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Captain Najork #2
A Near Thing for Captain Najork
Captain Najork has never quite got over the time that Tom beat him and his hired sportsmen at womble, muck and sneedball, so when he sees Tom hurtle past his window in a two-seater jam powered frog, he sets off in hot pursuit.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
About the author
Russell Hoban
165 books381 followersRussell Conwell Hoban was an American expatriate writer. His works span many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, mainstream fiction, magical realism, poetry, and children's books. He lived in London, England, from 1969 until his death. (Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 2, 2017
Hysterical!
January 13, 2018
Where is the sportive infant?
December 30, 2019
a jam-powered emotional roller-coaster
November 11, 2021
They may not be pearls of wisdom, but both Captain Najork books are little gems nonetheless.
February 5, 2017
There were some great moments in this one, like the wonderful illustration of Aunt Fidget Wonkham-Strong carrying the captain's tea up the stairs singing "Heart of Oak," and the commissaire's line "There is a lady at the door who wants a pot of jam and there is a snake at the window, madam," but on the whole this book seems contrived where the first book just seemed perfect. Bundlejoy Cosysweet's character is not developed at all, and while Aunt Fidget Wonkham-Strong seemed somehow transformed and redeemed at the end of the previous book, she is now simply unlikeable. Her magic is gone. Also, the captain's lust and the nasty love triangle make it less appropriate and appealing for kids. Possibly I would be easier on this book if it wasn't in the shadow of such a mighty predecessor.
January 26, 2014
I like this book but it's a bit odd in patches. I do wonder whether it's part of a series of books and I'd have found it less odd if I'd read other ones first. What had me reeling was the phrase, 'Captain Najork was in the observatory looking through his telescope at the girls' boarding-school across the river'. Given the news stories about Operation Yewtree I think I'm a little over-sensitive at the moment. Anyway, it turns out that Captain Najork is actually watching the headmistress of the school pump iron. Still a bit weird but then every character in this book is weird. And that is what is so utterly joyous about it. It's one of those really nonsensical children's books. And the illustrations are by Quentin Blake so the odd characters have the most wonderful odd expressions.
January 20, 2012
I imagine this book can be fully appreciated only if one has already read "How Tom Beat Captain Najork and his Hired Sportsmen." This sequel is just as delightful and quirky as the first Captain Najork book. I wish there were more in the series. I think I enjoy both books more than my kids do, actually.
December 29, 2011
Rest in peace, Russell Hoban.
January 13, 2013
A book with a jam powered frog, hired sportsmen, a pedal powered snake and a fearsome lady in an iron hat ...scaling the heights of greatness.
April 16, 2013
Not quite as brilliant has the first Najork, but still fabulous.
January 22, 2015
Delightfully absurd and slightly inappropriate. I LOVE It!
January 22, 2015
Funny, smart, great story and fantastic characters.
May 4, 2015
I didn't really understand the story, a bit too random for me but loved the illustrations.
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November 6, 2013Pure nonsense, and the Quentin Blake illustrations are divine. So glad this has been republished.
July 5, 2015
Most peculiar! Even more so than the original Najork book!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews