Bagthorpes V. the World: Being the Fourth Part of the Bagthorpe Saga

The Bagthorpe Saga #4

by Helen Cresswell

Overreacting to his recent bank statement and fearing imminent bankruptcy, Mr. Bagthorpe involves his family in a self-sufficiency campaign, and confusion results when cousin Daisy collides with Great-Aunt Lucy

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Humor, Young Adult, British Literature

193 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Helen Cresswell (1934–2005) was an English television scriptwriter and author of more than 100 children's books, best known for comedy and supernatural fiction. Her most popular book series, Lizzie Dripping and The Bagthorpe Saga, were also the basis for television series.

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young readers 11-14 years old will enjoy the hilarious antics of the Bagthorpes--the most eccentric and zany family in England.
When Mr. Bagthorpe receives a misprinted bank statement which shows him to be several billion dollars overdrawn, he decides that the famiy must become self-sufficient; i.e., doing their own gardening, raising chickens, milking cows, etc. His plan is not helped any by the advent of Great-Aunt Lucy who does not believe in Time. Nor is it aided by 4-year-old Daisy's funeral phase, during which she holds funerals for pork chops and lamp chops.

[William Leight · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last of the first set of Bagthorpe books, showing absolutely no diminution in quality. In this one, a bank error inspires Henry Bagthorpe to embrace self-sufficiency (as well as briefly raising the question of how the Bagthorpes, who appear to be merely upper middle class, can afford a lifestyle in which house renovations caused by improbable catastrophes are a regular occurrence), and to force self-sufficiency on his mostly reluctant offspring. Daisy, meanwhile, is embarking on an "intimations of mortality" phase, in which she asks people how soon they will be dead and holds endless funerals for anything she can get her hands on. This does not mesh well with a visit from Great-Aunt Lucy, whose plan for immortality involves fooling Time (with a capital T) by having breakfast at midnight. Plus, this book sees the appearance of Billy Goat Gruff, the homicidal maniac goat who gets along with Daisy and nobody else. As per usual, Cresswell skates expertly along the edge of total insanity without ever tipping over, and I laughed myself silly the whole time. Though you'd be missing some background if you started here, I think it would be just as funny.

[David Erkale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things are getting too absurd in the Bagthorpe household. However, I still appreciate the clever writing. That and the fact that a replacement from the long lost Thomas is introduced. (Little Tommy, sadly, isn't mentioned much in this book, aside from his vile interactions with Great Aunt's Pekingese.)

[Jonna Gjevre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cresswell's humor is a little darker than I remember, but I adore the Bagthorpes.

[Rachael Eyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Wish I'd had the cover shown here. I was drinking a glass of water and nearly snorted it out of my nose!)

It says something when a kids' book from 1979 is funnier and more erudite than anything published today. It might not be my favourite instalment - that would be Absolute Zero or Bagthorpes Unlimited - but there's plenty to reduce you to giggles. Daisy's Intimations of Mortality Phase, Mr Bagthorpe doing his own demented take on the Good Life, Billy Goat Gruff ...

I've never been sure about Great Aunt Lucy as a character, though. Not only does she have the same name as Paddington's beloved auntie, which is weird, but she does actually seem to be mad, while the other characters see eccentricity as a sign of genius. I feel slightly uncomfortable chuckling at someone with a genuine mental illness, which is why this is a 4 rather than a 5 star.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! One of the best out of the seven or eight Bagthorpe books. Mr. Bagthorpe goes unhinged and begins a campaign for survival, while Daisy Bagthorpe (the four-year-old neice) has become obsessed with funerals. Add in the lunatic Aunt Lucy (who doesn't believe in Time), and you have the makings for a classic Bagthorpian comedy.

[Edward Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

With money troubles causing the family to become self-sufficient, competitiveness is at a high as the Bagthorpes try to grow their own food, with disastrous results. At this stage the series is a little weaker, but still quite enjoyable.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these so much. I've read the first four all four times each, including aloud to my daughter. it seemed to be a lesser known series in the US, which is too bad. the language is pretty sophisticated and the books are HILARIOUS. the characters are fantastic.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can the Bagthorpes become self-sufficient? By that, of course, they mean saving money on everyone else's pleasures, but not their own. And can they keep Great Aunt Lucy happy when she comes to visit?

[Grillables · Rating 3 out of 5]

More madcap hijinks and Daisy-related destruction. Not quite as scattered as the third book, but still not quite tied together as well as the second book. Quite amusing, regardless.

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great installment of the very funny Bagthorpes. They are a great family to hang out with.

[Margaret Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of the whole series! I can't describe it.. It's just wonderful.