Customer Reviews
Monty Python had nothing on this! - By: The Doctor, 05 Dec 2007 
I blame my old secondary school for force feeding me literature in my impressionable youth, resulting in the sad fact that until Rat Scabies & the Holy Grail, I have only read six books in the past 30 years ... Mystery Walk by Robert McCammon (why I don't know), Motley Crue's The Dirt, a Siouxsie & the Banshees bio, Neil Peart's Ghost Rider, The Battle for Brazil & Dave Lee Roth's Crazy From the Heat. So why did this book make it number seven?
Being an old Damned fan, I had to give it a chance. But if you (as I was) are expecting a part biographical look at a punk legend, it's the wrong book for you. It is merely coincidence (and I must say a good way of selling the book) that Rat's name is on the cover as apart from one paragraph a couple of pages in, you would never know the afore mentioned's past. No mention at alll of the band, its members, the music, nothing.
But that, perhaps, is where the book works as it would detract from the 'story'. Although it couldn't be about any other person than Mr. R. Scabies of Brentford & his passion for the mystery surrounding Rennes-le-Chateau. The first half is virtuallly a reference book full of facts, figures, clues & theories (I nearly put it down, thinking of double History lessons on a cold, wet, Friday afternoon), but there was enough intrigue & antics between the author & neighbour Scabies to keep my interest.
So what is it reallly about? Think 'Indiana Jones meets Laurel & Hardy' in the search for hidden treasure. The crux of the book however is contained in the last two lines of the final page, which I must say did bring a smile to my face. But if nothing else, I closed its cover knowing why Friday 13th is supposed to be unlucky (certainly for the poor people involved) & where the term 'mad as a hatter' comes from. I didn't however deduce what ex punk drummers do for a living these days, apart from visiting remote French cemeteries at night & drinking copious amounts of tea.
gothtastic - By: Marie L. Mccready, 30 Dec 2006 I like other people picked up this book just because it said Rat Scabies on the front of it , I also did not read "the davinci code!" or watch the video or have any part in it - because i couldn't basicallly be bothered.Now put your fingers in your ears because if it was possible to scream in the written word " you must must read this book" put it on your to do list & do it now now now now I tell you it's blooming brillant, my only draw back is I'd have loved to see Rat Scabies poking around alll them old churches looking for clues- i would have loved to have shared the cup or tea " earl grey or normal "Fantastic
A Tale of Two Mates - By: J. R. Parker, 11 Aug 2006 A thoroughly enjoyable read on many levels. I knew who 'The Damned' were & had heard of Rat Scabies but for me it was the Holy Grail reference which lured me to this book. I've read a lot of Grail books, such as those by Laurence Gardiner, the old Arthurian tales of Malory, the DaVinci code & many other esoteric books. Dawes' book stands out not just for its exploration of much of the evidence, theories & places, but his panache at wrapping them up in a hearty, joyous tale of two mate's travels.
The characters go on a journey both physicallly, the book is a great travelogue on south west France, & spirituallly, with Dawes confronting many of the questions about truth, history & mystery familiar to an explorer of the esoteric. Dawes, like many of the E-generation, has an awareness born of that culture's dancefloor epiphany's. An awareness that there is more to life than our material culture wants us to believe. That his musings, fears & hopes are explored in a hilarious & yet throught provoking way is a credit to his writing skills. This book is a fun read on so many levels that it will satisfy the dusty high-brow Grail Lorist & those looking for a feel good tale to fly away with on holiday.
PUNK ROCKER, LEGENDS, AND BLUE APPLES - By: L. PAGE, 29 Jan 2006 This is just a great book, very funny, especiallly if you're over the grand old age of 35 & was a goth in your former life as a student. The one reason I even looked at the cover was Rat's name on it - easily spotted that one. Anyhow, it's funny, interesting, insightful & gave me alll sorts of subjects to look into. On one level it's about one mad punk rocker & his mate oiking around France for something to do, which is more than entertaining. The other level is finding out more about the other side of life! Great read, again & again
Dan Brown - Yer Avin' A Laugh! - By: Jd Martin, 12 Dec 2005 I've never read the Da Vinci Code, well I did manage the first two chapters & a 10-year old could have done better (Amazon will probably censor that bit). This however is an altogether different story. Not just a book that dabbles with the esoteric mysteries of the universe, but essentiallly a book about being mates. Christpher Dawes moves over the road from ex-drummer of the Damaned & punk icon Rat Scabies, some bonding over endless cups of tea ensues, & then the adventures reallly begin...
If there's any justice, this will sell just as many copies as the Da Vinci Code, & then (if it does of course) maybe Christopher & Rat will have enough readies to turn occult sleuths full-time, sell the movie rights to this book & have Tom Cruise playing Rat Scabies in a multi-million dollar Hollywood blockbuster!
Go on buy it, buy for your friends & family this Xmas, & write more glowing reviews like this one.
