Flying Dutch
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Tom Holt |
| Products | Comedic fantasy novel |
| Parent | Orbit Books |
Flying Dutch () represents the third entry in the comedic fantasy genre by British writer Tom Holt, released in the United Kingdom in 1991 through Orbit Books.
Drawing inspiration from Wagner's 1843 opera The Flying Dutchman, this novel offers a fresh take on the myth of the Dutchman and his crew, portraying them as subjects of a defective alchemical procedure. This experiment bestowed upon them eternal life but also inflicted a dreadful odor. Every seven years, this foul smell diminishes temporarily, enabling the crew to come ashore for provisions. The introduction of contemporary technology combined with accrued interest on the Dutchman's centuries-old life insurance policy poses a threat to worldwide financial equilibrium.
Reception
Publishers Weekly labeled the book as "entertaining" and "at times very funny," though it found aspects somewhat "stilted." Conversely, Kirkus Reviews criticized the work for its "formulaic storyline" and predictable comedic elements. The Los Angeles Times commended its "clever" narrative and "witty, lighthearted style," drawing comparisons to Terry Gilliam, but remarked that the latter portion did not maintain the strength of the earlier chapters.
In the 1992 Best Fantasy Novel awards by Locus magazine, the novel secured the 17th position.