J. W. Wells 'The Portable Door' By Tom Holt

J.W. Wells & Co is a Series by Tom Holt the British born author known for writing parody science and fantasy fiction novels. The first novel in the series was The Portable Door, which is Tom Holts thirty-fifth title. After the publication of the title and receiving much critical acclaim in the UK, Holt went on to publish several more titles in the series to stand at seven published by 2011. Described as dazzling and hilariously funny by many reviewers, Holt goes back to his fantasy fiction roots in the novel with much success. Introducing a new lead character in the feckless Paul Carpenter, he writes novels full of a lot of intriguing fantasy elements. His lead character is a man working at a London firm that is involved in the cutthroat love

W. Wells & Co. corrupt beyond redemption. Hey are willing to offer their magical potions to anyone who has the money to pay for it regardless of their motivations. Nearly all the executives that are the lead antagonists in the series try to take over the world using their magical powers before the hero neutralizes them. Given how much magic is present in the company, it is a dangerous place to work and the people that find themselves working for the company soon find themselves transformed into nothing more than a piece of office equipment. Tom Holt practically throws the entire fantasy kitchen sink into the series with a Riders of Rohan Lieutenant Colonel, giants, a lich, the Bank of the Dead, the Fey, dragons, goblins, living swords, and mermaids. The setting of the novel itself is a weirdness magnet as the company hires Paul Carpenter a man seemingly without purpose. The building seems to transform itself randomly with employees left to their own devices, staplers disappearing across the building, and glowing eyes scaring people at random. The misadventures of Paul the lead character lasts for three titles to be replaced by those of other new employees that are just as naïve and feckless. Interspecies romance is another important aspect of the series as shape-shifting goblins who have relationships with humans particularly the lead character are very

He soon lands a job at the mysterious J.W. Wells & Co. though it is quite clear that he may have a very difficult job trying to do what is required of him. It is not long before he is found to be out of his depth forgetting his boss’s name, his colleagues’ names, and even his own name. He breaks things and hides in the toilet traumatized and weeping hysterically unsure of whom he should report to or what he is supposed to do next. Sophie his colleague is equally new and occasionally she seems just as confused as Paul. She is enamored with Paul but unfortunately, she has a boyfriend leaving the confused Paul pining for her. The narrative becomes even odder with magical contrivances seemingly coming out of nowhere at the most inopportune of times. With a vault full of unusual antiquities such as the life policy for Vlad Dracul, a birth certificate for Scarlett O’Hara, and walls with scratch marks that appear and disappear at will, it is a roller coaster of a story whose ending is impossible to