The Fall of Fergal (Unlikely Exploits) by Philip Ardagh

Unlikely Exploits #1

by Philip Ardagh

Philip Ardagh, the smart, silly author of the Eddie Dickens trilogy (and often called the UK's answer to Lemony Snicket), kicks off another smart, silly series with The Fall of Fergal. Between an internal-dialogue prologue and an early in-story, readers will quickly realize that the plot of Fergal will probably prove secondary to Ardagh's free-wheeling self-referential style. But how can you argue when you're having this much fun? Even as the book begins with its ending, Ardagh's strategy works as brilliantly as ever--and even includes a semi-sensible young Le Fay McNally has reached the Tap 'n' Type Young Typist of the Year Grand Finals, and she hopes to smuggle her older sister, twin brothers, and one younger brother into the luxurious Dell hotel to watch her compete. The poor, put-upon, ill-fed McNally kids reel at the poshness of the Dell, and comedy ensues as Le Fay first sneaks her siblings into the hotel, then begins meeting her competitors (including the hilariously illustrated and described Graham "the hair--my God, the hair--that was most shocking of all. Thick, dark brown, and swept back into an enormous quiff, it was so stiff that it looked more like spun sugar....She'd never met such a sweet-smelling, softy-skinned, quiffy person in shorts before").Between his knowing asides, Ardagh squeezes in a few other hilarious characters--including chief hotel detective Capt. Twinkle-Toes Tweedy (Retd.) and voluminously mustachioed ventriloquist and beat poet Hieronymus Peach--before the white-knuckle Tap 'n' Type finals and the book's climactic ending (which, if you'll remember, came at the book's beginning). Fans and soon-to-be fans of Ardagh will be glad to hear him confide that there's much, much more in store for the "There are three books in this series, and something has to happen in the other two!" (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile, Humor, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

Hardcover

First published October 7, 2002

About the author

Over six-and-a-half feet tall, with a bushy beard, Philip Ardagh is not only very big but also very hairy. He is the author of the Eddie Dickens Trilogy and when not writing silly books, Mr. Ardagh is quite serious and frowns a great deal. He lives in a seaside town somewhere in England with his wife and their son, Fred.

Reviews

[Sarah Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10, scarred me for life as a child and probably made me the person I am today. Considering reading again to just to enlighten myself about why my brain is the way it is. At least once a year, I wake up in a cold sweat thinking about this book and have to google, “book where kid falls out of window and gets his brain put in a dog,” to find it again.

[Latitude · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book haunts me

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story opens with little Fergal McNally falling from a hotel window to his death, with the rest of the book recounting how he got there.

I would recommend this hilarious little book for fans of Lemony Snicket, especially as an audiobook.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never read anything by Philip Ardagh, but i'd shelved them over and over again, and now I can see why. They are funny. He writes in a sort of rambling stream of digressions and anecdotes. It sort of reminds me of a local author I know who hasn't quite made the big time yet. If you're reading this (my review I mean) then you should read this (the book I mean). I think you could write like this, it's already how you talk. Anyways, addressing everyone else, if you enjoy short funny j fic, you should read it too. It was well worth it. I'm gonna read more of his books.

[Chazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've previously read a book from Philip Ardagh's Eddie Dixon series and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was not disappointed with this one.

Ardagh writes for kids but this would be a fun read for adults. His writing reminds me of Roald Dahl. There can be bits that are a bit gorey, and parts that are tongue-in-cheek, but over all it is all good.

Fergal McNally's sister, Le Fay has won a place in the finals of the Tap 'n' Type typing competition. She gets to stay at posh The Dell Hotel in a swell suite. The trick is to figure a way for her siblings Jackie, his older sister, twins Joshua and Albie, and Fergal can stay with her. The room is only for her and her family is a bit on the poor side.

The start of the book is when Fergal falls out the window in the suite that Le Fay is staying in. It then back tracks and leads up to what all happens prior to Fergal's fall.

Characters like Twinkle-Toes Tweedy, the house detective, Mr. Peach, a venttrloquist, Graham Large, who is a competitor and wears his hair in a quiff and is a spoiled brat, and a few more characters make this an entertaining read. Also, when it gets to gorey parts the author lets you know so you can stop reading, and then lets you know when to start reading again. (See what I mean about Roald Dahl-esque style?)

I plan to read the other books in these two series...and any others by Ardagh that I find.

[Stephen Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A juvenile version of Tristram Shandy?

The discursive style, digressions, and asides to the reader are all reminders of Tristram Shandy, and one of the characters has an unfortunate accident, reminiscent of the accidental circumcision of the eponymous Tristram Shandy, though the Fergal in this story lost something more important than his foreskin.

In this story Le Fay McNally has made it to the finals of a typing competition, and goes with her sister and three brothers to take part. They have various adventures on the journey, and at the hotel where Le Fay is staying. Some are of the exploits are amusing, some annoying, and some tragic. They meet some nice people, some nasty people, and some nasty people whop turn out to be nice people after all.

If I told you any more than that you wouldn't want to read the book, and Mr Ardagh would be cross with me.

[Carson Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fergal was as flat as a pancake & as dead as a door nail. The last thing he heard was probably the “SP” from his own SPLAT on the concrete. No one can survive a fall out of a hotel window, not even Fergel McNally. How did the poor McNally child even get into the prestigious Dell Hotel and then proceed to fall out of it? Maybe the house detective can get to the bottom of it, or maybe the McNally family will have to solve the mystery all on their own. .
.
This was such a fun & unexpected book. Through the book the author, Philip Ardagh , commented on the terrible life of the McNally family and made you really connect with his characters and with him. I have never read a book like this, but I plan on picking up more of Philip Ardaghs books and the rest of this series.

[Ro Chelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ridiculous. Funny. Unexpected.
I read this as a child and I absolutely loved it, so when I found it in my school’s library I had to take it out! The twist at the end had me looking back at the page numbers to check! It did make me chuckle in places and I can see why I liked it at the time (it’s a little juvenile for me now).

[Sykas · Rating 5 out of 5]

While getting this book I wasn't expecting much but I must say how much I enjoyed it. The author has a great sense of humor and it was a pleasure to read this book :) Probably will have to get the next books as well :D

[Heather McAlister · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book I have read by Philip Ardagh. He writes beautifully for children, and I suspect I would have loved this book at that time of my life. It's still funny for adults, but not my usual read!

[Anaika · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Patrice Sartor · Rating 3 out of 5]

GENRE: Fiction, humor, adventure, realistic fiction elements.

SUMMARY: Le Fay McNally's typing prowess has earned her a place in the finals of the Tap 'n' Type competition. Le Fay's older sister Jackie, who is the clan's substitute mother, has created a plan that will enable her to take Le Fay's three other siblings on a bus ride to the competition for the price of just two. Le Fay will be traveling via train, with her expenses paid for by the competition's sponsor. The goal was to meet at the back of the hotel at a certain time, though things did not go exactly according to plan. The McNally clan was able to watch Le Fay do her best against the three other finalists, though the whole of the contest is overshadowed by the fact that the littlest brother, Fergal, falls to his death at some point, and we find out in a backwards fashion just how this occurred.

EVALUATION: The irreverent, self-referencing writing style of the author makes for a funny story, something that is not easy to manage when you've let your readers know early on that one of your characters dies. Yet the dark humor works, and knowing what happens at the end, but not how it happens will keep readers engaged.

WHY I WOULD INCLUDE IT: I think tweens will appreciate the unique way the tale is told, as well as the black humor. The descriptions are vivid, and there are a number of pictures scattered throughout the book to aid flavor to them. The book never takes itself too seriously, and ends up as a quick, good read.

READER'S ANNOTATION: Fergal dies on the first page, and the rest of the story is an adventure to let you know how he got to that point.

ITEMS WITH SIMILAR APPEAL:
• Lemony Snicket's a Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket.

[KidsFiction Teton County Library]

J Ardagh

This is a darkly humorous tale similar to the Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket about the ups and downs of the McNally family. The family has some bad luck, as the children have lost their mother and live with their father, a former war hero who has become an unhappy man who "collects empty bottles" (the author's slightly subtle way of describing an alcoholic).

LeFay McNally has won a trip to the final keyboarding competition sponsored by the Tap N Type company. Her brothers and sisters want to support her, and also to get away from their miserable home; they have never been on a vacation. However, their lack of money leads them to some funny tricks to ride the bus. For instance, the twin brothers pretend to be one person -- one hides in the bathroom, the other in a seat, and they switch places quickly, hoping that no one will notice. The youngest brother, Fergal, is dressed in diapers to pretend he is a baby, so he won't have to pay for a seat.

The story is filled with many funny adventures, and one sad one -- although it is not written in a sad way. The title comes from Fergal falling out of a window to his untimely death. The book ends as a cliffhanger, leaving readers wanting to read on -- to the 2nd book in the Unlikely Exploits series, "The Heir of Mystery."

Highly recommended, especially for Lemony Snicket fans.

[Sally Flint · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really not sure what to make of this book and should perhaps try some more in the series. It was one of those stories, where the narrator talks to the reader throughout and becomes chums with them. The leaps in the book were extreme. Early on we learn of a young boy falling out of a hotel window, and then much of the book goes back and investigates how we get there. I guess it is supposed to be very humorous and have a moral undertone but I couldn't quite see the funny side of this kid plummeting to his death. None of the book was realistic, it wasn't supposed to be, but the message was supposed to be heartfelt I found it difficult to really be bothered to read it, but if I was a 10 year old student then perhaps I would find it entertaining. This book is part of an unlikely exploits series, it is based around a typing competition, so I guess it fits the bill, but not really one for me. If you asked me to name this book next week or even tomorrow I will definitely have forgotten it.

[Luther Cobbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first book in the Unlikely Exploits series will appeal to readers who enjoy silly, but clever works. Ardagh manages to create a book that is full of dark humor, but is still serious and sad. In this work, four McNally siblings are introduced: Jackie, the oldest; "almost twin brothers" Joshua and Albie; Le Fay; and Fergal. The story begins with Fergal falling to his death from a window. The rest of the story is a series of flashbacks and jumps forward, full of the author's metalanguage and comments on himself as the narrator. The main storyline centers on Le Fay's entry in a national typing competition. Other parts of this book that remain unexplained in the end include huge holes in the ground that keep appearing out of nowhere and the ability of one of the main characters to change into an animal. Overall, this is a very unique book that will make readers want to continue in the series.

[Kathy]

this book is basicly about a boy named fergal who lives in a very poor family and he cant even afford to have 2 meals a dayl. he can only have 1. fergal and his family had to go watch thier sister le fay go do a typing contest so in order for them to go inside le fay has to slip them from the fire escape in her hotel room at exactly 3;00

the mcnally family had to fool all so his sister jackie dressed up as a mom and his 2 twin brothers pushed themselves together so that they can look like one, his father just dressed as a normal father and fergal had to either fit into the suitcases or dress like a baby and he chose to dress like a baby. when they finally got out the bus there was a big hole in the way blocking the path to keep on moving... how could they ever cross it?

i recomend this book to anyone who likes to solve mysteries and see what will happen next. i rated this book maybe like 3 stars because it wasnt like good.. it didnt givee me that WOW sensation

[Shelby Beasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing in this book reminds me of Lemony Snicket's in the tone and the way Ardagh addresses his audience. On the very first page or so, the title character, Fergal, falls out of a window and dies. The narrator is very matter of fact about this and even tells us the noise Fergal's body makes as it hit ground. The straightforward nature of the story-telling and the narrator's asides have you laughing throughout the rest of the book. The narrator takes us back to the beginning of events that led to young Fergal's demise. We meet the McNally family which consists of five children and a father who is too busy collecting bottles to tend to his children. The kids are instead looked after by their eldest sister, Jackie. The plot follows the only other girl in the family Le Fay as she travels into the city to compete in a typing competition. Meanwhile, all over the country, sinkholes are opening up and other strange things keep happening. It is a very entertaining, easy read.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. As someone who generally thinks in digressions, I enjoyed the writing style and the black humorous tone. In the Pratchett and Douglas Adams family of wit (high compliment here). Definitely juvenile fiction though, which is not a bad thing considering that is the intended audience. It would be odd if the author wrote a book for children and it was filled with sex and violence. Odd, and more than likely prosecutable. Hypocritically not odd, however, is an adult reading a book intended for children. It's all about context, which has nothing to do with a text written by a con, even a con sentenced for writing a dirty grade school novel. Like I said, it's all about perspective.

Recommended for wise ass kids who you'd like to be wise ass British kids.

[carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended Ages: grades 4-6

Philip Ardagh's Unlikely Exploits series chart the extraordinary changes in fortune of the downtrodden McNally family, beginning with The Fall of Fergal. The setting is an unidentified country suffering from an unexpected breakout of large holes.

The McNally children find themselves in the Dell Hotel, the venue for the final of the Tap 'n' Type typing competition, surrounded by a strange assortment of characters ranging from Twinkle-Toes Tweedy, the house detective, to Mr. Peach, a ventriloquist with a very large mustache.
With young Fergal McNally falling to his death on page one, the only way for the McNallys is up . . .

[Tam Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this book was not really what I expected. Hmmm. He died?!?! Well duh...if I had read more about the book before I got it on audible-which, I highly suggest. The narrator is SOOO good. It's hilarious. Wait...I feel bad for saying that. It's a terrible book. I mean, poor Fergal. The book reminds me of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. Because it's misfortune after misfortune. (I'll admit I've never read Snicket's books, but have seen the movie!) I'm curious to see where this series is going. I'm definitely interested in reading the second in the series.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entire trilogy is just wonderful. It's easily the wierdest trilogy I've ever read, but I love it anyway (and, to a certain extent, therfore). It doesn't necessarily make sense, but somehow, I don't care. This is not a trilogy for everyone. It strikes me as the sort of thing you love or consider stupid and pointless. Whether because I'm just wierd that way or because I was in the right mood when I read it, I have an unexplainable affection for it.

[William Ligabo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoughtof this book as a wonderful story about family and how through even the hard times they managed to stay together. They had such a story to live through with their dad. He was in the army but I find it really great that in the end the kids managed to find their way back home. I would recommend this book to any reader.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun kids' novel in the tradition of Lemony Snicket and Roald Dahl, although possibly not quite of the same calibre.. I enjoyed it, but I probably won't actively seek out the sequels, unless I happen to see them at the library.

[Doralyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny little book. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending because it seems a bit absurd (the book is clever enough on its own without adding anything paranormal). But obviously, the author is a fan of the absurd.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to see if it would be appropriate for my daughter. In the end, I decided against sharing this with my child. There were some parts that were quite entertaining, but I must say that overall, the humor wasn't quite to my liking.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is good because the story is about two twins try to save fergal from a big hole. Fergal falls into the big hole because mr.peach tricks fergal into going into the hole.This book is good for people who like action and mysterys.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure what it is about the holiday season that makes me want to read children's literature. Maybe it's the nostalgia and whimsy I crave. The Fall of Fergal (Unlikely Exploits #1) didn't disappoint. Ardagh's quirky and humorous writing style is a delight. I think I'll continue the series.

[Emily S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first exposure to dark humor for kids.

[Miss Bookiverse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typically Ardagh. Cheeky, funny, heart-warming, original and very darkly humoured. The ending made me very curious about book 2.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really funny! I loved it.