An action-packed fictional telling of the events on the HMS Bounty.
Fourteen-year-old John Jacob Turnstile has gotten into trouble wi... read full description
Fourteen-year-old John Jacob Turnstile has gotten into trouble wi... read full description
reviews
Aug 05, 2010
Krait
rated it: 
While based on historical fact, this book tells the story of the famous mutiny from the point of Bligh's cabin boy. While Bligh's real servant was Able Seaman John Smith, age 36, this story replaces him with 14 year old ex-pickpocket John Jacob Turnstile, who has never been to sea before. The book is a clever coming of age story based on Turnstile, and one which paints Fletcher Christian in a far more sinister light than most other works.
Boyne is a master story teller as evidenced More...
Boyne is a master story teller as evidenced More...
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Oct 02, 2009
Debbie
rated it:
Had previously enjoyed Boy in striped pyjamas and wanted to read more by this author.
For those who dont like spoilers and are unfamilar with this tale Im afraid the title really does give things away. Dont worry though the book is very exiting and the events leading up to and after the mutiny is where the real story is to be found.
Although Turnstile is a fictional charactor it does not detract from the true events, as the all seeing all hearing cabin boy he provides the More...
For those who dont like spoilers and are unfamilar with this tale Im afraid the title really does give things away. Dont worry though the book is very exiting and the events leading up to and after the mutiny is where the real story is to be found.
Although Turnstile is a fictional charactor it does not detract from the true events, as the all seeing all hearing cabin boy he provides the More...
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Oct 29, 2011
Peter
rated it: 
The story of Captain William Bligh and Mr Fletcher Christian from the point of view of the captain's cabin boy John Jacob Turnstile. Turnstile is not a historical figure; he replaces the real-life captain's steward John Smith. He is a 14 year-old pickpocket who faces the choice of jail or joining the Bounty crew after being caught redhanded. It is a difficult transition to sea life for Turnstile who is terribly sea-sick at first and then variously picked on and envied by the crew. You get the st
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Aug 13, 2009
Lisa
rated it: 
This was truly one of the best books I have ever read. Probably the number one reason it was was because of the language that John Boyne used to tell the story. It is told from the perspective of a 14 year old boy who is put on the Bounty as payment for petty crimes. And his "voice" is HILARIOUS and just so unique! I'm not sure if the author researched the time and certain word usage from then or if he invented such words as "scut" or "motions". But not just th
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Feb 16, 2010
Joaquim
rated it:
This book was offered to me and, having read some good critics about the author's previous books, specially "The Boy in Striped Pajamas", I was looking forward to check how this book was and put my dislike of nautical adventures behind my back.
The books tells the (mis)adventures of 14 year old John Jacob Turnstile on board the HMS Bounty from his own thoughts and words. Turnstile gets the position of Captain's servant boy as an alternative to spend time in jail after gettin More...
The books tells the (mis)adventures of 14 year old John Jacob Turnstile on board the HMS Bounty from his own thoughts and words. Turnstile gets the position of Captain's servant boy as an alternative to spend time in jail after gettin More...
Aug 08, 2011
Missy
rated it:
It actually wasnt that bad, considering i hadnt heard many good things about the book, it turned out to be good story. I was aware of the story of the Bounty, but the insight from the character of John Jacob Turnstile added a wonderful element as the Captain's servant boy. Told through Turnstile's voice, we follow the journey of the Bounty as it heads towards Tahiti and then to the eventual mutiny. Well written and researched, it was a good story in all, not the finest work ever written but defi
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May 11, 2010
Barbara
rated it:
This wonderful adventure story is told in first person narrative by John Jacob Turnstile, a 14 year old boy, who picked the pocket of a gentleman browsing books in the market and soon finds himself facing a twelve month jail sentence. The gentleman offers Turnstile a choice of becoming a valet for the captain of a ship soon to sail rather than going to jail for a year.
The story follows Turnstile’s days on board the ship with his critical eye to everyone ‘above’ his rank, his insolent More...
The story follows Turnstile’s days on board the ship with his critical eye to everyone ‘above’ his rank, his insolent More...
Feb 20, 2010
SillySuzy
rated it:
A new take on the Bounty story as seen from the perspective of John Jacob Turnstile, Captain Bligh's servant boy. Of course the story itself doesnot hold any surprises as it is so well known. What I like about it is that none of the protagonists is penalized, every bad person has good traits and vice versa. The reader is sort of invited to make up his/her own mind as to who was wrong/right or good/bad. And of course you have to set everything against the time, late 18th century, when it was thou
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Oct 25, 2010
Brian
rated it:
I enjoyed this book very much! I read it while I was sitting outside along the shore of Fox Lake.
It centers around John Jacob Turnstile. He is caught pick-pocketing and is sent to be the personal valet for the captain of the Bounty. He sides with the captain during the mutiny so he is also sent adrift. I also enjoyed the descriptions of sea life during that time period.
A very good sea adventure based on a true story.
It centers around John Jacob Turnstile. He is caught pick-pocketing and is sent to be the personal valet for the captain of the Bounty. He sides with the captain during the mutiny so he is also sent adrift. I also enjoyed the descriptions of sea life during that time period.
A very good sea adventure based on a true story.
Aug 31, 2009
Bex
rated it:
Written from the POV of the captain's servant-boy, this is a well written description of the events on the Bounty from sail-up to mutiny.
Written in as simple manner, it is thorough and I enjoyed the innocence shown through the eyes of Turnstile. Fairly lengthy as well I think future readers may get bored of the prose easliy but for me it was a fantastic adventure story and a touching recollection of emotional growth from puberty.
Written in as simple manner, it is thorough and I enjoyed the innocence shown through the eyes of Turnstile. Fairly lengthy as well I think future readers may get bored of the prose easliy but for me it was a fantastic adventure story and a touching recollection of emotional growth from puberty.
Dec 04, 2011
Josiah
rated it: 
"Mutiny" gives a first-hand retelling of those tumultuous two years aboard H.M.S. Bounty from the viewpoint of captain's boy John Jacob Turnstile, in a realistic retelling of daily life on a British naval ship in the late 1700's. Tedious work, boredom, and hunger trades place with breathless excitement - and back again - as the crew make their way from Spithead, England to Cape Horn, South America to Cape of Good Hope, Africa to Otaheite to Timor and eventually back home to England. Th
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Aug 01, 2011
Interesting perspective on the famous Mutiny from the eyes of a 14 yr old boy dragged to sea to escape a harsh jail sentence and his experiences. From the streets of Portsmouth to the high seas to the mutiny and the miraculous survival of 19 men in a launch, an intriguing insight into the motivations of and survival instincts of men in high and low circumstances.
Nov 04, 2010
Mike
rated it:
A charming book that I very much enjoyed.
Having read many years ago the original account of Mutiny on the Bounty, and having seen three screen versions of the story, I wonder how accurate and true to life this version of the story is. Unfortunately, there is little information I could find in support of it's authenticity.
Never mind, it remains an entertainment and worth reading.
Having read many years ago the original account of Mutiny on the Bounty, and having seen three screen versions of the story, I wonder how accurate and true to life this version of the story is. Unfortunately, there is little information I could find in support of it's authenticity.
Never mind, it remains an entertainment and worth reading.
Nov 12, 2011
Caroline
rated it:
Very interesting novel about the mutiny of the Bounty by Fletcher Christian and the subsequent amazing survival of William Bligh and his supporters. I did really enjoy it but moving straight on to an Ian McEwan the quality of writing was in stark contrast, it's a good and interesting book but don't expect anything like a McEwan.
Sep 20, 2011
Caroline
rated it:
Very interesting novel about the mutiny of the Bounty by Fletcher Christian and the subsequent amazing survival of William Bligh and his supporters. I did really enjoy it but moving straight on to an Ian McEwan the quality of writing was in stark contrast, it's a good and interesting book but don't expect anything like a McEwan.
Apr 22, 2009
Gamze
rated it:
This book is from the same writer who wrote The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, but the story couldn't be more different!
Of course I didn't expect it to be the same story, don't get me wrong, but I at least expected some of the magic that the story of The Boy had! It didn't. It was just a normal book/story, nothing amazing or anything... so you could say I had high expectations for this one and was let down.
Of course I didn't expect it to be the same story, don't get me wrong, but I at least expected some of the magic that the story of The Boy had! It didn't. It was just a normal book/story, nothing amazing or anything... so you could say I had high expectations for this one and was let down.
Aug 04, 2011
I loved it. Despite my inability to read a book without falling a sleep at the moment I managed to stay awake for this and couldn't wait to get back to it each time I put it down! John Boyne has a way of writing which draws you in and makes everything real.
Aug 10, 2011
La vicenda è raccontata dal servitore del comandante con obiettività soddisfacente e, pare, rigore storico, come attesta la bibliografia presentata in coda.
Lineare, commovente quanto basta.
Lineare, commovente quanto basta.
Jul 25, 2010
Chris
rated it:
Good read better than the films - i liked the way the point of view was from the captain's servant (fictitious character) which enabled all the action to be observed from a thrid person.
Mar 15, 2009
Stephanie / seenonflickr
rated it:
I wish I could give it 3.5 stars. I liked it, but it wasn't spectacular. It's really quite the rah-rah Bligh, anti-Fletcher-Christian viewpoint. (Which is a perfectly valid opinion, right?)
But still. Maybe overly long...
But still. Maybe overly long...
Nov 06, 2009
Alia
rated it:
Fantastically written from the eyes of the Captains servant boy - Turnstile.
reminiscent at times of the Life of Pi.
John Boyne never fails to draw in the reader
reminiscent at times of the Life of Pi.
John Boyne never fails to draw in the reader
May 26, 2009
Linjea
rated it:
Een lekker leesboek. Het bekende verhaal van de muiterij op de Bounty, verteld vanuit het fictieve personage van de scheepsjongen John Jacob Turnstile. Fijn leesvoer.
Jun 17, 2008
Philip
rated it:
An unusual choice of subject by the author of The Boy On The Striped Pyjamas, as it's such a familiar tale, but Boyne manages to put an original spin on it by casting Captain Bligh in the more sympathetic role and Fletcher Christian as the villain of the piece. (In the three filmed versions, it's always been the other way around). The 48 days spent adrift by the narrator (cabin boy John Jacob Turnstile) and his companions is a tour de force, because Boyne devotes one short chapter to each day an
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Oct 05, 2011
Linda
rated it:
Good boys read, clipped along at a good pace and made me want to find out nore about the history of the boat and the survivors outcome.
Sep 01, 2011
Kat
rated it:
Though there were a distracting number of continuity mistakes throughout the book, MUTINY is undeniably well written and has superb characterization. If it had been better edited, it would be a five-star book.
Aug 02, 2011
An excellent book about the infamous mutiny on the bounty as the title suggests! I loved the character if turnstile (turnip) and the writing style. Actually enjoyed this more than the famous boy in the striped pjs.
Apr 11, 2010
Melissa
rated it:
Possibly one of the top 5 books I have ever read...
Extremely interesting, funny and well written.
Loved it
Extremely interesting, funny and well written.
Loved it
Jan 10, 2010
Tracey
rated it:
I found this book quite brutal in its descriptions, but a great read. Ir really felt for the characters.
Aug 05, 2011
Really enjoyed the novel it was breath taking and the desciptions were very good.
Aug 03, 2011
I really enjoyed really what actually happened but from a different point of view
