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We Must Save Jepson!
Cannibals and lions and murder – oh my!
Intrepid librarian H. R. Huxtable and his column of misfits are out to save Jepson’s beleaguered British outpost in central Africa—battling rock-strewn rivers, bloody jungle, hungry cannibals, and each other. His toad-witted captains are slaves to drink. The only female member of the expedition is on a personal crusade to stamp out celibacy. And while none of them seem to respect his authority, one of them has gone so far as to ventilate his tent with bullets, which is a bit much.
Undaunted, Huxtable perseveres.
We Must Save Jepson! is a satirical romp through the Victorian era of exploration and expansion, wherein our hero discovers hitherto unknown depths of character despite the self-satisfied arrogance of his age, and proves that sometimes it does you good to get out of the library (and your tent).
Crikey!
Intrepid librarian H. R. Huxtable and his column of misfits are out to save Jepson’s beleaguered British outpost in central Africa—battling rock-strewn rivers, bloody jungle, hungry cannibals, and each other. His toad-witted captains are slaves to drink. The only female member of the expedition is on a personal crusade to stamp out celibacy. And while none of them seem to respect his authority, one of them has gone so far as to ventilate his tent with bullets, which is a bit much.
Undaunted, Huxtable perseveres.
We Must Save Jepson! is a satirical romp through the Victorian era of exploration and expansion, wherein our hero discovers hitherto unknown depths of character despite the self-satisfied arrogance of his age, and proves that sometimes it does you good to get out of the library (and your tent).
Crikey!
126 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2020
64 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Mark Petersen
2 books8 followersAddictions counselor by day. Crime fiction addict and author by night. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in my books is, um, mostly coincidental.
I've also worked as an archaeologist, truck driver, logger, and bike-tour guide in Paris.
I attended law school for one day. That was enough.
Crime and comedy? Way more interesting.
I've also worked as an archaeologist, truck driver, logger, and bike-tour guide in Paris.
I attended law school for one day. That was enough.
Crime and comedy? Way more interesting.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 18, 2020
Heart of Darkness meets Carry on Up The Jungle....
This amusing short adventure tale resemblant of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is told to us through 16 letters, written by expedition leader H R Huxtable.
Huxtable and his unfortunate crew of disobedient drunkard captains, lazy marijuana smoking carriers and a lady who’s appeal to protect the sacred art of celibacy appears to be a ploy to single handedly destroy it - are tasked with reaching Camp Bim to rescue one Jepson, who apparently is in desperate need of help and assistance.
However, it remains to be seen whether Jepson is in need of ‘rescuing’; whether Huxtable has the ability to lead the mission, and whether the motley crew tasked with assisting Huxtable will make the mission a success.
With humor and sillyness riddled throughout this adventure story, it reminds one of the silly similar tale of the 60’s Carry On Up The Jungle. With hungry cannibals, fornication behind tent flaps, drunken fighting and a useless Librarian leading the charge, the adventure is always doomed to fail.
I enjoyed reading this for some light amusement, although am glad it was only a novella as I couldn’t have endured a longer book of this. I liked it for its silly take on the Heart of Darkness style adventure and appreciated it from this perspective. Thanks to BookSirens and the author for a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
3 stars.
This amusing short adventure tale resemblant of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is told to us through 16 letters, written by expedition leader H R Huxtable.
Huxtable and his unfortunate crew of disobedient drunkard captains, lazy marijuana smoking carriers and a lady who’s appeal to protect the sacred art of celibacy appears to be a ploy to single handedly destroy it - are tasked with reaching Camp Bim to rescue one Jepson, who apparently is in desperate need of help and assistance.
However, it remains to be seen whether Jepson is in need of ‘rescuing’; whether Huxtable has the ability to lead the mission, and whether the motley crew tasked with assisting Huxtable will make the mission a success.
With humor and sillyness riddled throughout this adventure story, it reminds one of the silly similar tale of the 60’s Carry On Up The Jungle. With hungry cannibals, fornication behind tent flaps, drunken fighting and a useless Librarian leading the charge, the adventure is always doomed to fail.
I enjoyed reading this for some light amusement, although am glad it was only a novella as I couldn’t have endured a longer book of this. I liked it for its silly take on the Heart of Darkness style adventure and appreciated it from this perspective. Thanks to BookSirens and the author for a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
3 stars.
September 23, 2020
A little Flashman, a lot of fun. One of the subset of English/ adventurers/sleuths set in or around the Victorian era books that are fun to read if done well. This one is. Look forward to more by this author.
August 14, 2020
An adventure with bloated spiders, insects, and hostile tribes!
What a wonderful, strange, and unique piece this tale was outstanding! This satire was so entertaining. I loved the characters they all were awesome but our British librarian was such fun. The splendid humor will have you laughing out loud. I just knew this was going to be a special read by the cover but I did not expect how good it turned out. It is told in sixteen letters this piece will keep you completely engaged in the must-read gem. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
What a wonderful, strange, and unique piece this tale was outstanding! This satire was so entertaining. I loved the characters they all were awesome but our British librarian was such fun. The splendid humor will have you laughing out loud. I just knew this was going to be a special read by the cover but I did not expect how good it turned out. It is told in sixteen letters this piece will keep you completely engaged in the must-read gem. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
November 30, 2020
I really thought this was a fun book to read. It is full of adventure and colorful characters. We follow the adventures of Huxtable in colonial Africa as he and his party go on a rescue mission to save Jepson. What happens after the mission is a nice twist and ended the book on a interesting note. Just a fun book to read and well written. I received an advanced copy of this book through Book Sirens and I thank both them and the author for a chance to read this book.
October 4, 2020
What an extraordinary novella ! Absolutely well written, it is a masterpiece ! It is best not to reveal anything about the story, but the least to be said is that it is highly enjoyable !
i will recommend this pure jewel !
All opinions are mine, I received a copy from NetGalley
i will recommend this pure jewel !
All opinions are mine, I received a copy from NetGalley
June 14, 2021
Very different. Funny. Clever
October 3, 2020
I loved the way this was written, through letters. It gave different perspectives and really let me get to know the characters. I wished it was longer as it was really funny!
November 27, 2020
This book was a fun read! It reminded me of old black and white films with teams of British explorers. It felt like I was reading one of those old films if that makes sense. It was a nice book that I could see myself reading once again in the future. I'll definitely talk about it with my book club!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 6, 2020
I really enjoyed this book, it really made me laugh.
H. R Huxtable is in the wilds of Africa on a mission to save a fellow Englishman, whether he needs saving or not. He tells his story through a succession of letters mailed in 1888. The letters show how this ramble of people manage to trudge through the wilderness. Huxtable is a librarian who is surrounded by a mixed rabble, two officers who hate other, a native guide and a woman who is supposed to be promoting celibacy.
Being a librarian he really isn’t equipped to lead a mission anywhere, least of all through Africa, facing wild animals and enemies. However his never die attitude and his educational knowledge helps in the most unlikely of situations.
The letters really made me laugh and I learnt some new words, which is always good. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and hope that we get hear more from Huxtable and his comrades.
H. R Huxtable is in the wilds of Africa on a mission to save a fellow Englishman, whether he needs saving or not. He tells his story through a succession of letters mailed in 1888. The letters show how this ramble of people manage to trudge through the wilderness. Huxtable is a librarian who is surrounded by a mixed rabble, two officers who hate other, a native guide and a woman who is supposed to be promoting celibacy.
Being a librarian he really isn’t equipped to lead a mission anywhere, least of all through Africa, facing wild animals and enemies. However his never die attitude and his educational knowledge helps in the most unlikely of situations.
The letters really made me laugh and I learnt some new words, which is always good. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and hope that we get hear more from Huxtable and his comrades.
October 22, 2020
"As to any surly tribes in our own path, we will throw bright beads at them. Or we will brandish our rifles. For Queen and Country, we shall fall in line, tighten our belts, and keep our chins up."
Pretty much sums up We Must Save Jepson! A humorous tale that wittily puts you in the mind of a ridiculous librarian on a quest for glory.
My biggest problem was the plot. It was one dimensional from beginning to end. I was hoping for some deeper theme to present itself, but one never did.
Pretty much sums up We Must Save Jepson! A humorous tale that wittily puts you in the mind of a ridiculous librarian on a quest for glory.
My biggest problem was the plot. It was one dimensional from beginning to end. I was hoping for some deeper theme to present itself, but one never did.
February 1, 2021
Victorian librarian, H. R. Huxtable is on an ill fated mission to save the commander of a remote fort in the depths of Africa. Accompanied by two surly, drunken captains, a legion native porters and one brazen woman who claims to belong to the movement to wipe out celibacy, the expedition is doomed. The story is told through letters to home about how they face cannibals, voracious lions, a stampeding hippo, wild rivers, dysentery, and disease to save a man who doesn't want to be saved.
This is a hilarious satire. The ending was certainly not what I expected.
This is a hilarious satire. The ending was certainly not what I expected.
December 6, 2020
Fun in the jungle, fighting off bugs, cannibals, lions, rhinos and a sex-crazed advocate of celibacy. Huxtable the brave librarian sets off to save a stranded Brit from the Mahdi. This send up of Colonialism in its depths will remind one of the beloved Harry Flashman, although not quite as witty or erudite. Good fun to read.
December 11, 2020
Huzzah for Jepson
Though improbable, the story is a great lark. Fun and amusing characters. The letter format works very well to keep the story line moving. Fun read.
Though improbable, the story is a great lark. Fun and amusing characters. The letter format works very well to keep the story line moving. Fun read.
August 11, 2020
I received a copy of this book from Hidden Gems, and this is a voluntary and honest review.
This book is a novella, as described. The time period is the end of the 19th century. It is written in the form of each chapter being a letter or despatchment from the intrepid leader - Huxtable, who is actually a pompous librarian - to a variety of persons, informing them of his progress and encounters to reach and save a Governor Jepson at his outpost in central Africa. The chapters are written in a Victorian style of the upper class.
It was a strange book. Did I enjoy it or not? I'm really not sure. I read it to the end, but was this purely out of curiosity or was I drawn into the story. Personally, I believe it was the former. There are moments of dark humour, but not enough to consider it a comical adventure.
As a review, I'll leave it in the swinging balance of 3-stars.
This book is a novella, as described. The time period is the end of the 19th century. It is written in the form of each chapter being a letter or despatchment from the intrepid leader - Huxtable, who is actually a pompous librarian - to a variety of persons, informing them of his progress and encounters to reach and save a Governor Jepson at his outpost in central Africa. The chapters are written in a Victorian style of the upper class.
It was a strange book. Did I enjoy it or not? I'm really not sure. I read it to the end, but was this purely out of curiosity or was I drawn into the story. Personally, I believe it was the former. There are moments of dark humour, but not enough to consider it a comical adventure.
As a review, I'll leave it in the swinging balance of 3-stars.
September 29, 2020
Maybe I would have liked this better if the main character died.
Huxable has been given the task of going through central Africa to save British outpost run by a man named Jepson. However, as Huxable is only a librarian his knowledge on surviving the African jungle is laughable.
This book can be amusing. However, at the end I was tired of Huxable's naivety and wished for his luck to run out.
This book is based on an advanced reading copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.
Huxable has been given the task of going through central Africa to save British outpost run by a man named Jepson. However, as Huxable is only a librarian his knowledge on surviving the African jungle is laughable.
This book can be amusing. However, at the end I was tired of Huxable's naivety and wished for his luck to run out.
This book is based on an advanced reading copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.
September 16, 2020
A short, sometimes funny novella, detailing Mr. Huxtable’s journey across Africa to safe Mr. Jepson.
The story is told through various letter exchanges, mostly from Mr. Huxtable’s point of view. According to him it is a long hard journey and it is perfectly normal that it is led by him, a librarian.
Barring all this the journey ends in success, from a certain point of view.
The story is told through various letter exchanges, mostly from Mr. Huxtable’s point of view. According to him it is a long hard journey and it is perfectly normal that it is led by him, a librarian.
Barring all this the journey ends in success, from a certain point of view.
May 12, 2021
This book didn’t really work for me... a series of letters describing the daily events. CS Lewis wrote THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, in a similar format and it was intriguing... However, in WE MUST SAVE JEPSON, some parts were funny, but overall, I found it to be tiresome. Unfortunately, I can’t say that I enjoyed this book.
October 17, 2020
I found this book tedious and un-funny. The premise is wonderful but the execution did not do anything for me, unfortunately!
September 13, 2021
DNF Just not for me.
June 28, 2022
This was a rather stupid complete waste of time. Yeah, I get it that it's satirical, but damn...it was just completely pointless and dumb.
November 8, 2023
Book was awesome....quick read and hilarious!!!! epistolary short story on what 1880"s British expansion really was.....enjoy it....
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews