Step into the wonderfully chaotic world of J.W. Wells & Co, where a magical London firm churns out love potions, battles dragons, and throws hapless employees like Paul Carpenter into a whirlwind of corporate satire and fantastical mayhem! Written by British comic fantasy maestro Tom Holt, this series blends sharp humor, shape-shifting goblins, and a delightfully absurd take on office life, making it a hidden gem for fans of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett.
With its roots in the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Sorcerer, J.W. Wells & Co invites readers to a modern London where magic is just another day at the office—albeit one with a high risk of turning into a stapler. Ready to discover a series that’s equal parts hilarious and enchanting? Let’s dive in!
How J.W. Wells & Co Began
Tom Holt, a former solicitor turned full-time writer, launched the J.W. Wells & Co series in 2003 with The Portable Door. Inspired by the whimsical magician from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Sorcerer, Holt crafted a fictional firm where magic meets corporate greed. His knack for blending mythology and humor, honed through earlier novels like Expecting Someone Taller, shines here. Holt’s goal? To parody the mundane grind of office life while tossing in goblins, fairies, and magical contraptions, creating a series that’s as clever as it is entertaining.
The Heart of J.W. Wells & Co
The series kicks off with The Portable Door, where Paul Carpenter, a bumbling university dropout, stumbles into a job at J.W. Wells & Co. He quickly learns the firm’s respectable facade hides a magical operation dealing in love potions and pest control (think dragons, not roaches). Paul’s misadventures, from dodging shape-shifting goblins to mastering a magical door that teleports anywhere, set the tone for the series’ zany charm.
Subsequent books like In Your Dreams see Paul reluctantly promoted to hero, tackling dragons and fending off the Fey invading his dreams. Earth, Air, Fire and Custard ups the absurdity with magical custard and corporate conspiracies, while May Contain Traces of Magic follows salesman Chris Popham navigating dodgy magical products like powdered water. The series’ themes—corporate satire, interspecies romance, and the clash of mundane and magical—create a vibrant world. Holt’s London is a “weirdness magnet,” packed with goblins, fairies, and a Bank of the Dead, all delivered with his signature wit.
Holt’s style is a masterclass in comic fantasy, blending slapstick with sharp social commentary. Whether it’s poking fun at cutthroat executives or exploring Paul’s awkward love life, the series keeps readers laughing while rooting for its underdog heroes. The magical firm’s ever-shifting corridors and quirky employees make every page a delightful surprise.
Why J.W. Wells & Co Resonates
J.W. Wells & Co has carved a niche among comic fantasy fans for its irreverent humor and relatable characters. While not as mainstream as Pratchett’s Discworld, its cult following cherishes its blend of workplace satire and fantastical chaos. The 2023 film adaptation of The Portable Door, starring Sam Neill and Christoph Waltz, introduced the series to new audiences, cementing its quirky legacy. Holt’s ability to make magic feel like just another office hazard keeps the series fresh and endlessly re-readable.
- Publication Years: 2003–2023
- Number of Books: 8
- Notable Adaptation: The Portable Door (2023 film)
Grab The Portable Door and dive into J.W. Wells & Co’s hilarious, magical world—where the only thing scarier than a goblin receptionist is the quarterly performance review!