Castaways of the Flying Dutchman

Rating:
Summary: I hope he doesn't screw this one up.
Review: When Brian Jacques announced that his next book would be 'Castaways of the Flying Dutchman', and that the book would have nothing to do with Redwall. I was a bit apprehensive at first. Numerous authors in the past have "branched" out from their genre and most have failed miserably. It's quite simple really, When I say Frank L. Baum most people will say OZ, when I say Edgar Allan Poe most people will say he wrote The Raven. So in respect if I say Brian Jacques most people will say Redwall. Can anyone name any of their other works? Not quite so many people can. So is Brian Jacques attempt to write a non-Redwall book a success?

In my eyes, it most certainly is. The book has a great start with the young mute boy who runs from his abusive father and brothers only to find himself on the cursed ship the "Flying Dutchman" and soon after, receives the name Nebuchadnezzer (Neb for short) and later a black lab' dog, the crew and boy calls Denmark (Den for short). The abuse he received from his old family pales in comparison to the abuse he receives from the Dutchman crew. An enraged captain and a cutthroat crew sail the ship and young Neb does everything he can to stay alive.

The Flying Dutchman legend is real, I have read and known the numerous legends regarding the forsaken ship and crew. So it comes as no surprise that Brian Jacques would draw his latest story from a legend like this. Did you know that before Brian Jacques wrote the Redwall books, he wrote a book called "Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales"? (I kind of prefer Scary Stories to tell in the Dark, but whatever.) So, naturally, Brian Jacques would be keenly aware of such a legend. Another intriguing aspect of his latest book is that it is very open ended. The story ends in such a fashion that it is guaranteed that Brian Jacques WILL write a second, third, maybe a fourth even.

I just hope that the series doesn't steal away from his Redwall books. Which is the one gripe that I have. The book has such a Redwall feel that it would be a simple thing to replace the characters in this book with the mice, rats, ferrets, hares and numerous other creatures from Redwall. Thankfully, Brian has attempted to steer away from the Redwall formula but the book still has that feel with a secret, puzzle and riddle that the character must solve and Brian Jacques has finally decided to leave the numerous songs and poems out of the book. His traditional style of including songs and poems in the book often feels too much like empty 'filler' material. Not that the songs are bad, just that the overuse of them is.

Overall, the book is really quite good and worth the price tag that Amazon.com is asking. I just hope that Brian Jacques doesn't stretch himself thin trying to write both of his popular book series.

-TigerPomme

Rating:
Summary: Passed with 'flying colors
Review: When I got 'Castaways' from a librarian, I thought- 'Hmmm, interesting.' I didn't have very high expectations after reading his other works outside of the Redwall plot (Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales) which in my opinion were horrible.

But I was wrong. This tale about a mute boy and his dog, aboard the Flying Dutchman with cruel hearted crew members and a horrible captain. When the Angel curses the ship and its crew to eternal voyages, this young boy and his dog are passed over because of their innocence. With the boy receiveing the gift of speech and a telepathic connection with his dog, the are sent to help the oppressed people staying young forever....

Most of this book is centered on the boy and his dog helping an old lady to find clues that lead to the deed proving her ownership of the land and stopping the tyrannic developing company. Jaques uses the characteristic riddle-to-find-something-that-saves-everyone ideas that sprinkle the whole Redwall series. Personally, you get along a lot better not trying to solve the riddles- seeing as it takes the genius people in the books a while to finish.

A wonderful book, and I think you should buy it- fan of sword bearing rodents or not.

Rating:
Summary: i was wowed again
Review: when i picked up the book, i was in a hurry & i took it just because it was written by Brian Jacques! I didn't even realize it wasn't part of the redwall series, but after reading it, I loved it, and if u love the redwall series, this book is just as good!!!

Rating:
Summary: A captivating philosophical fantasy
Review: While I didn't quite devour this book as fast as I may have some of Jacques' other books, I was nonetheless very impressed by it. In fact, I was much more impessed than I was with his Redwall books, not because it was more enjoyable but because it was more thought-provoking. The strange tale of the psychically-connected boy and dog moving through time allows readers to exercise their minds with philosopical and spiritual ideas. At the same time, the writing is very accessible. As these two qualities are not often found together, I highly recommend this book for readers who like a light read that still has some depth to it. The story also has an somewhat unique pace to it which I found very enjoyable. Overall, a great read!

Rating:
Summary: It's good to see Brian Jacques branching out --
Review: While many of his fans will be disappointed that this is not another in his Redwall series, I was happy to see Brian Jacques try something new. While certainly not his best book to date, it is an enjoyable read. I would have liked to see a stronger plot connection between the books three separate sections, but this is a minor complaint. Jacques does a wonderful job of characterization, and we feel as if we know each and every character personally. The settings are also wonderfully rendered in readable prose. The story is an enoyable read and left me wanting to know more of the adventures of a very special boy and his dog.

Rating:
Summary: embarrassing outing from otherwise great author
Review: Writing a fantasy novel about the Flying Dutchman is a fabulous idea. I was pretty excited to learn that not only was there a book based on this legend (which I have more than a passing interest in) but that it was by Brian Jacques, the author of my beloved Redwall series! However, Mr. Jacques seems to find pointless religious propaganda more interesting than the legend he titled his book after. Only the first 50 pages have anything to do with the Flying Dutchman. Afterwards, a scent or a sight might remind the main characters of their voyage on this ship, as though Jacques suddenly remembered what he had titled his book, and needed tie it back together quickly. The final, and most prominent, episode of this book feels like a very poorly constructed Redwall adventure. The characters dash about attempting to solve insultingly easy puzzles, while trying (and failing) to look cute. Evidentally, though Jacques may be adept at making fuzzy little animals lovable, he has no such skill with humans. This book is little more than the redwall formula with a different name and setting. Also, because it takes place in "our world", Jacques sees fit to fill this book with extremely trite and insulting religious propaganda.

I am willing to forget this book, and will continue to read everything Brian Jacques writes, but if he continues in this vein, I'll have to rethink my praise of him.