mainly concern a small unit of space legionnaires run by Captain Jester (aka Willard Phule). We join Phule on his latest mission on the planet Zenobia which is on the edge of a civil war. The alliance has made a treaty with one group of inhabitants, the Zenobians, a race of small intelligent 'dinosaur-like' creatures. The other race on the planet, the Nanoids, are still yet to form a treaty.

Captain Jester has his fingers in many pies, one of which is the Fat Chance Casino and hotel which he has an owning share. His father, a highly successful business man in the universe, and owns a whole host of weapons factories decides to pay the casino a visit. Ever since his son, Captain Jester, joined the legion he has felt that his son can't run or do anything properly. So he comes to inspect the books and running of the establishment.

Due to the successful nature of Captain Jester's pursuits, he has gained a few enemies along the way. One of which has always been his boss, General Blitzkrieg, and also some more unsavoury characters. One of which decides to employ two con artists, Lola and Ernie, to kidnap the Captain. They go to the Fat Chance Casino in the hope of finding him but get entangled in the dealing of Captain Jester's father.

We also follow the initiation of Thumper into the legion. Thumper is an alien whom on the face of it looks like a giant rabbit. The arrival of an environmental investigation team with Barky the environmental dog and a hunting party of rich clients on the planet of Zenobia. Captain Jester has to deal with both parties and keep them separate and unknown to each other while conducting his normal diplomatic work with the Zenobians.

As you can see, there are a few story threads in this book and each chapter tends to have short sections from a few which helps to keep the flow and momentum of the book going. The characters are all likeable in one way or another, especially Captain Jester and the rest of the legionnaires in his Omega company.

There's a good blend of characters which help the humorous nature of the book. Lola and Ernie are hapless con men and this is played on to its advantage throughout the book. There are one or two really funny scenes in the book that makes you laugh outright. The scene in the mess hall when the Captain is entertaining the environmental team and Thumper walks in is an especially good read. The rest I would say is only mildly funny but still enjoyable.

The storylines are workable and act as a good framework for the characters to play against. I enjoyed this more than the first two 'Phule' books I've read. Having been so long since reading them, I almost came to this book as if the series were new to me and this brings me to my next point which is that the book works just as well in its own right.

The only real criticism I have is that the ending is wrapped up a bit too succinctly. Perhaps it could have been developed just that bit more. You don't have to read the previous books to understand or get to know the characters. Robert Asprin does a good job of continuing the series but not isolating new readers.

If you want a fairly short easy to read book that has a sprinkling of humour throughout then, this is not a bad place to start. I only hope Robert Asprin carries on with this series and improves this book with the next.

Phil Jones