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isabelawith1l's review against another edition
5.0
This remains one of my favorite series of all time, definitely a comfort read.
kmfrieden's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
saraleacock's review against another edition
3.0
It's been a while since I've read this. I loved this book when I was younger. I still have a soft spot for it, but adult me definitely has a harder time ignoring the weaknesses in the dialogue, writing, and story. Still pretty fun.
achwahoo15's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the first books I really fell in love with and read several times over. Definitely preferred to "Redwall."
mythtaken_id's review against another edition
4.0
Classic and enjoyable example of Jacques' style, but this time with 100% more human characters!
readingthroughthelists's review against another edition
3.0
This is the kind of book whose title and cover are rather misleading: hearing 'Castaways of the Flying Dutchman' made me think I'd be reading some kind of pirate or seafaring novel, albeit with a captain and crew cursed to make an eternal voyage for their blasphemy.
For the first quarter, it was that kind of story, but then suddenly it switched into a totally different novel altogether and became a book about a small sleepy village about to be swallowed up in the yawning jaws of progress unless the original deed to the town can be found, setting off a village-wide treasure hunt. I felt as though I'd been promised Pirates of the Caribbean and instead ended up with Cranford, with a touch of The Boxcar Children thrown in for good measure. Perhaps I didn't read the description carefully enough, but either way the shift between the tales was jarring: from savage cruelty aboard The Flying Dutchman, where Neb endures truly horrific abuse at the hands of the sailors, to the petty tyranny of Smithers in Chapelvale, where the worst evils are the little gang of thugs employs by his son and maybe getting punched. These two experiences are no where near the same in intensity and am attempt to weave them together failed miserably. In addition, it's rare to read a book where the main characters are unashamedly perfect; in fact, it's their most important (one might argue only) character trait.
And yet, despite all this, the book manages to charm. The denizens of Chapelvale, while perhaps a bit idealized, are humorous and well-sketched, and serve as a gentle reminder that the little places of the world matter too. And it is satisfying to be once again reminded that the rule of tyrants, whether great or petty, will eventually come to an end.
*** I highly recommend the audio version of Castaways, which greatly enhanced the book's charm (and helped me decide to move on to the sequel): it's narrated by Jacques himself with a full cast of characters, each with proper accents.
For the first quarter, it was that kind of story, but then suddenly it switched into a totally different novel altogether and became a book about a small sleepy village about to be swallowed up in the yawning jaws of progress unless the original deed to the town can be found, setting off a village-wide treasure hunt. I felt as though I'd been promised Pirates of the Caribbean and instead ended up with Cranford, with a touch of The Boxcar Children thrown in for good measure. Perhaps I didn't read the description carefully enough, but either way the shift between the tales was jarring: from savage cruelty aboard The Flying Dutchman, where Neb endures truly horrific abuse at the hands of the sailors, to the petty tyranny of Smithers in Chapelvale, where the worst evils are the little gang of thugs employs by his son and maybe getting punched. These two experiences are no where near the same in intensity and am attempt to weave them together failed miserably. In addition, it's rare to read a book where the main characters are unashamedly perfect; in fact, it's their most important (one might argue only) character trait.
And yet, despite all this, the book manages to charm. The denizens of Chapelvale, while perhaps a bit idealized, are humorous and well-sketched, and serve as a gentle reminder that the little places of the world matter too. And it is satisfying to be once again reminded that the rule of tyrants, whether great or petty, will eventually come to an end.
*** I highly recommend the audio version of Castaways, which greatly enhanced the book's charm (and helped me decide to move on to the sequel): it's narrated by Jacques himself with a full cast of characters, each with proper accents.
spaceyfaerie's review against another edition
4.0
I like it, but Redwall is my favorite of his books. Still, very nice story.
ericvincent's review against another edition
5.0
This book is fantastic. Of course I may be biased because Brian Jacques was quite literally my favorite author when I was a kid. The book is a few shades darker and more mature than his Redwall series, but it is his keen descriptive ability and his ability to craft such memorable characters that really make this book such a rich and wonderful story.
raehink's review against another edition
3.0
A boy and his black Labrador are sent by an "angel" to forever roam the earth looking for those in need of help of some sort. 5th-grade reading level.
"...even as his dream raced on, over centuries, across seas, over mountains, through distant lands, wherever he and Ned had been sent to assist the oppressed in their struggle against villainy. He saw faces from the past, friends and enemies alike, felt the apprehension of arrival, the joy of being part of so many communities and the sorrow of having to depart and leave them behind. Always onward to fresh adventures, with his faithful, enchanging friend Ned."
"...even as his dream raced on, over centuries, across seas, over mountains, through distant lands, wherever he and Ned had been sent to assist the oppressed in their struggle against villainy. He saw faces from the past, friends and enemies alike, felt the apprehension of arrival, the joy of being part of so many communities and the sorrow of having to depart and leave them behind. Always onward to fresh adventures, with his faithful, enchanging friend Ned."