Ignore the cheesy cover and dig in. I agree with other reviewers that if you miss Terry Pratchett you may enjoy Si Clarke's silly tale of alien abduction.
While it may be helpful to be a SciFi nerd to catch all the PopLit references, I don't think it necessary nor does it detract from the enjoyment level even if you aren't a dedicated fan of SFF minutia.
This book stands well on its own silly merits for general SFF readers who are looking for a light-hearted bit of fun.
We could use more of this type of amusing and distracting read during the pandemic (or any time really!).
Thank you, Si, for the grins. I'd look for more from this author. ( )

This book is weird and charming in all the right ways. It is about alien abduction but it’s such a great story. It’s lighthearted and fun, and will make you laugh. It pays tribute to a lot of the greats that while you read you’ll come across lines that will spark a memory from some classics. If you’re looking for a short, adventurous book that’s definitely not average, you should pick this one! ( )

What a fun book! I got an advance review copy from BookSirens because the description sounded like a cross between Hitchhiker's Guide and Star Smashers of the Galaxy Rangers. No offense to Adams or any of his legions of fans, but I didn't find the Guide all that hilarious when I read it (okay...I admit that was 45 years ago), but I did find Harrison's send up quite funny. Clarke drops a ton of refs here -

Lastly, this book contains an inordinate number of geek culture references. This as an homage to all things science fiction. There are countless references to all my favourites – Star Trek, Red Dwarf, Firefly, The X-Files, Doctor Who, Battlestar Galactica, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Babylon 5, The Expanse, etc. None of it should be read as derogatory or dismissive, nor would I ever suggest my work can take the place of anyone else’s. Please support artists and authors. This is my love song to the entire genre.

- not all of which I got, I know (haven't watched Dwarf, X-files, much of Babylon, and only a little Who) but I did catch a lot. And... I looked up one: Lem has a "Bean Me Up espresso milk stout by Fuggles & Warlock"... beer envy... now I have to go to BC.

I liked this line "She seems to be coming around now, though these readings are meaningless to me. I’m a doctor, not a veterinarian. I’ve no idea what normal would look like for such a bizarre species." Second time I’ve come across something like that in the last month. Yeah, if you're captured by aliens, you do want a vet to take care of you.

A kidnapped earthling, a talkative horse(ish), snarky organic robot who can't swear (programming), a free-floating, full-torso, vaporous apparition (okay, a little referential liberty on my part), a feathered expert in a non-spoiled arena, and a dog named Spock on a space time adventure...what's not to like? Plus there's a much needed particular positivity that I also won't spoil.

It's a short book and I look forward to the next installment. I need to see if I can carve out time for other books from Clarke. ( )