Stark is the 3rd Ben Elton book I’ve read, and unfortunately it is also the worst. I like the set-up, I like the style, but I hate the execution. It’s boring some of the time, aggravating at others, and seriously disappointing at the end. I’d never promise anything like this, but reading books that get on my nerves like this one, make me never want to pick up another book by that author again.
Stark has a good premise, the richest of the rich, billionaire industrialists have formed a nefarious cabal of money and power. Their global plans are incredible and dangerous. But the newest indoctrinated recruit to the group Sly Morcock isn’t about to let danger stop his plans. Meanwhile a small team of colourful ecologically minded characters are organizing themselves in Western Australia. They are forming a group of green terrorists, Eco-Action, and they’ve figured out that something is going on with the richest men in the world. Only thing is, are the rag-tag Eco-Action team ready to face a situation a dire or important as this one?
Ok, well, maybe it sounds a little cheesy there, but it actually does have some potential to be a fun, light-hearted, fluff kind of novel. Nothing life changing, but hey, it’s Ben Elton. You can’t expect too much. The problem, for me, is the delivery. Elton draws his characters well, he understands humour well, and he is fairly witty a narrator. In other words, all the ingredients are there for a really good fun book. But Elton is depressing, everything just kind of drags, the pacing doesn’t match what action there is. This book could easily be 150 pages shorter, and more action packed. But as it is I wasn’t too impressed. The ending was a particularly large let down. Here’s a hint, a book like this is supposed to have a happy ending… Stark just annoys the reader. Don’t bother with this book. If you really want to read Ben Elton, pick up This Other Eden. Because his others haven’t done too much for me yet.
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