Me So Far

The Bandy Papers #7

by Donald Jack

The final volume in the Bandy Papers series finds the outrageous and inventive Bartholomew Bandy in India, where he creates and leads a new air force for the Maharajah of Jhamjarh

Genres: Historical Fiction, Canada, Humor, Comedy

346 pages, Hardcover

First published August 25, 1989

About the author

Novelist, playwright, and scriptwriter. Best known for his "Bandy Papers" novels about WWI ace Bartholomew Bandy, which won Jack the Leacock award three times for volumes of the series. Also penned the first modern play performed at the Stratford Festival of Canada, and wrote numerous scripts for television and radio.

Reviews

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entry number 7 (of 9) in Donald Jacks Bartholomew Bandy series (Canadian First World War air ace), set - this time - in India, in the mid 1920s (1925, to be precise).

Having - inadvertently - previously saved the life of Prince Khoosie of the state of Jhamjarh, this novel starts with Bandy travelling to that continent to help them set up their own air force: an air force that is viewed with some misgivings by the (British) powers-that-be, who are convinced that it will be used against them and who refuse to heed any warnings about an uprising that is planned by another Indian state, even going so far as to take their side against Jhamjarh.

As things turn out, of course, the British government have it all backwards …


As I've said before, I found the quality of these novels to have declined in direct proportion to their settings: for my money, the earlier books (set during and just after WW1) are far superior to these later instalments. Having said that, I did find this one to be more enjoyable than its immediate predecessor, with a few laugh-out-loud moments and a further insight into just how Bandy's First World War experiences have affected him

[Del Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't overstate how much I loved this book. To be clear, I've loved all the Bandy Papers books, especially one and four, but something about this one feels special to me. Maybe it's because Bandy was finally coming into his own after so many years of filtering through interests, always getting into trouble and having to start over. He rises to the occasion with a level of sobriety and investment that we hadn't seen before.

IDK, it felt good to read, and had Jack's characteristic humour throughout. Also, it was the only book that every made me question whether Bandy is attractive? Not that it matters, it just never occurred to me before to wonder.

FYI they are now coming out with audiobooks for this series, and Cyril from Archer is the narrator. He's actually pretty good, and suits the character of Bandy!

[Mark Edlund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humour series - supposedly the last book in the Bandy papers until Jack decided to write two more novels in the series. Bandy and his air force are now set up in India. Politics, underhanded dealings and Bandy having some philosophical reflections on his antipathy towards authority move this plot along nicely. The final battle scene is well done.
No pharmacy references.
Canadian references - Bandy is Canadian and several of his pilots are also.

[Chris Tschirhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is that if you want a great Laugh about the ups and downs of an incompetent and lovable bumbling hero of a flyer you have to read all of "The Bandy Papers Books. I have never laughed till I couldn't breath so much in my life.

[Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one more than Volumes 5 and 6. Another humorous account of Bandy, but this time he is in India.