The Return of Captain Conquer: A Science Fiction Novel

In the house with two front doors, Watson Congruent's father sells souvenirs from the long-canceled TV show, The Adventures of Captain Conquer, and is also trying to build an actual "motivator," the device that powered the Captain's huge spaceship. And then one day Watson comes home from school to find both his house and father--vanished! With the help of some eccentric Captain Conquer fans, including the man with forty pounds of brains in his nose, Watson sets out to find his father--and not so incidentally, to save the world from an alien invasion. A great science fiction adventure for young adults--of all ages!

Grade 5 Up Watson Congruent helps his father, Sherlock, run the Captain Conquer PX, selling memorabilia of that famous old TV show, but Watson finds his father's fan worship embarrassing. One day he comes home to find both house and father vanished. Could it have something to do with the sinister Charlieville Planning Commissioners, or the fact that Sherlock was trying to build a motivator like the one that powered the Captain's stratoship? With the help of a troop of eccentric Captain Conquer fans, Watson sets out to find his father, and perhaps even save the world. This is a wonderfully funny science fiction serial parody that stays true to its inner logic throughout, as the plot takes on the characteristics of the TV show that its characters adore. The details are satisfyingly absurd, and the characters are ingeniously loony, but they grow, especially when they learn something about the nature of heroes, and hero worship. Anyone who has ever known someone crazy about TV shows like Star Trek or Doctor Who will find lots to recognize and laugh over here. This is a book for Pinkwater fans and those who enjoy Monty Python. It also might entice a few reluctant readers. Annette Curtis Klause, Montgomery County Libraries, Md.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.