Castaways of the Flying Dutchman

Rating:
Summary: Good!
Review: This book was really great. I loved it! It was interesting and unique, and unlike Jacques' other books it was about humans. Like those books, this book also contained a fantasy element. After escaping the vengeful anger of an angel, Neb, aka Ben, is given the power to speak, whereas he had been mute. He communicates with his dog, and together they are a team. They escaped the wrate of the angel only because they were noble at heart, and because of their qualities they were given the task of traveling around the world forever to help people in need. Their task leads them to a small English village, and together they take on many forces such as the powers of corporations and business and the power of "gangs." Oh yes, and like all Redwall books, there is a riddle. The riddle must be solved for the team of "good guys" to outwit the team of "bad guys." And in the end, they do, of course. They solve the riddle, win the game, and all live happily ever after. A few things I didn't like about this book. I loved the fact that this plot was lighthearted, but the Grange Gang? Please. Just a bunch of kids that they have to face so that they can make it in the end. The Grange Gang was a group of kids who were led by the infamous Smithers boy, and together they terrorized the town of Chapelvale. They terrified all the other kids, and in short, they were just big bullies. Bullies, that is, until Ben came to town. Well, I better stop now before I give anything else away!

Rating:
Summary: Castaways of the Flying Dutchman
Review: This book's a 5 star plus! Why? Because it provided exciting, well written literature for my 9 year old son to read. Like other good readers his age, he's looking for something to totally capture his mind and provide thought provoking scenerios to contemplate. Those that negatively compare it to other Jacque's books miss an important point. I don't believe the author EVER intended this book to be targeted to the adult reader, but rather to be one that would capture a younger audience (as well as the occasional adult reader). This was an exciting book for a younger reader and has proved to be especially appealing for other boys that it has been loaned to.

Rating:
Summary: Great book- odd theme
Review: This boook starts out as a fast-paced adventure story of a mute boy and his dog. They get caught board the doomed ship, The Flying Dutchman. The boy soon becomes the ship's Galley Boy. As the ship aproaches dangerous waters and after the captain is almost murdered, the captain gets out of control. A fantastical spirit curses the ship but the spares boy and dog, giving them an unexpected gift. the duo, now must travel from town to town where the are obligated to help the people there. This a great story, but it can occasionally go slowly.

Rating:
Summary: Magnificent!
Review: This is a book that I will remember always. It is on my 'favorites' list and I recommend it to any avid reader of any age. Brian Jacques has taken the tale of the Flying Dutchman as a base for this story. Neb/Ben is a young lad who rarely knew love or a kind word. He is dumb - unable to speak until he is washed ashore after being swept off the doomed Flying Dutchman. Together with his dog, Den/Ned, Ben travels through history never ageing, helping those in need.
Brian Jacques has taken two of Ben's and Ned's adventures and developed the story of the Castaways. The first is rather short, telling how Ben and Ned were washed ashore and rescued by a kind shepherd. Ben has been given the ability to speak and is told by an angel that his mission is to help those in need. He can stay in one place til he hears the sound of a bell, then he and Ned must move on.
The second part of this book is in the 'present' and tells how the travelers help an elderly widow. There is mystery, humor, and excitement as they race against time to save the villagers from the greed of developers. Ben and Ned can communicate through their thoughts and are a formadible team. Ben shows compassion and wisdom beyond his 'years' in dealing with others. My oldest son (19) just completed the book and his only complaint is that he wished that there had been more of the shorter vignettes, rather than one long second story.
I have read all of Brian Jacques books and consider this one of the best. I hope he will develop it into a series as he did the Redwall books.

Rating:
Summary: Castaways of the Flying Dutchman rules
Review: This is a great book about a boy named Neb and his dog Denmark who saves him from the ship that gets tossed and turned during storm. He is a great character if you think that redwall is good (I'm a redwall fan) than you will really want to buy this book

Rating:
Summary: Mr. Jacques outdoes himself with this book
Review: This is better than nearly every book in the Redwall series. Ben and Ned are saved by an angel when the Flying Dutchman is cursed. There is one catch though (figures): they can live forever if they do good deeds for people. They live with a sheperd and journey to hopefully greener pastures into a small town. This small town is about to be bought by a large company unless the villagers produce the deed for the land. Ben and Ned go on a harrowing adventure in the great riddle-style that Brian Jacques is so good at writing. If you don't want to sink your teeth into a 15 book Redwall series, you can read this saga of independent companions which don't have to be read in order, although I guess is the same for Redwall. 5 STARS!!!

Rating:
Summary: This was a great book!
Review: This is one of my favorite books. I love all the books by brian Jacques, but this has to be one of the best. It takes a few hundred years ago. A mute boy named Neb is stuck on a boat the Flying dutchman and is a slave sorta. He meets a black lab he names Denmark and is then shipwrecked, but suprisingly an angel has given them both speach only the dog can only talk to Ned.

Rating:
Summary: Will there be a sequel to fill in the missed years?
Review: This is one of those interesting tales that leads the reader to question what happened "in between". Enjoyable because it deals with the mystery of the imfamous Flying Dutchman and what could have happened to sailors aboard the ship. A boy and a dog? Well, stranger tales have been told. Try following the book "Holes" and you will know what I mean. The main characters get their names changed. OK, but why? Is the poem the answer? The plot definitely deals with the problems in the village and the plan for industrialization. The setting is really not described in as much detail as the Redwall series. The style is almost like the Redwall series because I can hear the author "writing" the words. The theme of good versus evil is prevalent and I liked the fact that the main character never wants to "fight". Pressure points on their bodies or moving so quickly leads the bad guys/girls into sad situations. A fast read and almost predictable outcome for the well read. If I were to guess...perhaps Brian Jacques has plans to "fill in the blanks". I say go for it. PS Does this remind you of an Indianna Jones type of book?

Rating:
Summary: Very Good Book to Read for All Ages (at least i think so)
Review: This was an excellent book.The characters were funny. The whole book was funny, scary, exciting, and had suspense. My sister, teacher, dad, and a couple of my friends were intrested in it. I am only going to lend it to reliable people because i don't want it ruined, lost, or not returned. My favorite characters are Neb the boy(also known as: Nebu, Ben, and another name which I'm not even going tto try to spell!) Den the dog (also known as: Denmark and Ned!)my final and third favorite is Horatio the cat who is owned by Mrs. Winn. Neb and Den are castaway from the phantom ship *The Flying Dutchmen* since they were the good aboard the evil they were forever destined to do good deeds. This book is a HUGE MUST!!!!! You HAVE to read it if you want to read a good book. PLEASE ENJOY YOURSELF AND READ IT FOR YOUR OWN GOOD!!!

Rating:
Summary: A Breathtaking Book
Review: This wonderful story of a boy and his dog is an upbeat, swift novel, that will leave you hungry for more. This book is so upbeat that ANYONE could be lifted away with it. If you hate to read, if you love to read, if you've never read Brian Jacques or if you love him to death, this is definatly a keeper. This book will entertain young and old as never entertained before, and only the magic of Brian Jacques could acomplish this!