Reviews

Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling

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kandicez's review against another edition

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3.0

Not my favorite, but still Kipling.

nettelou's review against another edition

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fast-paced

4.0

malvord27's review

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adventurous inspiring slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jonahbarnes's review

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Great fun. I like the book for the length of Harvey’s life shown and the effects of hard work that bring about discipline of that life. Also, a good movie.

pastelwitch's review against another edition

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challenging informative lighthearted reflective slow-paced

3.0

leahreadsstuff's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Casual racism, and a whole lot of linguistic confusion due to accents is a recipe for a book that I didn’t love. The incessant and incoherent sailing jargon is also a chore to get through. However, in spite of those major issues, there is a compulsive readability to Kipling’s work that holds you captive. That, and the emotional through line of the story, makes for an entertaining and at times moving experience.

There are some profound thoughts and quotes scattered among the chaos. You have to keep an eye out for them, but they are well worth finding.

The book has only the bare bones in common with the movie. It’s not nearly as sentimental, and apart from the main driving plot, isn’t really comparable. I enjoyed parts of it. I wouldn’t necessarily be in a hurry to read it again, however.

verydazedragon's review against another edition

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I detest phonetic spelling, especially when the accents are not identified to the reader and we must puzzle out what on earth the mixture of vowels is meant to represent. Combined with the slow plot, I just couldn't get into it.