"Ay, 'twas a cruel, cruel thing to fire on so young a lad," Ratsey said, as he stepped back a pace to study the effect of a Bag that he was chisell...
read full description
reviews
Feb 18, 2011
Ethereal K.K.
rated it: 
As one of my All Time Favourites, Moonfleet is one I am sure I could read again and again without ever becoming tired of it.
4 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Mar 24, 2011
Bettie
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 04, 2010
Tony
rated it:
Falkner, J. Meade. MOONFLEET. (1898). ****. This is a young man’s action/adventure novel that rivals Treasure Island in narrative and writing quality. It is mostly read by young Englishmen, but now spills over into the U.S. in this handsome new edition by the Folio society. The author was a strange agglomeration of characteristics: he was classically educated, married but childless, and though the author os several novels, only this one for young adults. The novel begins “in the fall of
More...
Nov 18, 2011
Rusty
rated it:
Originally written in the 1800s, this story appealed to YA and adult readers alike. The tale is told by an orphan boy named John,who becomes entranced by the a story that has long been told in his community - Moonfleet. It is said that a huge diamond was hidden by a deceased roguen callrd Blackbeard who made life miserable for everyone else when he was alive. He lives with a kind innkeeper, Elzevir, whose son was murdered. Unfortunately, Elzevir and several others are involved in smuggling c
More...
Jul 04, 2011
I'm not adventure loving reader and first 50 pages seemed not to attract my attention. No tragic love, no aliens or fantasy worlds created by crazy author's imagionation - but describing young boy's pissing off. Maybe I just like to read about somebody's fail.
Anyway i have to finish it because of aqualung.
Anyway i have to finish it because of aqualung.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 29, 2011
Raj
rated it:
This is a children's adventure story that reminded me somewhat of Treasure Island. It's the story of John Trenchard, an orphan who takes up with a gang of smugglers (or 'gentlemen of the Contraband', as the book puts it) in his home village of Moonfleet and his search for the legendary lost treasure of 'Blackbeard' Mohune. I first read this story in English class at school and when I saw it going cheap, I picked it up, having forgotten everything whatsoever about it.
It's a fairly s More...
It's a fairly s More...
Mar 05, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
How I loved this book. I had never heard of it growing up but recently found a most intriguing blog post, which speaks to the power of a good book review. When a grown woman recommends a boy's adventure story, it bears looking into.
I haven't read Robert Louis Stevenson so can't say whether it is Treasure Island-lite (as another reviewer noted, I also expected pirates and found none, though there are smugglers, shipwrecks, and hidden treasure), but the imagery is beautiful, the lang More...
I haven't read Robert Louis Stevenson so can't say whether it is Treasure Island-lite (as another reviewer noted, I also expected pirates and found none, though there are smugglers, shipwrecks, and hidden treasure), but the imagery is beautiful, the lang More...
Jan 12, 2011
Ted
rated it: 
This story is an epic journey for young John Trechard. His quest to find Blackbeards treasure has twists and turns that lead to John growing up and finding what true love and friendship is all about. I found it a riveting tale. For those who enjoy this story you will find the singer/songwriter, Chris DeBurgh has composed a disc called Moonfleet. It contains 18 tracks that tell the story in an amazing way, through music. Read the book and then listen to the disc and you will not regret doing eith
More...
Feb 01, 2011
Morris
rated it:
Moonfleet by J Meade Falkner, a forgotten classic.
I have to admit I had never heard of Moonfleet before seeing its name in a list and thinking that a book with such a title had to be genius. While it was not the particular adventure that I was expecting (pirates!), it was a wonderful discovery.
I have since researched the book a little and have found that until the 1970s, it was a very well known book in the UK but for some reason has disappeared from the collective mind. This More...
I have to admit I had never heard of Moonfleet before seeing its name in a list and thinking that a book with such a title had to be genius. While it was not the particular adventure that I was expecting (pirates!), it was a wonderful discovery.
I have since researched the book a little and have found that until the 1970s, it was a very well known book in the UK but for some reason has disappeared from the collective mind. This More...
Jul 19, 2011
Derek
rated it:
In "Moonfleet" (1898) Fallkner completely jettisons the whole upper class setting and outside-information tradition of his "The Lost Stradivarius" to tell a riveting tale of small-town rum-runners on the English coast. It's closer to a pirate story than anything else, with hidden treasure, cave hideaways, a young hero and a selfless elder protector.
The town of Moonfleet is a wonderful little community, and one which, under another name, he resurrects in "The N More...
The town of Moonfleet is a wonderful little community, and one which, under another name, he resurrects in "The N More...
Jul 12, 2008
Johnny
rated it:
Falkner's late-nineteenth century tale of smugglers on the remote coast of southern England is a little bit Twain and a whole lot Stevenson, but despite the strong influences, it is enjoyable and often thrilling. Orphan John Trenchard falls in with the only men in his small village of Moonfleet who care about him, but it turns out they are smugglers, landing spirits to circumvent the steep tarriffs imposed by the revenuers who seem to have their spies all around. An ambush, a ghost story, a trea
More...
Sep 06, 2010
Deb
rated it:
This is one of the best books I have ever read and the best book I have read in a very long time. It is an absolute treasure. Because it does not float to the top of the list for classics, it is easily missed, but I would put it up there with Treasure Island. It had me in its grip from start to finish (and I rarely experience that anymore). Wonderful setting, themes, characters. An adventure with a heart-wrenching message about life, love, and the pursuit of fortune. A must read!
Dec 12, 2010
Mrsgaskell
rated it:
This is a children’s classic first published in 1898. It recounts the adventures of 15 year-old John Trenchard, an orphan who lives with his aunt in the fishing village of Moonfleet on the Dorset coast of England. The action begins in 1757 when John unwittingly becomes involved with a band of smugglers. This was a thoroughly entertaining adventure with smugglers, treasure, coffins, crypts, and caves. I recommend it!
Nov 12, 2010
JEFF
rated it:
the main character is john trenchard. john wanted to be a smuggler.An he had his chance once he became a smuggler they had ben spotted by the coast gaurds. the John found a letter there was a hint where the treasure can be. an then he found the treasure and it was a diamond. but it was cursed doe so they took it to a rich guy that buys diamond from people.
Jan 17, 2009
Laura
rated it:
Great story but, because of the language, I'd say it was no longer an easy read for children/young adults. I read this at school when I was 11 and struggled with it. Like most school books, they're better (and easier to appreciate) when you're a bit older and wiser.
Very evocative of the period however and a rattling good yarn in the tradition of R L Stevenson.
Very evocative of the period however and a rattling good yarn in the tradition of R L Stevenson.
Oct 12, 2010
KatieSuzanne
rated it:
I wished this book was thicker. It has so many story points in it and is so exciting that it could have been 300 pages longer with details and descriptions and I wouldn't have minded. Sometimes it felt like a summary, but still, each event was told so well that it got the point across in half the words other books use. I especially liked that I could rarely guess what was going to happen next. There's suspense when you don't expect it and none where you do. I found myself with only a dozen pages
More...
Sep 21, 2011
Mark
rated it:
This is a wonderful novel about smuggling that I read when I was a kid. There's a terrifying chapter in which the central character accidentally gets sealed in a family tomb, and a very suspenseful episode involving being lowered into the well of Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight. Highly recommended to all lovers of adventure!
Jan 15, 2011
Candi
rated it:
This is a cool old school adventure novel with smuggling and treasure maps and a beautiful girl. It would have gotten 5 stars if they were pirates, but you can't have everything. Also I had to walk away from the book for awhile when it was almost the end because I was sure it was going to end in death and destruction.
Mar 08, 2011
Scott
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Apr 18, 2009
Fuggle91
rated it:
I love to escape in wordy, formally styled writing, it gives an insight into values long gone, but also the human qualities that are changeless. Shivery adventures in the night,undertones of terror, this is even better than 'Treasure Island'!
Oct 06, 2009
Sebastian
rated it:
Meant to be a 'kids book' -- but originally written for adults, and later adopted by schools for readin' by kids!
Very dark. Lots of olde Englishe used throughout (it's some 200 years old!)
Very dark. Lots of olde Englishe used throughout (it's some 200 years old!)
Dec 21, 2011
Carol
rated it:
On a boys adventure reading list. Great adventure of a boy and great love of his friend, Elzevir. Moves quickly. First published 1898
Jul 26, 2011
I don't remember a lot about it...except they were near the sea and there was a love story..and maybe some kinda mafia involved..
Dec 15, 2010
Abderrahman
rated it:
An original classic, one of the best in my childhood. It's been a long time since I last read it, still it's one of few novels stuck in my memory from my childhood's novels stacks.
Feb 05, 2010
Jan
rated it:
Read as a teenager - this was a required book in high school. I'm sure I would enjoy it more now...
Sep 29, 2011
John
rated it:
Slow for the first few chapters and then turns into a thrilling adventure yarn.
