Bartlett & the Forest of Plenty

Barlett #3

by Odo Hirsch

The third book in the Bartlett series follows our regular cast of characters-Bartlett, Jacques le Grand, and their young apprentice Gozo-on what may be their strangest adventure yet. Plunging into a wild, unexplored jungle, they discover a forgotten city, a long-lost explorer, a ball game played in a walled court, and an underground dungeon. This gripping, funny and clever adventure is written with Odo Hirsch's customary flair.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Young Adult

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Odo Hirsch was born and grew up in Melbourne, where he trained to be a doctor. He now lives in London and writes excellent books that are published not only in Australia but also in the US, UK, Netherlands, Korea, Germany, and Italy.

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/odo-hirsch

Reviews

[Arie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As quirky and creative as ever - it's been years since I re-read this and it is the perfect comfort food (in a literary sense, of course).

[Infamous Sphere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Hirsch nails it.

Clever, peace-loving persistent explorer Bartlett, his strong, stoic boyfriend Jacques, and their random sidekick Gozo, finish up their mapping of a massive canyon and decide as an afterthought to explore a giant tropical rainforest. While there, they find a fully sik city of....not gold, just like, food and peaceful living and stuff. It's nice! But is it... too nice?

In this book, there's more of a true villain, in the shape of the arrogant, obnoxious former rival explorer Elwood Tucker. There's also a vague not-love interest for Gozo.
Once again beautifully described (man, you can really feel that jungly jungleness! The vague Amazonianness of it all!) This book I'd say has a stronger message than the previous Bartlett books, more along the lines of Hazel Green's moral dilemmas, and one gets more worried about whether or not Bartlett and Jacques will make it out of the suspiciously nice forest city, but it all works out fine in the end.

In my memory, these two middle books are the strongest of the Bartlett series. I think I only read book 4 once or twice, maybe because I was ageing out of them at that point, maybe just because it wasn't as good. I'll have to see if it's got that same magic about it.

Also since very few people apparently have read these books or remember them, I can't talk to anyone about how Bartlett and Jacques Le Grand were DEFINITELY boyfriends. Outrageous!

[Andrew]

Another enjoyable adventure with Bartlett, Jacques le Grand and Gozo. Not as much Inventiveness or Desperation as the first two, but has its fair share of Perseverance. It was good to see some background development for Bartlett and Jacques, and a villain arising from their past.

[Natalie Champion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely my favourite out of the Bartlett series. Sometimes I felt like it even had a bit of suspense and mystery to it which added a certain thrill.

[Linnae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gozo wants very badly to be a real explorer, just like his friends and mentors Bartlett and Jacque. There have been lots of stories about a hidden civilization within the heart of the jungle they are exploring, so when Gozo thinks he sees a glint of something sparkling in the sun, he is sure it must the lost city. Before long, the friends are hacking their way through the jungle. What they find, or more specifically, who they find, will be a surprise to all of them. And once they find him, will they ever get to leave?

I haven't read the first two books of this series, but didn't feel like I was missing any information. Light, easy read.

[Mansi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining

[Xaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO AWESOME!