Items related to Fall of Fergal (Unlikely Exploits)
Synopsis
Philip Ardagh, the smart, silly author of the Eddie Dickens trilogy (and often called the UK's answer to Lemony Snicket), kicks off another smart, silly series with The Fall of Fergal.
Between an internal-dialogue prologue and an early in-story, readers will quickly realize that the plot of Fergal will probably prove secondary to Ardagh's free-wheeling self-referential style. But how can you argue when you're having this much fun? Even as the book begins with its ending, Ardagh's strategy works as brilliantly as ever--and even includes a semi-sensible plot: young Le Fay McNally has reached the Tap 'n' Type Young Typist of the Year Grand Finals, and she hopes to smuggle her older sister, twin brothers, and one younger brother into the luxurious Dell hotel to watch her compete. The poor, put-upon, ill-fed McNally kids reel at the poshness of the Dell, and comedy ensues as Le Fay first sneaks her siblings into the hotel, then begins meeting her competitors (including the hilariously illustrated and described Graham Large: "the hair--my God, the hair--that was most shocking of all. Thick, dark brown, and swept back into an enormous quiff, it was so stiff that it looked more like spun sugar....She'd never met such a sweet-smelling, softy-skinned, quiffy person in shorts before").
Between his knowing asides, Ardagh squeezes in a few other hilarious characters--including chief hotel detective Capt. Twinkle-Toes Tweedy (Retd.) and voluminously mustachioed ventriloquist and beat poet Hieronymus Peach--before the white-knuckle Tap 'n' Type finals and the book's climactic ending (which, if you'll remember, came at the book's beginning). Fans and soon-to-be fans of Ardagh will be glad to hear him confide that there's much, much more in store for the McNallys: "There are three books in this series, and something has to happen in the other two!" (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes
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About the Author
Over two metres tall, with a bushy beard, Philip Ardagh is not only very hairy but has also written over sixty books for all ages. He is extremely versatile with many talents. Not only is he very knowledgeable about serious subjects but he also writes very funny books that make lots of people laugh. His best-selling Eddie Dickens trilogy started with Awful End, continued with Dreadful Acts and is soon to be topped off by Terrible Times. 'A cross between Dickens and Monty Python' (Guardian) is just one of the many plaudits this series of books has received. Unlikely Exploits is another series, the first one of which is called The Fall of Fergal with Heir of Mystery following that. He also writes expertly compiled and researched non-fiction, The Archaeologist's Handbook, Why Are Castles Castle-Shaped?, Did Dinosaurs Snore? and The Hieroglyphs Handbook.
Review
"Praise for Awful End, Book One of the 'Eddie Dickens Trilogy': '... a scrumptious cross between Dickens and Monty Python.' Guardian 'Like Roddy Doyle, Philip Ardagh plays with narrative to hilarious effect.' The Bookseller 'It would be a sad soul that didn't find this book hilarious.' Financial Times
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherDemco Media
- Publication date2005
- ISBN 10 0606341781
- ISBN 13 9780606341783
- BindingPaperback
- LanguageEnglish
- Rating
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