TONG LASHING, the latest adventure of “Sir Apropos of Nothing” should be out in the stores about now. For those unfamiliar with this go-around, here’s the cover copy (written by yours truly):
He’s back. Sir Apropos of Nothing, the best reviewed anti-hero in modern fantasy makes his triumphant return and gets a severe “Tong Lashing” for his troubles.
Yes, the hero who reviewers have described as “Swiftian,” “Schopenhauerian,” “Cyclopian,” and many other big words, has survived the events in his previous outing, The Woad to Wuin, events that would have killed a lesser man. Which is impressive considering it’s hard to find a lesser man than Apropos: A con man, a knave, a scalawag…and those are his finer points.
This time out, Apropos finds himself out to sea…literally. Yes, our rogue knight winds up adrift in hostile waters after a “friendly” game of chance with a wizard turns ludicrously deadly. But once again Death is thwarted (or perhaps it simply wants nothing to do with him) as Apropos winds up a stranger in a strange land. A land called “Chinpan,” populated by people who speak a different language and live by a code of honor, neither of which Apropos can comprehend.
And yet in Chinpan, Apropos slowly begins to examine his life and question whether he can aspire to true greatness. To become more than the hard-bitten cynic he’s always been. He may yet be able to find a happy ending among a gentle people who are willing to accept him, faults and all. And he acquires a teacher who may even be able to set him on a road to true enlightenment.
But events conspire to pull Apropos in unexpected and dangerous directions. For his presence in Chinpan does not go unnoticed. What does the mysterious criminal organization known as the Forked Tong want with him? How do their plans tie in or conflict with the criminal Skang Kei family, and their enigmatic leader, Skang Kei Ho? What of the Mingol hordes? And what will be the fate of the Chin clan, including Double Chin, Cleft Chin, Kit Chin, and little Kit Chinette?
By turns hilarious and tragic, Tong Lashing leaves no signature moment of adventure unpummeled. Mysterious shadow warriors, demented rulers, martial arts lessons, ritual suicide…all that fun stuff and much more in this, the latest (and last?) adventure of Sir Apropos of Nothing.
PAD
• 
That’s freaking awesome!
I can’t wait. Just ordered it today using the link on the right of the page.
Please *not* the last….
I went to get it yesterday, at our local Barnes and Noble in NE Tennessee (that is probably my problem) – but I didn’t see it on the shelf. So I walk to the center help desk and inquire about it.
The guy tells me, “yes, it is out, but had not been added to our inventory yet. I can get it and call you when it comes in … in about 8-11 business days…”
WTF – not added to the inventory yet? So it is just sitting in the warehouse collecting dust?? Must just be my local B&N…
I told the guy, “No thanks, I will just wait” – which translates to – “I will just go to Books A Million”
Sheesh…Venting complete.
Xyon
Can’t wait to read it. Loved the other two, and just am praying that I get it before I get back to school. Oh, the suspense!
Chris
They actually let an author write his own cover copy? I thought publishing law mandated that the copy be written by someone who has never read the book, and who has no appreciation for the subject matter.
If he washes ashore in Chinpan, would that make the body of water he was on the ‘Chinpan Sea’?
I’m about a third of the way through it, and I’m loving every page. This one has what is probably the most delicious and literary play on words I’ve seen in any of the Apropos books. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t read it yet, but it’s really another excellent book. Congratulations!
You deserve a medal for those puns. Or the chair. I forget which.
Hi PAD,
I loved this book! I read it all on one day. This book is as good, if not better than, the first Apropos book. My question is, are there any more books in the works? Where does the future of the Apropos series stand?
-George
p.s. After reading the last two chapters, I’ve come to the conclusion that you are either a genius or the sickest man in the world. 🙂
Skanky? Skanky Ho? Cleft Chin, Kitchen and Kitchenette?
Aw geez, I haven’t even seen the book on stands yet, and I’m already laughing out loud. 🙂
Peter, I know that I am rushing you alittle but after the NF books that come out in October. When can we expect more?
Finally, I can come on this board without bìŧçhìņg about something. This book sounds so cool. Peter is The Man (sorry, Stan Lee)!
Well, that’s a little ironic, considering that Wednesday I’ll finally have the money to clear out my box at the comic book store, including…
Woad to Wuin in paperback.
Looking forward to it…in paperback. Never really liked the Hard Cover format for leisure reading. But I read Woad last week, and wasn’t sorry…
Good Morning PAD:
I picked up my copy last week and have been looking forward to Apropos’ lastest adventure since I finished…The Woad to Wuin…I love the work that you have been doing with New Frontier and the Apropos Novels help ease the pain of the long wait from the Being Human cliffhanger.
I hope that this is not the last we are to see of my favorite anti-hero.
Keep up the great work Peter.
Regards:
WSJ3
AHHH… I’ve been anticipating this book for months! The first two books are among my all time favorites. I pre-ordered mine last week and am bursting with anticipation in an obsessive Kathy Bates biggest fan sort of way.
Hope there are many more Apropos books to come!
Peter, you’re a really good writer of stuff.
E.
Ouch…I believe the proper karmic punishment for punning is defenestration…do you use Windows, Peter? 🙂
Easily PAD’s best original novel since the first Sir Apropos of Nothing. Whereas the ending of Woad to Wuin left me mildly dissappointed, the final chapters in Tong Lashing are so shocking and powerful that the Apropos character and series are changed forever. I eagerly await the next installment, especially considering the subtle revelation on the final page.
Alex
My copy came in the mail last week and as I just finished One Knight Only last night, Tong Lashing is up next. Although I really like everything you write, I thought the first Apropos book was really exceptional and I look forward to this next chapter. I’m just happy to be getting both quality and quantity. Thank you for all of your hard work!
I picked up the book today, and have read through the first chapter.
I have to warn you though, PAD- If there is anything as funny as ‘The One Thing’ from book 2, I’ll send you my doctor bill after I laugh myself sick.
A word of advice: do not go into your local bookstore and ask for “Tong Lashing”. You might just get one. 🙂
JSM
I started reading Tong Lashing today. Before this thread disappears out of sight I would like to already write a comment although I have only read four chapters so far: I like what I have read. I enjoyed the dark humor, the colourful mix of characters and especially the first person perspective.
This has been true for all Apropos novels and although I don`t like the choices Apropos made at the end of Woad to Wuin at all, I simply find this guy too intriguing.
It may be somewhat premature because it will be a while until I finish the book, but I already want to vote for more Apropos :).
Has anyone been able to find the MS Reader version, or only the Palm one?
Wasn’t Skang Kei Ho a villain in Spyboy or PAD’s Magnaverse take on the Punisher?.
Hooray, Tong Lashing is out! My birthday is coming up in a month so I’ll wait until then to read it. From reading other people’s comment here, I can guess that this book sounds better than the first two books.
Yay! Have ordered my copy from Amazon. Can’t wait for the puntastic goodness of another Apropos book. 🙂
Y’know, PAD, I’m not sure whether to praise you or whack you with a rolled-up Volkswagen, since my surname happens to be “Tong,” and this will (and to a certain extent already has) resulted in no small amount of ribbing from various friends and colleages. 🙂
Wow! I still have a few pages left to read….but wow! The last few revalations have been brain numbing. PAD, you really are the man!! You’ve been my favorite comic writer since X-Factor, and my favorite overall writer since Q-Squared. This book might just well be your best yet, and that is saying a hëll of a lot!
I finished the book yesterday and today I will start writing a more detailed review. I just can`t post it here because it will contain spoilers.
For now I just want to say, the book is well written and interesting to read. It is definitely full of surprises. But for my taste it is much too dark and depressing.
So I know i’m responding to this line over a year after it was posted but I’m notorious for being a little slow. I can’t find Tong Lashing anywhere! I live in Canada, is that causing the problem?? I have bought a bunch of copies of the first 2 and passed them out to my friends because that sarcastic humor is just the BEST. When is Tong Lashing out in paperback?
fbgfdhgfhxg