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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
This was a silly book that was so much fun to read. If you like pirates or silliness, you should pick it up. If you make movies, please consider this little book for your next pirate flick?
Much sharper and more Blackadderesque than you might expect to find in the bookstore “Humour” section between Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and 101 More Ripping Fart Jokes for Dad.
No, this is far more in the league of a John Swartzwelder book: a literary animated sitcom, unapologetically chasing the big traditional laughs, succeeding more often than not, and ending before it outstays its welcome. I had a delightful time.
The comedy never falls back on the lazy idea that pirates are inherently funny, but on the characterisation of the pirates as a benign bunch of sweethearts, all cartoonishly stupid, but in sync with one another in a way that strikes a weirdly touching chord. If this had been released in the ‘90s, I can so easily imagine 15-year-old me insufferably quoting every line to his uninterested classmates.
***
“The Pirate Captain had a fantastic idea. He found himself with another useless hand but this time, instead of thumping the table and looking miserable, he gave a big grin, and whispered loudly to the pirate who wore a scarf, 'We'll be feasting on that forty head of hog, with this brilliant hand!'”
*
“The Pirate Captain cut an impressive figure. If you were to compare him to a type of tree - and working out what sort of tree they would be if they were trees instead of pirates was easily one of the crew's favourite pastimes - he would undoubtedly be an oak, or maybe a horse chestnut.”
*
Overheard dialogue from one pirate to another: “Diving. Have you ever tried it? It's fantastic! We went and dived at the wreck of an actual pirate ship!”
No, this is far more in the league of a John Swartzwelder book: a literary animated sitcom, unapologetically chasing the big traditional laughs, succeeding more often than not, and ending before it outstays its welcome. I had a delightful time.
The comedy never falls back on the lazy idea that pirates are inherently funny, but on the characterisation of the pirates as a benign bunch of sweethearts, all cartoonishly stupid, but in sync with one another in a way that strikes a weirdly touching chord. If this had been released in the ‘90s, I can so easily imagine 15-year-old me insufferably quoting every line to his uninterested classmates.
***
“The Pirate Captain had a fantastic idea. He found himself with another useless hand but this time, instead of thumping the table and looking miserable, he gave a big grin, and whispered loudly to the pirate who wore a scarf, 'We'll be feasting on that forty head of hog, with this brilliant hand!'”
*
“The Pirate Captain cut an impressive figure. If you were to compare him to a type of tree - and working out what sort of tree they would be if they were trees instead of pirates was easily one of the crew's favourite pastimes - he would undoubtedly be an oak, or maybe a horse chestnut.”
*
Overheard dialogue from one pirate to another: “Diving. Have you ever tried it? It's fantastic! We went and dived at the wreck of an actual pirate ship!”
Charles Darwin, pirates, and a WWF smack down inspired fight scene. Who could ask for more?
A perfectly hilarious series of piratical adventures.
Pirates in an Adventure with Ahab
Pirates in an Adventure with Communists
Pirates in an Adventure with Ahab
Pirates in an Adventure with Communists
Descriptive pirates
Anachronisms vs real facts
Slapstick and hi-jinx
I've seen the Aardman film based on this book and that movie definitely captured the book's general spirit. It's funny in an absurdist way. Pirate Captain has a little bit more edge in the book, but still comically bumbling. That the story was full of anachronisms and unrealistic ship travel speed, and yet historical and scientific anecdotes in the footnotes was a nice touch. If you want a quick and silly read, this is the book for you.
Anachronisms vs real facts
Slapstick and hi-jinx
I've seen the Aardman film based on this book and that movie definitely captured the book's general spirit. It's funny in an absurdist way. Pirate Captain has a little bit more edge in the book, but still comically bumbling. That the story was full of anachronisms and unrealistic ship travel speed, and yet historical and scientific anecdotes in the footnotes was a nice touch. If you want a quick and silly read, this is the book for you.
There's certainly many things you can call The Pirates! but one adjective that sticks out indelibly is unique. [a:Gideon Defoe|83082|Gideon Defoe|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1345407428p2/83082.jpg] conceives a plot that definitely feels like he got a typical, generic pirate adventure novel, [a:Lemony Snicket|36746|Lemony Snicket|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1199734355p2/36746.jpg], [b:The Vile Victorians|2049963|The Vile Victorians (Horrible Histories)|Terry Deary|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348096853s/2049963.jpg|116331] and a dirty joke book and bundled them together into a pretty weird blender and just mixed it all up. Whatever you're thinking probably doesn't even cut it. "But I've seen the movie!", you might say, so have I, but that doesn't cut it either; for one, there's no Queen Vic in this book and good ol' Aardman completely bastardized its source material into a kiddie-friendly animation which, judging by Gideon Defoe's writing, he probably didn't like all that much. And frankly, the movie is better.
However, there's still fun to be had. Charles Darwin!
Vanishing ladies to do with the EEVVILL Bishop!
A MANPANZEE!!
It's all good, British fun and anyone with a slightly offbeat, sardonic humour shall find the idiotic Pirate Captain and his motley crew convivial to be around, and at only two hundred pages, it never outstays its welcome. I have to show that Queen Victoria photo again; everything's better with a little Mrs Brown.
However, there's still fun to be had. Charles Darwin!
Vanishing ladies to do with the EEVVILL Bishop!
A MANPANZEE!!
It's all good, British fun and anyone with a slightly offbeat, sardonic humour shall find the idiotic Pirate Captain and his motley crew convivial to be around, and at only two hundred pages, it never outstays its welcome. I have to show that Queen Victoria photo again; everything's better with a little Mrs Brown.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Death, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
The story itself isn't as good as the title. But then, what could be?