The Gone-Away World

Introducing The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway - a story about friendship and love (and ninjas). Featuring battles, alarms, terrible upheavals and disasters. Also containing digressions and disquisitions; showdowns and throwdowns; monsters, marvels and miracles. One or two pages feature profundity, but these the discerning reader may choose to ignore.

Though more suitable for adults than children (too much swearing) this is a riotous adventure with some fantastic characters. The story takes place in a well realised post-apocalyptic world with various factions trying to control and rebuild society. It's very funny too.

The structure of the book is a bit of a mess, there's no need for it to jump abruptly backwards and forwards a couple of times and it's way too long, but these faults are leavened by plenty of action and some great characters - Ronnie Cheung: the toughest military instructor alive, Ike Thermite: vocal leader of a mime troupe, Zaher Bey: charismatic rebel leader and many more.

There's also a terrific fight scene between an old man (he's Master Wu, a martial arts expert) and some ninja warriors that have been sent to kill him.

Recommended.

Radiohead

RK's online midwife Genevieve has been product testing a Pure DAB Tempus-1S radio for the past few weeks. Here's her report:

'The reception we got from this DAB radio was excellent. Bearing in mind that I have other radios in the house and have to have them very carefully positioned to pick up the stations - it didn't matter where I put the Pure radio, reception and sound quality was brilliant as well. My children really enjoyed playing with the sounds for the alarm etc. They all had different favourites, bird song, waves and thunderstorm were voted tops. I also liked the way you could just tap the handle to get information about what you were listening to etc. I only wish there were more things on the radio for children because I loved listening to stories on the radio as a child.'

Spicy Crisps

They say: Walkers Sensations Szechuan Spice captures the unique mixture of sweet, sour, aromatic and fragrant for which Asian cuisine is famed. Combining the intensely aromatic taste of ginger, zesty lemongrass and fragrant coriander, a dash of soy sauce and a warming kick of chilli, Walkers Sensations Szechuan Spice is a crunchier potato crisp bursting with irresistible flavours.

I say: Mmmmm tasty.