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22nd out of 26 books
—
26 voters
Castaways of the Flying Dutchman (Flying Dutchman #1)
A boy and dog trapped aboard the legendary ship, the Flying Dutchman, are sent off on an eternal journey by an avenging angel, roaming the earth throughout the centuries in search of those in need. Their travels lead them to Chapelvale, a sleepy nineteenth century village whose very existence is at stake. Only by discovering the buried secrets and solving the dust-laden ri...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
March 31st 2003
by Firebird
(first published January 1st 2001)
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I know that at least Johanna will be awaiting this review, although it will most likely be dry and boring, but here it is anyways.
Now that I have read two books by Brian Jacques from two different series, I believe that I have been able to form a good picture of his writing style. So before I talk about the book itself, I'm going to take a moment to say what I think on his writing style. You can skip this part if you like.
1. All the characters tend to sound the same. I don't know what it is, but...more
Now that I have read two books by Brian Jacques from two different series, I believe that I have been able to form a good picture of his writing style. So before I talk about the book itself, I'm going to take a moment to say what I think on his writing style. You can skip this part if you like.
1. All the characters tend to sound the same. I don't know what it is, but...more
Ugh. I had to plod my way through this book. I found the dialogue to be cliched and unrealistic. I know the setting was in the past, but some writers manage to create dialogue in historic fiction that doesn't make their characters sound like bumpkins. The characters were one-dimensional, with the good being perfectly heroic and the bad being humorless buffoons. For villains we get the mean bully, the nasty pirate, the greedy businessman, and the spoiled heiress--nothing new here. The three secti...more
4 likes · like · see review
A mute teenage boy runs away from his abusive stepfather and ends up aboard the Flying Dutchman as a galley boy. The captain and his crew are all evil and greedy men, and when the captain curses God after failing to conquer the seas, an angel descends and curses the ship and the crew to forever sail the seas as an evil undead symbol of God’s wrath for sinners. The boy and his dog are thrown overboard and rescued by the same angel who makes them ageless beings, destined to roam the earth forever,...more
Brian Jacques is already quite popular for his Redwall series. However, many people have not heard of this equally amazing story of the Castaways of the Flying Dutchman. In it, two companions, Ben and his dog, Ned--who were both cursed to live forever and never age--live out there regrettably meager and wondering lives. They encounter many people and make many friends, though they know they cannot stay anywhere long, lest their companions discover they have not aged.
It is an amazing read. Ben an...more
It is an amazing read. Ben an...more
This book averages out to three stars. I give five starts to the parts actually set on the Flying Dutchman. Brian Jacques' descriptions of shipboard life in the 1600s are both thrilling and terrifying. He's obviously done his research and the book's first few chapters made me want to rush out to the library and grab more books in a similar vein. (Patrick O'Brian's novels are much higher on my to-read list as a result of reading this book.)
I wish I could give five stars to the rest of the novel,...more
I wish I could give five stars to the rest of the novel,...more
3 likes · like · see review
Jun 06, 2012
Phoebe
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Phoebe by:
Dylan
Shelves:
adventure-ya,
started-not-finished
The first part of this book is exciting and atmospheric, with a young mute boy rescued from the seas and pressed into work on the Flying Dutchman. Ill treated until he befriends and protects a black Labrador, the boy is resigned to the same fate as all of his crewmates, as the maddened captain attempts to sail around Cape Horn. Then rescue comes, unexpectedly, and the boy and his dog are swept overboard while the rest of the crew and the captain are cursed to wander the seas forever. The second...more
A departure from the Redwall series, the author was not as smooth in his writing as he is in his Redwall books. The dialogue , at times, feels awkward and the jumps in time add to this sense. The story has the horrible bad guys that one loves in Jacques novels and a cast of young heroes that forge friendships which are the key to overcoming the obstacles in the plot. Friendships between young people and elders are another familiar theme from Jacque's stories. This tale would be great to read to...more
When the Flying Dutchman is cursed, a pure-hearted boy and his dog are also touched by the angel: they gain eternal youth and telepathic communication and are told to go out into the world and do good. 300 years later, they turn up in a village in England which they have to save from being turned into a limestone quarry.
This is Brian Jacques' first book outside the Redwall series and it was okay. Nothing more or less, I'm afraid. It was a standard kids-save-the-day book but with a talking dog (a...more
This is Brian Jacques' first book outside the Redwall series and it was okay. Nothing more or less, I'm afraid. It was a standard kids-save-the-day book but with a talking dog (a...more
I'm rather disappointed in this book, I remember really liking it when I read it when I was younger, but, while the narration wasn't too bad, the dialogue was awful. So strained and unrealistic. The story had a great premise (immortal boy and his dog, castaways of the Flying Dutchman!), but the actual story could have been told in much fewer chapters and been a lot less infuriating that way. The clues were also cute, but it wasn't nearly a mystery...
What I'm finding more and more with YA books i...more
What I'm finding more and more with YA books i...more
Well, at least the author has a coherent narrative voice. Why do I finish tedious books?
The boy's adventurous origins have nothing to do with the main story and I think that at least the -first- book in this series should have more water in the main plot to fit in with the beginning. It's like the beginning is just slapped on as an afterthought, because the editor wanted Jacques to come up with a reason why there is an immortal orphan running around England. Or maybe the beginning came first, bu...more
The boy's adventurous origins have nothing to do with the main story and I think that at least the -first- book in this series should have more water in the main plot to fit in with the beginning. It's like the beginning is just slapped on as an afterthought, because the editor wanted Jacques to come up with a reason why there is an immortal orphan running around England. Or maybe the beginning came first, bu...more
Teton County library call number: J Jacques B.
no rating
Based on the legend of the "Flying Dutchman" the cursed ship that failed to make it around Cape Horn where the two oceans meet. A boy and his dog are saved and sent on an "eternal journey" in search of those in need.
The beginning is excellent! The trip from Denmark, meeting the dog who is also an orphan- you'll love
these main characters. But unfortunately I couldn't make it through this book, I think the kids will like it but it got too long...more
no rating
Based on the legend of the "Flying Dutchman" the cursed ship that failed to make it around Cape Horn where the two oceans meet. A boy and his dog are saved and sent on an "eternal journey" in search of those in need.
The beginning is excellent! The trip from Denmark, meeting the dog who is also an orphan- you'll love
these main characters. But unfortunately I couldn't make it through this book, I think the kids will like it but it got too long...more
I have read this book a few times, but not recently.
I think it's completely delightful and a fun read. When I first read it I liked the boy and his dog angle, that they could actually communicate with each other in a way other people couldn't hear. I think if I read it now I'd read it differently, but I don't think I'd like it less.
It seems a little bit random almost, from the beginning "how they got this way" part, and then going to the "this is the main story" part, but I still enjoyed it.
I...more
I think it's completely delightful and a fun read. When I first read it I liked the boy and his dog angle, that they could actually communicate with each other in a way other people couldn't hear. I think if I read it now I'd read it differently, but I don't think I'd like it less.
It seems a little bit random almost, from the beginning "how they got this way" part, and then going to the "this is the main story" part, but I still enjoyed it.
I...more
After reading 22 excellent Redwall novels, I wondered why I have never tried Jacques' Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series. The books sounded interesting
enough and different enough from the Redwall ones to get my curiosity up. Sadly, however, I found the book as a whole a bit of a disappointment after all those fun
Redwall novels. It is not exactly bad, and the first third of the story is fantastic and got my hopes up. The rest was a massive let down for me though. Of all the neat
and inter...more
enough and different enough from the Redwall ones to get my curiosity up. Sadly, however, I found the book as a whole a bit of a disappointment after all those fun
Redwall novels. It is not exactly bad, and the first third of the story is fantastic and got my hopes up. The rest was a massive let down for me though. Of all the neat
and inter...more
I really think this book is enlightning.This book is about a boy named Neb who was found on a ship of the flying dutchman and the dutch thinks he is dead.You will find out if he is dead or not:)Also he is on a long journey. This book takes place in 1620 when pirates were alive.Neb will meet new people on the way.The rest of the book is you to read.
The book is very awesome! :) I like how the vocabulary is different from other books i HAVE READ:) I also i love the writing style it is veary unique....more
The book is very awesome! :) I like how the vocabulary is different from other books i HAVE READ:) I also i love the writing style it is veary unique....more
1 like · like · see review
This was the first book for the summer adult reading program at the library. The theme for the summer is water. This was an easy, enjoyable read. Definitely geared for the young adult crowd. A mute boy, Neb and the stray dog he befriends Denmark (Den) are saved by an Angel when the Flying Dutchman goes down. They become immortal and their mission is to help people. They find themselves in a small English village that is set to be turned into a limestone mine. Neb, now Ben, and Den, now Ned, help...more
First of all, this is Brian Jacques. Need I say more? Not, not really, but I will anyway!
The characters he gives his readers are so wonderful. Dear Ben and Ned; I love them! The mystery and riddles throughout are wonderful. My one complaint was that the reader never finds out what happens to the "Flying Dutchman" and her crew. It seems like Ben and Ned would meet up with them again. But that complaint is easily forgotten, because the adventures of these two might last forever, and the adventure...more
The characters he gives his readers are so wonderful. Dear Ben and Ned; I love them! The mystery and riddles throughout are wonderful. My one complaint was that the reader never finds out what happens to the "Flying Dutchman" and her crew. It seems like Ben and Ned would meet up with them again. But that complaint is easily forgotten, because the adventures of these two might last forever, and the adventure...more
In this intriguing book, Brian Jacques wonders what really happened to create the legend of the Flying Dutchman. The story follows a boy who is caught up in Holland by the ship and finds himself following an unexpected course. I don't want to spoil the story only to say that this is as good a read as any of Jacques' Redwall books with adventure, riddles and friendship. It reminded me of Victorian stories of the supernatural such as MacDonald's or Poe's, which was a treat. This is a book that wou...more
What ages would I recommend it too? – Twelve and up.
Length? – A few day’s read.
Characters? – Memorable, several characters.
Setting? – Historically, throughout the world.
Written approximately? – 2001.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more. I'd enjoy all the stories alluded to between the second and third story in the novel.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? No.
Short storyline: The first short story is a vivid dramatic tale that shar...more
Length? – A few day’s read.
Characters? – Memorable, several characters.
Setting? – Historically, throughout the world.
Written approximately? – 2001.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready to read more. I'd enjoy all the stories alluded to between the second and third story in the novel.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? No.
Short storyline: The first short story is a vivid dramatic tale that shar...more
I had planned on reading this book after discovering it in a book store. I got it on a book swap website, after my discovery. I usually wait until summer months to read my nautical books, but I wanted a good one to take on my trip to the Caribbean. I had read Redwall by Jacques, and I love books about piracy and sailing, so I knew this would be up my alley. However, after reading it I found out that it wasn’t at all what I expected. I expected a book that took place on the sea, but what I got wa...more
I will be the first to admit that I am not a fan of talking animal characters, so the fact that the Castaways series was written by the author of Redwall meant little to me. However, the first few pages of Castaways successfully put aside any prejudices I may have had. The highly original plot flows smoothly, each book containing a fair share of twists, turns and moral lessons. Jacques’ writing style is almost lyrical in parts and the language resembles that which is used for reciting legends an...more
The Flying Dutchman.
A name that brings fear to the hearts of all who hear of the cursed ship. A name which is still known throughout the centuries. A ship that even now is reported seen sailing the waters around Cape Horn. But no one really knows how the curse began. What caused The Flying Dutchman and its crew, captained by the feared Captain Vanderdecken, to be set on its eternal voyage across the seas?
When a nameless boy is found half dead and half frozen on the back of the Flying Dutchman,...more
A name that brings fear to the hearts of all who hear of the cursed ship. A name which is still known throughout the centuries. A ship that even now is reported seen sailing the waters around Cape Horn. But no one really knows how the curse began. What caused The Flying Dutchman and its crew, captained by the feared Captain Vanderdecken, to be set on its eternal voyage across the seas?
When a nameless boy is found half dead and half frozen on the back of the Flying Dutchman,...more
I was very disappointed with this book. My friend had told me about it and it sounded really cool so I got it. I'd never really been into Redwall (the very popular series by this author), but this book is very different than those, so I decided to give it a try, unfortunately it only served to remind me of all the reasons I had never finished a Redwall book.
The story is about a boy and his dog, two unfortunate beings unwillingly taken onto the Flying Dutchman(pre-curse). They are mistreated but...more
The story is about a boy and his dog, two unfortunate beings unwillingly taken onto the Flying Dutchman(pre-curse). They are mistreated but...more
1 like · like · see review
There are not enough words to describe how brilliant this book is. Who hasn't heard the story of the Flying Dutchman, whether it be from a grumpy old sailor or an episode of Spongebob? This book DEFINES the concept of immortality and it's a plot that one can't help but become engulfed by. A bond that grows with years between a boy and his dog, both forever wandering the seas: a gift and a curse. Brian Jacques, best known for his Redwall series, leaves nothing to be desired in this epic trilogy.
I read this book for the first time when I was twelve years old, since then I have read the entire series at least 5 times. The story is compelling. The dialogue is fresh and seasoned with creative dialects. All of the characters have well developed personalities. And ultimately the moral lessons and the wonderful tale of a cursed boy and his dog will follow me for years to come. It may be a children's book, but adults can sure learn a thing or two as well.
i think this book is a very good book. It is all about a boy called neb and his dog called dennmark who set sail on a ghost ship call The Flying Dutchman. I dont want to be a spoiler alert but this ship has been cursed, therefore all the crew on the ship are very bad,cruel,black-hearted people. I like this book because it is all adventure and one of my favorite type of books is adventure.
E.G age 10
E.G age 10
Brian Jacques, author of the notable YA Redwall series, took a detour from mice and swords with this series about a boy and his faithful lab who have been 'cursed' to live forever, to do good, not evil. The characters are endearing (the lab can talk!), and the stories of mystery, moral fortitude and sacrifice are bittersweet. Beautiful tales from one of England's old fashioned story-weavers.
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As a child (and still today, I must confess), I was enchanted by Brian Jacques’ Redwall series. He came and spoke at my elementary school and is just as nice as one would expect him to be. When I saw that Jacques (pronounced Jakes) had written a new book that involved people, I was hesitant: not because I thought it wouldn’t be good, but because I felt like it meant the days of talking animals were over.
I shouldn’t have been skeptical. Castaways of the Flying Dutchman is a great book about a boy...more
I shouldn’t have been skeptical. Castaways of the Flying Dutchman is a great book about a boy...more
CASTAWAYS OF THE FLYING DUTCHMAN-Ok
Jacques, Brian
The Flying Dutchman! The legend of the wind-tattered ghost ship and its mad sea captain, cursed to sail the seas forever, has been passed down throughout the centuries. But what of the young boy and his dog who were trapped aboard that ship? What became of them?
In this, one of Jacques' most original adventures, the castaway boy and dog set off on an eternal journey of their own, braving icy wind and waves to arrive at strange shores, and explore n...more
Jacques, Brian
The Flying Dutchman! The legend of the wind-tattered ghost ship and its mad sea captain, cursed to sail the seas forever, has been passed down throughout the centuries. But what of the young boy and his dog who were trapped aboard that ship? What became of them?
In this, one of Jacques' most original adventures, the castaway boy and dog set off on an eternal journey of their own, braving icy wind and waves to arrive at strange shores, and explore n...more
This book started out super awesome. I loved it and could barely put it down, then after he found himself marooned on the island it all sort of went down hill for me. I did manage to make it through, but it wasn't overly interesting or exciting. His Redwall series was much better. I give it three stars because of the amazing start it had.
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Brian Jacques (pronounced 'jakes') was born in Liverpool, England on June 15th, 1939. Along with forty percent of the population of Liverpool, his ancestral roots are in Ireland, County Cork to be exact.
Brian grew up in the area around the Liverpool docks, where he attended St. John's School, an inner city school featuring a playground on its roof. At the age of ten, his very first day at St. Joh...more
More about Brian Jacques...
Brian grew up in the area around the Liverpool docks, where he attended St. John's School, an inner city school featuring a playground on its roof. At the age of ten, his very first day at St. Joh...more
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updated Jan 26, 2013 05:30pm
Mar 05, 2013 08:24pm