Professor Richard Dawkins is on his way to lecture the Women’s Institute of Upper Bottom on the non-existence of god when heavy snowfall hits. Stranded in the nearby village of Market Horton, the Professor and his assistant find safe haven with a retired vicar and his wife.

When the Professor Got Stuck in the Snow is both a bit odd and an amusing satire on the old science versus god debate. The silliness of the story highlights how silly people can get when it comes to arguing about each other’s beliefs. It’s also got a cosiness to it, with the various characters of the Bottoms not quite getting what the Professor is talking about or just letting it go over their heads on purpose.

The Professor has done all the experiments, yes all of them. So he knows for certain god doesn’t exist and science is right. No forget that, the Professor is always right. Long suffering assistant Smee idolises him but doesn’t always quite agree. Not that he can let the Professor know if he wants to keep his job.

One cannot beat ridicule and mockery for making someone come around to one’s point of view.

Underneath the slapstick and puns, there’s actually some valid points being made. The people of Market Horton are very polite and accepting of the Professor, when he’s rude and obnoxious, pushing his views onto anyone who will listen, and some who clearly will not, but that won’t stop him. If the tables were turned, and someone turned up pushing their religious views onto a stranger, I’m not sure it would be tolerated.

When the Professor finds he is staying with Christians he says his motto is “cordiality always” yet he takes every opportunity to insult them. To enjoy this book you have to take it as tongue-in-cheek. The Professor’s rants get more and more extreme, until he’s lecturing the Christmas-lights-turning-on crowd about infanticide. All they really wanted was for the kids to see Mr Tumble.

When the Professor Got Stuck in the Snow is published by Aadvark Bureau and is available now in paperback and ebook editions. Thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy for review.

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Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free of charge for review purposes only. Receipt of a book does not guarantee a review or endorsement. My reviews are my honest opinion and are not biased for the purpose of personal gain.