Me So Far

With this volume, Canadian novelist Jack wraps up the humorous fictional memoirs of Bartholomew Bandy, whose madcap adventures cover the decade between 1916 and 1926. Here Bandy is off to India to establish an air force for the Maharajah of Jhamjarh, who fears invasion by a neighboring state. Bandy begins his latest career by drunkenly alienating the new British Viceroy of India, deporting himself in typically unconventional manner. ``In my time I've driven quite a few people to drink, distraction, or the Northwest Territories,'' he admits to his fiancee, lovely Icelander Sigridur Jonsdottir, M.D. Jack's deadpan British humor (``I don't like new experience. I don't like any kind of experience. I'm an academic,'' a scholar confesses to Bandy) will draw new fans to the blundering triumphs of this lovable rascal. (Sept.)