A Near Thing for Captain Najork

Captain Najork #2

by Russell Hoban, Quentin Blake (Illustrator)

Tom and his two-seater, jam-powered frog, attended by Aunt Bundlejoy Cozysweet, jump into adventures involving Tom's enemy, Captain Najork, the captain's hired sportsmen and jealous wife, and the headmistress of the girls' boarding school

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, School

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Russell Conwell Hoban was an American expatriate writer. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London, England, from 1969 until his death. (Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I giggled my way through this one and now I am working to get my hands on the book that came previous to this one and I can't wait to read it. I won't try to explain this one, you must experience it for yourself but it does involve a jam-powered frog and two women arm wrestling over possessing Captain Najork for themselves...

[Cybelle Weeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hysterical!

[Andy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where is the sportive infant?

[KW · Rating 4 out of 5]

a jam-powered emotional roller-coaster

[JKR · Rating 4 out of 5]

They may not be pearls of wisdom, but both Captain Najork books are little gems nonetheless.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some great moments in this one, like the wonderful illustration of Aunt Fidget Wonkham-Strong carrying the captain's tea up the stairs singing "Heart of Oak," and the commissaire's line "There is a lady at the door who wants a pot of jam and there is a snake at the window, madam," but on the whole this book seems contrived where the first book just seemed perfect. Bundlejoy Cosysweet's character is not developed at all, and while Aunt Fidget Wonkham-Strong seemed somehow transformed and redeemed at the end of the previous book, she is now simply unlikeable. Her magic is gone. Also, the captain's lust and the nasty love triangle make it less appropriate and appealing for kids. Possibly I would be easier on this book if it wasn't in the shadow of such a mighty predecessor.

[TwoDrinks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book but it's a bit odd in patches. I do wonder whether it's part of a series of books and I'd have found it less odd if I'd read other ones first. What had me reeling was the phrase, 'Captain Najork was in the observatory looking through his telescope at the girls' boarding-school across the river'. Given the news stories about Operation Yewtree I think I'm a little over-sensitive at the moment. Anyway, it turns out that Captain Najork is actually watching the headmistress of the school pump iron. Still a bit weird but then every character in this book is weird. And that is what is so utterly joyous about it. It's one of those really nonsensical children's books. And the illustrations are by Quentin Blake so the odd characters have the most wonderful odd expressions.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I imagine this book can be fully appreciated only if one has already read "How Tom Beat Captain Najork and his Hired Sportsmen." This sequel is just as delightful and quirky as the first Captain Najork book. I wish there were more in the series. I think I enjoy both books more than my kids do, actually.

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rest in peace, Russell Hoban.

[Dan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book with a jam powered frog, hired sportsmen, a pedal powered snake and a fearsome lady in an iron hat ...scaling the heights of greatness.

[Alex Fallis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as brilliant has the first Najork, but still fabulous.

[Michael Earp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully absurd and slightly inappropriate. I LOVE It!

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, smart, great story and fantastic characters.

[Zayneea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really understand the story, a bit too random for me but loved the illustrations.

[Celeste Ng]

Pure nonsense, and the Quentin Blake illustrations are divine. So glad this has been republished.

[DiscoSpacePanther · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most peculiar! Even more so than the original Najork book!