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violinknitter's review against another edition
4.0
I read this ages & ages ago, and had forgotten all about it until I saw two friends discussing it on Goodreads. Fun to revisit!
nicktomjoe's review against another edition
4.0
A light comedy of manners that doesn’t disappoint. Bubbles of self-importance are burst, the pecking order of a family is subtly shifted, and Zero the dog learns to fetch. There are laugh-out-loud moments, some keen descriptions of a family that take themselves too seriously, and even some fond depictions of summer meadows. Cresswell has some great lines, some affectionate jesting at families, and a good meditation on how family - even one as bizarre as the Bagthorpes - rub along together, with the small triumphs and disasters of family life.
mat_tobin's review against another edition
5.0
One of the ten books in the Bagthorpe Saga, Ordinary Jack was my first foray into the work of Helen Cresswell (who has over 100 titles under her belt). Never have I laughed so much in reading any book (and I have read a lot of funntybooks): the anarchic lifestyle of the Bagthorpe family ( based upon the author's own family) is as horrifying as it is wholly entertaining.
Poor Jack is surrounded by savant-esque siblings and parents. As the youngest, he feels that there are no specialisms or skill left for him to excel at and, anyway, he's not quite that sort of person. He's more interested in his dog and comics than reading Voltaire or playing the violin. But when the rather wily Uncle Parker notices the injustice in his nephew's standing, he proposes a plan that will Jack appear from from ordinary.
I don't think I can celebrate enough the comedy in this book. Although the plot was thin on the ground, its function was to allow space for the characters to flourish and flex and they do this in huge spades. The whole book felt as it had once been a script of Mr. Bagthorpe's writing, translated into a novel format. Utterly wonderful.
Poor Jack is surrounded by savant-esque siblings and parents. As the youngest, he feels that there are no specialisms or skill left for him to excel at and, anyway, he's not quite that sort of person. He's more interested in his dog and comics than reading Voltaire or playing the violin. But when the rather wily Uncle Parker notices the injustice in his nephew's standing, he proposes a plan that will Jack appear from from ordinary.
I don't think I can celebrate enough the comedy in this book. Although the plot was thin on the ground, its function was to allow space for the characters to flourish and flex and they do this in huge spades. The whole book felt as it had once been a script of Mr. Bagthorpe's writing, translated into a novel format. Utterly wonderful.
marzipanbabies's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
vrentriliq's review
5.0
One of those books that you'll read as a child.
And remember!
All in all, one of my favourites.
You've read the review? Go on, read the book.
And remember!
All in all, one of my favourites.
You've read the review? Go on, read the book.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review against another edition
5.0
I fell in love with all the characters in this book, the members of the crazy Bagthorpe family. The story centers on Jack, who feels too ordinary in comparison to his siblings and parents, all of whom have many Strings in their Bow. His wacky Uncle Parker dreams up a scheme to make the family think Jack has prophetic powers. The scheme works quite well, actually, with prophecies fulfilled about Lavender Men and Brown Bears. All the while the dad breaks his arm trying to stand on his head and the mom is quite busy solving people’s Problems and we can’t forget Rosie who loves to set fires here and there.
mat_tobin's review against another edition
5.0
One of the ten books in the Bagthorpe Saga, Ordinary Jack was my first foray into the work of Helen Cresswell (who has over 100 titles under her belt). Never have I laughed so much in reading any book (and I have read a lot of funntybooks): the anarchic lifestyle of the Bagthorpe family ( based upon the author's own family) is as horrifying as it is wholly entertaining.
Poor Jack is surrounded by savant-esque siblings and parents. As the youngest, he feels that there are no specialisms or skill left for him to excel at and, anyway, he's not quite that sort of person. He's more interested in his dog and comics than reading Voltaire or playing the violin. But when the rather wily Uncle Parker notices the injustice in his nephew's standing, he proposes a plan that will Jack appear from from ordinary.
I don't think I can celebrate enough the comedy in this book. Although the plot was thin on the ground, its function was to allow space for the characters to flourish and flex and they do this in huge spades. The whole book felt as it had once been a script of Mr. Bagthorpe's writing, translated into a novel format. Utterly wonderful.
Poor Jack is surrounded by savant-esque siblings and parents. As the youngest, he feels that there are no specialisms or skill left for him to excel at and, anyway, he's not quite that sort of person. He's more interested in his dog and comics than reading Voltaire or playing the violin. But when the rather wily Uncle Parker notices the injustice in his nephew's standing, he proposes a plan that will Jack appear from from ordinary.
I don't think I can celebrate enough the comedy in this book. Although the plot was thin on the ground, its function was to allow space for the characters to flourish and flex and they do this in huge spades. The whole book felt as it had once been a script of Mr. Bagthorpe's writing, translated into a novel format. Utterly wonderful.
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