A Review of The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip
Move over, Bill Bennett—the inimitable short story master George Saunders ... read full description
reviews
Mar 04, 2009
Shannon
rated it: 
While the underlying message behind this allegory is not the most original, the premise, and relationship between the goats/gappers/3 families in the town of Frip, is. Plus the gapeprs in general are rather hilarious, though I felt bad for the goats (The gappers, little tennis-ball-like eye-covered beasts love the goats and shriek with joy when upon them, but it makes the goats lie down, sad). Anyway.. the illustrations are AWESOME and elevate the book to a whole new level of enjoyable-ness. Als
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Dec 27, 2007
Jeffrey
rated it:
Is this a kid's book? Maybe, but I wouldn't recommend that a very young child read it, or even look at the pictures - it could be scary. Adults will find it thought provoking.
In Frip, people act with blissful ignorance, accepting the world as it is as though they understand it, but they don't. Their ignorance leads to catastrophe for a few of them, and the thoughtful determination of one character leads her to success, all through trial and error.
In today's modern worl More...
In Frip, people act with blissful ignorance, accepting the world as it is as though they understand it, but they don't. Their ignorance leads to catastrophe for a few of them, and the thoughtful determination of one character leads her to success, all through trial and error.
In today's modern worl More...
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Jun 02, 2008
Woodge
rated it: 
Read this for the third time (it’s 84 pages, illustrated) and this time I did it aloud to Luke. It’s the story of a girl named Capable living in the town of Frip who’s exhausted from her job of brushing off gappers from her goats on a daily basis. Gappers are baseball-sized, multi-eyed creatures that adhere themselves to goats and then shriek joyfully. The goats get put out. Capable’s neighbors are buffoons and she comes up with a plan. It’s a bizarre and occasionally funny tale which has t
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Oct 29, 2011
Eric
rated it:
I already read this book to my son earlier this year, and I was pleasantly surprised when he asked me to read it again. He almost never asks me to read chapter books to him again, and the fact that he chose this bizarre modern folk tale leads me to believe he may be a chip off the old block.
Gappers are little spiky orange creatures that crawl out of the sea and attach themselves to goats. They love goats very much and scream in ecstasy when they are attached to one. Neither the goats n More...
Gappers are little spiky orange creatures that crawl out of the sea and attach themselves to goats. They love goats very much and scream in ecstasy when they are attached to one. Neither the goats n More...
Dec 17, 2009
Kate
rated it:
Infestation! Neighbor rivalry! White-painted foods! This book has it all, and in the most killer illustrations ever. I would seriously like to frame one of the pages with the movers. Also, Capable is the best girl's name ever.
Once in Berkeley this used bookstore had a bunch of leftover copies of this book for like $3 each, so I bought them all and left them all over for people to find and enjoy. I would do this again.
Once in Berkeley this used bookstore had a bunch of leftover copies of this book for like $3 each, so I bought them all and left them all over for people to find and enjoy. I would do this again.
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May 12, 2007
Preeta
rated it:
Did anyone need another reason to love George Saunders? The protagonist of this delightful book is a sweet, weary, serious little girl called Capable, who's been holding the household together since her mom died. You'll wish she were real just so you could meet her and hug her.
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Feb 07, 2012
Linda
rated it: 
While some might think this is a children's book, my sister, the children's librarian, has to think it is a morality tale for grown-ups. The moral is: be kind to one another. Or maybe, be compassionate and helpful to your fellow occupants of the space you are living in... because, sometimes you need help and if you aren't good to the others on your patch, you may not come out ahead. Or something like that. The illustrations are neat, but I found some of the illustrations, especially of the
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Apr 07, 2010
Lbsantini
rated it:
The story of Capable, a young girl who has to figure her own way out of her gapper-infested existence. She gives up on the old ways of Frip, and shows her uncharitable, high-minded neighbors and emotionally absent father, how to be generous, smart and well . . . capable!
I read part of this story to my college reading students during a discussion of making mental pictures as you read. After listening, they sketched their gappers and compared drawings. They discussed the images of Frip More...
I read part of this story to my college reading students during a discussion of making mental pictures as you read. After listening, they sketched their gappers and compared drawings. They discussed the images of Frip More...
Feb 04, 2011
Megan
rated it:
I got on a George Saunders kick after reading an article in my uncle's GQ written by him. (http://www.gq.com/news-politics/big-issu...). His style instantly made me want to read more by him. His fiction though is SO different from his non-fiction/journalism. I like me some weird, imaginative world-building elements but after two books of his (this one and The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil) I had to call it quits. I still think he's fabulously talented, but I'm still waiting for something I
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Nov 08, 2010
Angela
rated it:
I thought my George Saunders collection would remain incomplete for this delightful little book is currently POS. Luckily, my recent visit to Powell's-Portland proved fruitful and I walked away with a lovely copy of this illustrated tale. Very much in the vein of a fable or folktalke, Saunders and Smith combine their magics making this one rare potion and a delicious treat. It's odd, yet thoughtful. And wild, yet sane. It's no surprise that I'd love this one. The duo is a talented one and I
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Feb 10, 2012
This was a 10 cent pick up at the Ithaca used book sale.
Like all children's pictures books I initially go for the illustrations to jump out at me.
I loved the jarring colorful pictures in this strange little book.
I started it as a first time chapter book to "the little ones", my five and three year old daughters.
Such a fantastic surprise!
No idea it was an allegory on the Golden Rule.
I had to use VERY exuberant voices during the dialogue, or the three year More...
Like all children's pictures books I initially go for the illustrations to jump out at me.
I loved the jarring colorful pictures in this strange little book.
I started it as a first time chapter book to "the little ones", my five and three year old daughters.
Such a fantastic surprise!
No idea it was an allegory on the Golden Rule.
I had to use VERY exuberant voices during the dialogue, or the three year More...
Dec 31, 2010
Matt
rated it:
Funny, clever, and with a good lesson -- I would expect no less from the (insufficient) reading I've previously done of Saunders's work. The story is warm-hearted and emotionally welcome, and Lane Smith's illustrations are charming and suit the mood of the story well. I still slightly prefer Saunders's story, "Lars Farf, Extraordinarily Fearful Husband and Father" (available in the McSweeney's collection with the incredibly long name, but which begins "Noisy Outlaws, Unfriendly
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Jan 22, 2008
Robert
rated it:
George Saunders, The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip (Villard, 2000)
Saunders (Pastoralia) and illustrator Lane Smith (The Stinky Cheese Man, James and the Giant Peach) team up to deliver this cautionary tale about helping your neighbors out of a jam. And while the story wears its moral far too plain on its face, the story itself, and the wonderfully twisted illustrations that accompany it, make it worth a read.
Capable and her father live in the very small town of Frip. It's s More...
Saunders (Pastoralia) and illustrator Lane Smith (The Stinky Cheese Man, James and the Giant Peach) team up to deliver this cautionary tale about helping your neighbors out of a jam. And while the story wears its moral far too plain on its face, the story itself, and the wonderfully twisted illustrations that accompany it, make it worth a read.
Capable and her father live in the very small town of Frip. It's s More...
Sep 14, 2007
Tracey
rated it:
Another pass-along from my mom, I picked up The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip as a quickie read.
Ostensibly a children's book, we visit the tiny village of Frip, a goat herding community plagued by gappers - baseball-sized creatures with multiple eyes, a shrieking voice and an abiding love of goats. The goats fare poorly when adored by the gappers, so the children of the town are assigned to remove the gappers and dump them in the sea.
This is where the persistence comes More...
Ostensibly a children's book, we visit the tiny village of Frip, a goat herding community plagued by gappers - baseball-sized creatures with multiple eyes, a shrieking voice and an abiding love of goats. The goats fare poorly when adored by the gappers, so the children of the town are assigned to remove the gappers and dump them in the sea.
This is where the persistence comes More...
Feb 07, 2009
Kevin
rated it:
A curious children's book by one of my favorite short story writers. It's dark, not for the events in it, but because of the rationalizations of selfishness and apathy of human nature depicted. I think those parts would go over a kid's head, but those are also the most interesting, humorous parts of the story. It ends sweetly enough, but I don't know who the intended audience is. To me it read more like one of his regular stories. That said, it's a cute one, and the illustrations are beautiful.
Mar 14, 2011
daniel
rated it:
'true,' said beverly. 'although the type of boy i like? he is the type of boy who likes the type of girl who not only never falls over, but rarely even moves. because she is so graceful. she just strands there absolutely still while looking very pretty. such as this.'
'such as this here,' said gloria. 'what we're going to do right now.'
and both ronsen girls stood very still, and looked sort of pretty, if you like the kind of girl who, to look sort of pretty, has to stand very still.
'such as this here,' said gloria. 'what we're going to do right now.'
and both ronsen girls stood very still, and looked sort of pretty, if you like the kind of girl who, to look sort of pretty, has to stand very still.
Nov 19, 2008
Adam
rated it: 
This is, in a way, a variation on the classic children’s story The Little Red Hen. Unfortunately, it is also heavy-handed, deeply cynical, and mean-spirited. The author has a very low view of ordinary people and obviously takes great delight in depicting most of the characters here as despicable, narrow-minded fools. Only one small put-upon girl, Capable, and her late, sainted mother are shown to be decent folk--and they come off as near-perfect. So, yes, it’s a story of extremes, and simpli
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Jul 15, 2011
Kayla
rated it:
I originally picked this book up at a thrift store because I was drawn to the adorable illustrations! Later, after reading the book, I learned that Lane Smith, the illustrator, is the same illustrator that did The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, The Stinky Cheese Man, and James and the Giant Peach! Some of my favorites!! The concept behind the book was cute and the fantasy was perfect for kids! I'm glad I picked this book up =]
Feb 12, 2010
Thurston
rated it: 
I had high hopes for this based on Saunders' "CivilWarLand" but in reading this to the boys, it seemed a bit wordy and somewhere between kid-clever and adult-clever. Sure the message is fine, and Lane Smith's artwork was a nice complement to the story, but overall this was just okay for us.
Although some lines like, "I certainly wouldn't start fishing about it" were plenty enjoyable.
Might have been a case of the too-high hopes.
Although some lines like, "I certainly wouldn't start fishing about it" were plenty enjoyable.
Might have been a case of the too-high hopes.
Apr 09, 2010
D.M.
rated it:
In this quick fun read you will find out what happens to a little girl named Capable and her neighbors when the Gappers invade their yards and drain their goats of their energy. With a wink at Roald Dahl, George Saunders book takes you on a quirky journey that is very entertaining. The amazing and whimsical artwork is by Lane Smith, the same artist who did James and the Giant Peach.
Nov 16, 2009
Rachel
rated it:
A fantastic fairy tale for adults or a complex story for children? Probably a mix of both. Charmingly quirky illustrations lend flavor to a tale of the Golden rule disregarded, and the story is told with great humor and wit. Young Capable is a perfect heroine and model for how to deal with all the gappers in our lives.
Mar 04, 2011
Jim Pascual Agustin
rated it:
This was another one of those accidental treasure finds at the public library. This quirky little book may look like it's for kids, but nope, adults with functioning brains will definitely love this one. The burning question that is never thrown at the reader is - What if it was you?
It's a fantastic tale - with amazing illustrations! - that never lets up on the fun while niggling at your conscience, much like the persistent gappers themselves. I wonder if a kind soul would give me a co More...
It's a fantastic tale - with amazing illustrations! - that never lets up on the fun while niggling at your conscience, much like the persistent gappers themselves. I wonder if a kind soul would give me a co More...
Jul 16, 2009
This book is incredible! It is was written for children, but I first read it in a sociology class. The storyline is simple, but has profound implications about the functions of society and how we interpret and explain the things that happen to us in the world, even if they are based on chance.
Dec 05, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
I must have been a bad mood when I read this book because while I loved the title and artwork, the message came across as bleak and a bit politically biased. Maybe the next time I read it, I should put myself in a different state of mind and decide if I truly dislike the book.
Nov 03, 2009
Brad
rated it:
If you like Max Lucado's picture books, you will love the Gappers. A moral tale of industry, integrity, self-reliance and charity. The illustrations are delightful as well.
Hard to find these days as it is out of print, but a worthy find.
Hard to find these days as it is out of print, but a worthy find.
Dec 02, 2008
Hayden
rated it:
I feel that this book offers many of the lessons of the Bush administration, but in a much more palatable format. For instance: "Just because a lot of people are saying the same thing loudly over and over, doesn't mean it's true."
Aug 28, 2008
Justin
rated it:
The illustrations in this book are worth the price of admission!!! I love Lane Smith's stuff in general, but in this book he has really stretched his artistic self and drawn a masterpiece. I would love to have full size paintings from this book all throughout my writing den!!! The story is fun and the characters well drawn. I actually have given about ten copies of this book to friends and family members. I would love to see Smith do a lot more of this style of book. By the way, he is the s
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Oct 14, 2009
R.
rated it:
A very awesome story about community and self-sufficiency and shrieking fencelines by one of the most gifted American writers working today. And it was autographed "To the Richland Library - GS, 2008"
Jan 07, 2011
Heather
rated it:
What an interesting, intriguing book! I loved the illustrations, and the whimsicality of the tale, which, by the way, worked on SO many levels. Great for kids and adults alike!
Aug 29, 2010
Sean
rated it:
I liked this story because it is funny and the pictures were very strange looking (and so were the characters). Gappers are little yellow balls that like to sit on goats.
