Gigantic by Ashley Stokes
A very funny account of cryptozoological shenanigans on the edge of urban Banstead. It's not often these days that I laugh out loud when reading a book, but this one is rich with brilliant comic moments. Loved it.
– Gareth E. Rees, author of Unofficial Britain, Car Park Life and more
This tale of what happens when a hobby becomes an obsession is unlike anything I’ve read before. Absurd and inventive, Gigantic made me laugh and shake my head in equal measure, and the ingenious way in which the story unfolds had me gripped.
– Lucie McKnight Hardy, author of Water Shall Refuse Them
“I wasn’t sure you would get this far, so thanks a million already. You opened the mystery bag… Inside the bag, along with this letter, is a dossier that describes the whole story.”
Kevin Stubbs is a Knower. He knows life hasn’t always treated him fairly. He knows he wants to be allowed access to his son again. But most of all, he knows that the London Borough of Sutton is being stalked by a nine-foot-tall, red-eyed, hairy relict hominid – the North Surrey Gigantopithecus.
Armed with a thermal imaging camera (aka the Heat Ray) and a Trifield 100XE electromagnetic field reader (aka the Tractor Beam), Kevin and his trusty comrades in the GIT (aka the Gigantopithecus Intelligence Team) set out to investigate a new sighting on the outskirts of Sutton. If real, it will finally prove to the world that the infamous Gartree-Hogg footage was genuine, and a British Bigfoot is living in suburban London: FACT.
But what he discovers undermines everything he believes in – and forces Kevin to face up to his own failures, and the very real, very scary prospect that he might have got it all terribly wrong.
REVIEWS
Ashley Stokes has an at times hilarious take on cryptozoology in Gigantic, with the search for the North Surrey Gigantopithecus.
- Fortean Times
Stokes is aware of just how much absurd the uncanny, weird, and humanist elements of this novel require for it to be a coherent, thoughtful and engaging read. Gigantic will make you laugh and smile whilst tugging at your heartstrings with its unique brand of suburban folky horror vibes.
- Ginger Nuts of Horror
I truly hope to see Gigantic as a movie alongside Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End. It deserves all the shining glory it can get.
- Geekdad
Humour in fantasy is I think very tricky to get right but this is a genuinely funny read… Highly recommended!
- Runalong the Shelves
The prose is littered with golden scat for pop culture fanatics… Stokes sets up an intriguing sequel, primed for a grander canvas.
- Andromeda Spaceways
Paperback ISBN: 9781912658145
ePub ISBN: 9781912658152
Publication date: 2 September 2021
Format: Paperback, ePub and mobi
