Urgum the Axeman

by Kjartan Poskitt, Philip Reeve (Illustrator)

You'll laugh your head off| Urgum the Axeman is the fiercest barbarian that the Forgotten Desert has ever known - a legendary hero who once chewed a live bull to death... But one fateful day Urgum returns home to find that not only has his wife redecorated his cave and installed a bathroom, but she's also produced a ten-year-old daughter. And, as Urgum will find out, Little Molly is a barbarian babe with attitude...

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Humor

432 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2006

About the author

Kjartan Poskitt is an author and TV presenter who is best known for writing the Murderous Maths children's series of books. Poskitt was educated at Collingwood College, Durham. In addition to his popular science and maths books, which include books on Isaac Newton (Dead Famous: Isaac Newton and his Apple), puzzles, practical jokes and secred codes, Poskitt has written a book of magical tricks, a GCSE Maths support book and four Rosie and Jim annuals. In 2007, Poskit published the first in a new series of children's novels called Urgum the Axeman.

He also wrote the theme tune for the children's art program SMart, as well as the title theme and music for the first two series of Brum. He is also the creator of a logic puzzle, Kjarposko.

He has been a presenter for a number of (mostly BBC) educational children's TV shows.

Reviews

[Soňa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odporúčané mojim drahým a kým u Pes z Rowanu to vyšlo, toto nebol taký úspech.

Extrémne zábavná legenda plná barbarov na kolesách, čudesných tvorov, do všetkého sa miešajúcich bohov, ľudožravých rastlín a vskutku nechutných záchodov.

Takže prejdime si to:
- extrémne? Hmm, ušlo mi niečo? Lebo extrém to nebol, ani zábavné a ani legendárne... Dokonca mám obavu, že mi to ani vtipné neprišlo
- barbari na kolesách? Tak to tam fakt nebolo, barbari jazdili na koňoch a jemnorukí využívali buď prácu otrokov na nosenie divánov alebo vozy...
- čudesných tvorov tam bolo na milú jarmilu. Na druhú stranu, keďže toto chcel byť príbeh z čias dávno minulých, tak prečo nie
- hej, bohovia pchali nos do všetkého, na vysvetlenie nechceli prísť o posledného veriaceho, ktorého by po jeho smrti mali obsluhovať v nebi, takže z núdze cnosť, aby predišli jeho smrti
- ľudožravé rastliny? Ako rátam tak rátam, v knihe bola až jedna, slovom a písmom 1ks. Síce nadrozmerných rozmerov a apetítu, ale len jedna
- záchod bol tiež len jeden a zohral úlohu až 2x, tak neviem či to bolo až také podstatné

Ak si odrátame tie opisy akože barbarského sveta, tak ide o príbeh naj naj naj teda najukrutnejší, najobávanejší, najsilnejší a aj najšialenejší a tak ďalej no proste naj barbarovi a jeho dcére. Teda pohľad na vzťah otca a dcéry, kde ten prvý potrebuje dospieť a zobrať zodpovednosť a tá druhá zas potrebuje spoznať svet a mať oboch rodičov. That's All folks😀 viac za tým hľadať netreba...

Prvá veta: Za ohlušujúcim dupotom koní, ktoré cválali okolo Zabudnutého krátera ku Golgartu, sa zo Stratenej púšte dvíhalo rozvírené mračno prachu.
Posledná veta: Ten vtip nakoniec predsa len nevypálil najhoršie.
Goodreads Challenge 2019: 93. kniha

[Ruthran Chandrasekar · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my earliest, people!!!

This Axeman hooked me to books for life.
I got this from Scholastic and have never been able to put down books since.
Totally hilarious and perfect for school-children to start them on their journey towards books and the impossibly large number of universes contained in them.

Ps. I still have it and read it once a while for the sheer fun it is .

[Dacko]

Šašave, urnebesne i malčice krvoločne dogodovštine opasnog divljaka, njegove lepo vaspitane supruge, njihove gomile sinova i jedne kćerčice koju bogovi šalju Urgumu kako bi im pomogla da ga dovedu u red. Pračetovski, ali prljavije i krvavije, kao što divljacima i priliči.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily my son's favourite. He loves a good laugh. I read some of this out loud to him and was laughing as much.

[Vladimir Jankovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book is about what happens to the most savage wild man when his gods can't tolerate him any more. I enjoyed so much reading it. Funny story with nice illustrations as well. At moments it kinda resembles Prachet's writing, but I will not hold that against it.

[Ishan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny book with amazing characters.Written very well it is one of the top 5 books I have read.

[Luke Mcguinness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny Hilarious what more can you say about this amazing book. Urgum is such a great character.

[Chiththarthan Nagarajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complete guide of How to be a smelly , strong and big barbarian. I am not a big fan of book with illustration but Philip Reeve did a excellent job of sketching a proper face and figure for each character which goes way perfectly with the Poskitt's narration.

I fall in love with Divina; Her mean look reminded me of my roommate though.

And Molly! Badass

There is a child in everyone, but we need a book like Urgum to realise that. A childhood book with a certain level of grossness tolerance needed. I think kids will love this kind of yuckiness.

[Cathy Kristiansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never had so much fun reading to a 9-year-old boy as with this Urgum series! The books are a wonderful blend of rollicking storytelling and the perspective that seems to delight kids that age -- adults behaving badly in a way they wouldn't! There's plenty for the imagination in Urgum's strange and dangerous world and lots to laugh about as he somehow survives endless mishaps -- helped by the gods for a reason I won't reveal here!

[Zoe Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my kids wanted us to all read this together. He had previously read it. While I can’t say I was excited to read it, I will say I actually enjoyed the author’s critique on taxes and rules in society. It was an unexpected delightful and humorous book with creative perspectives. I’m glad I honored my son’s request for us to read it as a family.

[BambiiBooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book 11 years ago and there are definitely bits i chuckled at whilst reading this today but its definitely targeted to a younger audience, i should not have waited so long to read this. The drawings were entertaining and the storyline funny thoughh. Would suggest for 10-15 years old

[Alana Haeuser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious! Funniest book ever!

[Teddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminiscent of Terry Pratchett. Fun story.

[Igor Gligorijevic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Смехотресна сага у којој ћете затећи дивљаке у галопу, уврнута створења,
божанства која се петљају у туђа посла, биљке људождерке, као и један прилично одвратан тоалет. Смејаћете се до суза.

8/10

[soda boj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t actually know the date of reading this but it was so fun.

[Daania Shuaib · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was weirdly addictive

[Jennifer Plested · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read, different to many children's books I have read, also a bit gruesome so I'm sure youngsters would love it. Would read another one :)

[Nate Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK literally fly through it every time I read it. Funny and sweet and entertaining and literally such a good book. Most excellent indeed.

[Kate Trigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun to read. Urgum the Axeman is a happy barbarian, loving life to the full and always up for a good battle.

But can he change his reckless lifestyle to accommodate the birth of his first daughter?

This book is a hilarious tale of a barbarian living in an evolving society, trying furiously to maintain his traditional caveman lifestyle, while simultaneously trying to be a father to his first daughter. The story delves into his struggle to move with the times, and her struggle to build a strong relationship with her ridiculous barbarian father.

Poskitt writes about beautiful fantasy creatures, barbaric societies, gods, empires, siblings and marriage. Every time I read this book I find myself laughing aloud and always carry a smile afterwards. It is heartwarming and fun and a great book for children.

[Carol Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah, I know this was written for a much younger audience, but I thoroughly enjoyed this. From the twin gods Tangor and Tangal, to Urgum’s daughter Molly, to Urgum’s fight against his wife’s efforts to civilize him, this was a hilarious, action packed read. There are two more books in this series and I already have the second one. Can’t wait to read more!

[Ishaan Banerji · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite comic books. Simple, fast flowing, easily read, and wonderfully immature. I would recommend that everyone read this at least once(I've read it at least 8 times). A welcome break from the unrelenting seriousness of life.

[Shallowreader VaVeros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odd fantasy story about barbarian Urgum and his 7 crazy sons and their sister who is being chased by tax collectors. Funny book.

[Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is hilarious!

[Rach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Make sure to read this!

[Wortschmuggler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immer noch eins meiner Lieblingskinderbücher

[lunaria. · Rating 4 out of 5]

› Rating:
— 4.5 Stars.

[alex nalder · Rating 4 out of 5]

cool