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Uncollected
Unbearable
Where can you run when you're covered in toenails? Could smelly feet really put you to sleep? Why did Gary go to school with his head in a birdcage? How do you recover your opal when a goat has swallowed it? What was Splinter's job before he was born? You'll never guess. And you'll have to wait till the last page of each story to find out.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1990
27 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Paul Jennings
276 books361 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Paul Jennings was born in Heston near London, and at the age of 6 emigrated to Melbourne, Australia on a boat. He was on the boat for 5 weeks with his family. He attended Bentleigh West Primary School and Caulfield Grammar School.
After graduating from school, he went to Frankston Teachers College (now part of Monash University) and became a teacher. He taught students at Frankston State School, Kangaroo Flat State School, the Turana Youth Training Centre, and the Royal Children's Hospital State School in Mount Eliza. He later went on to study at the Lincoln Institute of Health Science (now part of LaTrobe University) and became a speech pathologist, then worked as a Lecturer in Special Education at Burwood State College (now part of Deakin University). In 1979 he became Senior Lecturer in Language and Literature at Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education (now part of Deakin University).
In 1985, Jennings' first book of short stories, Unreal! was published, during which he worked as a lecturer and wrote part-time; in 1989, he made the decision to devote his full time to writing. Many of his short stories, published between 1985 and 1991, were also adapted into the first and second series of the popular Australian television show Round the Twist.
Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (2000).
Paul Jennings was born in Heston near London, and at the age of 6 emigrated to Melbourne, Australia on a boat. He was on the boat for 5 weeks with his family. He attended Bentleigh West Primary School and Caulfield Grammar School.
After graduating from school, he went to Frankston Teachers College (now part of Monash University) and became a teacher. He taught students at Frankston State School, Kangaroo Flat State School, the Turana Youth Training Centre, and the Royal Children's Hospital State School in Mount Eliza. He later went on to study at the Lincoln Institute of Health Science (now part of LaTrobe University) and became a speech pathologist, then worked as a Lecturer in Special Education at Burwood State College (now part of Deakin University). In 1979 he became Senior Lecturer in Language and Literature at Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education (now part of Deakin University).
In 1985, Jennings' first book of short stories, Unreal! was published, during which he worked as a lecturer and wrote part-time; in 1989, he made the decision to devote his full time to writing. Many of his short stories, published between 1985 and 1991, were also adapted into the first and second series of the popular Australian television show Round the Twist.
Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (2000).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 21, 2013
I have read the book 'Unbearable' by Paul Jennings because I needed a book to read and the cover on this book looked exiting. Also I knew that Paul Jennings is a great writer because his other books are really good. I wanted to read another Paul Jennings book because they interest me.
This is from the category which is my own choice. For me this was a good category because it can nearly be any book that you want. This gives you freedom to choose a really good book that you want to read. This book has 8 different short stories in it so it is like one big book put together.
From the first story 'Licked' my favourite character is a mischievous boy called Andrew. He tricks his dad by licking a fly swat with crushed blueberries on it to look like dead flies. In the second story 'Little Black balls' there is a character called the paper man who is homeless. I like him the best because he wants to help animals even with the little money he has. He thinks of others rather than himself. In the third story 'Only Gilt' Gary is my favourite character. He punishes himself by putting his head in a birdcage for all his life and then realizes it was all just a misunderstanding. And finally in the story 'Next Time Around' I like a Chicken called Ratus. Ratus is very smart, he can count up to twenty by pecking his beak on the edge of his cage. It turned out that in a life before he was a chicken, Ratus was a maths teacher.
My favourite quote from the fifth story 'Nails' was "one day I'll hit the jackpot."He never ends up finding his treasure but his son does after he is dead.The sixth book 'Yuggles' had 'How are we going to win that egg' as the best quote. This is when two boys promise a sick girl that they would win her a giant Easter egg for her.The quote 'Because we planted it on granddads grave' came from the story 'grandads gifts. A lemon tree was planted over a grave and one day it grew magical lemons. This helped a sick fox back to health. Lastly from the book 'Smelly Feat' my favourite quote was 'Get back! or I'll use these!'This was when a group of bullies came to fetch a turtle trying to lay eggs on a beach. A good boy has smelly feet so he keeps his shoes on for a month and takes them off when the bullies threaten him. They all instantly faint.
After reading the all different stories I think that you shouldn't jump to assumptions because it probably isn't the case. These stories were really cool and it is one of the few books that I WANTED to read.
This is from the category which is my own choice. For me this was a good category because it can nearly be any book that you want. This gives you freedom to choose a really good book that you want to read. This book has 8 different short stories in it so it is like one big book put together.
From the first story 'Licked' my favourite character is a mischievous boy called Andrew. He tricks his dad by licking a fly swat with crushed blueberries on it to look like dead flies. In the second story 'Little Black balls' there is a character called the paper man who is homeless. I like him the best because he wants to help animals even with the little money he has. He thinks of others rather than himself. In the third story 'Only Gilt' Gary is my favourite character. He punishes himself by putting his head in a birdcage for all his life and then realizes it was all just a misunderstanding. And finally in the story 'Next Time Around' I like a Chicken called Ratus. Ratus is very smart, he can count up to twenty by pecking his beak on the edge of his cage. It turned out that in a life before he was a chicken, Ratus was a maths teacher.
My favourite quote from the fifth story 'Nails' was "one day I'll hit the jackpot."He never ends up finding his treasure but his son does after he is dead.The sixth book 'Yuggles' had 'How are we going to win that egg' as the best quote. This is when two boys promise a sick girl that they would win her a giant Easter egg for her.The quote 'Because we planted it on granddads grave' came from the story 'grandads gifts. A lemon tree was planted over a grave and one day it grew magical lemons. This helped a sick fox back to health. Lastly from the book 'Smelly Feat' my favourite quote was 'Get back! or I'll use these!'This was when a group of bullies came to fetch a turtle trying to lay eggs on a beach. A good boy has smelly feet so he keeps his shoes on for a month and takes them off when the bullies threaten him. They all instantly faint.
After reading the all different stories I think that you shouldn't jump to assumptions because it probably isn't the case. These stories were really cool and it is one of the few books that I WANTED to read.
October 5, 2021
2,5 stars
ENGLISH: I have read six of the eight stories in this collection, which are included in my editions of the works of Paul Jennings. These stories are weird, but not spooky.
The stories I liked best were "Licked," where a boy tries to make his father break his promise not to tell off him; "Only Gilt," where a boy tries to punish himself for having caused the death of his beloved neighbor girl's budgie, by going to school with his head inside a gilded bird cage.
ESPAÑOL: He leído seis de los ocho cuentos de esta colección, los que aparecen en mis ediciones de las obras de Paul Jennings. Estos cuentos son raros, pero no espeluznantes.
Los que más me gustaron fueron "Licked", en la que un chico se empeña en que su padre rompa la promesa de no regañarle; "Only Gilt", en la que un chico se auto-castiga por haber causado la muerte del periquito de su querida vecina, y se va al colegio con la cabeza metida en una jaula de pájaros.
ENGLISH: I have read six of the eight stories in this collection, which are included in my editions of the works of Paul Jennings. These stories are weird, but not spooky.
The stories I liked best were "Licked," where a boy tries to make his father break his promise not to tell off him; "Only Gilt," where a boy tries to punish himself for having caused the death of his beloved neighbor girl's budgie, by going to school with his head inside a gilded bird cage.
ESPAÑOL: He leído seis de los ocho cuentos de esta colección, los que aparecen en mis ediciones de las obras de Paul Jennings. Estos cuentos son raros, pero no espeluznantes.
Los que más me gustaron fueron "Licked", en la que un chico se empeña en que su padre rompa la promesa de no regañarle; "Only Gilt", en la que un chico se auto-castiga por haber causado la muerte del periquito de su querida vecina, y se va al colegio con la cabeza metida en una jaula de pájaros.
August 11, 2022
When I was a child, I remember a TV programme called "Round the Twist." It was a series which centred around a family, who lived in a lighthouse, and each episode gave you a weird and wonderful story. My partner also used to enjoy this series, but he told me that the creator, Paul Jennings, had written other weird tales. Recently, he bought this collection of short stories for me, as he used to love this book when he was a boy.
To be fair, I can see why these tales appealed to him. Unbearable has eight tales, which all have a large dose of the weird, along with a strange humour. Even though I am now a fair bit older than its target market, I have to admit that I did like the stories. In a weird way, they all shine a light on kids trying to find their place in the world:
"Kids don't have any power. They just have to do what they're told."
All eight tales shows how a child may be able to take a bit of power for themselves, as they try to make some kind of difference to their world. And, I think, even though this collection was first published just over 30 years ago, kids today might just find something to enjoy within these pages.
To be fair, I can see why these tales appealed to him. Unbearable has eight tales, which all have a large dose of the weird, along with a strange humour. Even though I am now a fair bit older than its target market, I have to admit that I did like the stories. In a weird way, they all shine a light on kids trying to find their place in the world:
"Kids don't have any power. They just have to do what they're told."
All eight tales shows how a child may be able to take a bit of power for themselves, as they try to make some kind of difference to their world. And, I think, even though this collection was first published just over 30 years ago, kids today might just find something to enjoy within these pages.
September 17, 2021
Another great book by Paul Jennings, crazy, wild, silly stories. This one had one of the stories that stuck in my brain since I was a child; Grandad's Gifts. Which was just a weird as I remember, and a tad creepy.
August 15, 2025
One of Jennings' stronger collections, with a good mix of imaginative comedy and more serious but still fantastical stories. Most of these were also adapted to Round the Twist.
LICKED (2.5/5)
A typical gross out story about a fly swatter lollipop, but a bit more fun than most because it's at the expense of the parents.
LITTLE BLACK BALLS (2/5)
Another gross out one, this time about the ol' "animal ate something and needs to poop it out" trope. Didn't need to be this long.
ONLY GILT (3/5)
Kinda like Jennings' take on The Telltale Heart, a story about the guilt one feels for being responsible for something seemingly unforgivable.
NEXT TIME AROUND (3/5)
Relies a bit too much on tropes surrounding hypnotism, but still a fun one, and has a great ending. Take THAT people trying to teach us for the world!!!
NAILS (4/5)
Some good ol' fashioned body horror, with some tragedy for good measure. Another good one!
YUGGLES (4/5)
Could have done without the sick sibling trope, but aside from that this is another fun one about some bizarre species of creature that shape shifts and explodes. A bully gets a good comeuppance in this once.
GRANDAD'S GIFTS (4.5/5)
A tale about resurrecting a fox skin scarf, with a great twist ending that I didn't see coming. Jennings really liked talking shit about people who hunted animals!
SMELLY FEAT (4/5)
A story about a kid using their stinky feet to defend the innocent, this was a fun one. Anyone can be a superhero!
LICKED (2.5/5)
A typical gross out story about a fly swatter lollipop, but a bit more fun than most because it's at the expense of the parents.
LITTLE BLACK BALLS (2/5)
Another gross out one, this time about the ol' "animal ate something and needs to poop it out" trope. Didn't need to be this long.
ONLY GILT (3/5)
Kinda like Jennings' take on The Telltale Heart, a story about the guilt one feels for being responsible for something seemingly unforgivable.
NEXT TIME AROUND (3/5)
Relies a bit too much on tropes surrounding hypnotism, but still a fun one, and has a great ending. Take THAT people trying to teach us for the world!!!
NAILS (4/5)
Some good ol' fashioned body horror, with some tragedy for good measure. Another good one!
YUGGLES (4/5)
Could have done without the sick sibling trope, but aside from that this is another fun one about some bizarre species of creature that shape shifts and explodes. A bully gets a good comeuppance in this once.
GRANDAD'S GIFTS (4.5/5)
A tale about resurrecting a fox skin scarf, with a great twist ending that I didn't see coming. Jennings really liked talking shit about people who hunted animals!
SMELLY FEAT (4/5)
A story about a kid using their stinky feet to defend the innocent, this was a fun one. Anyone can be a superhero!
October 19, 2022
I'd forgotten most of the stories in this collection, and they didn't make much of an impression the second time round except for 'Grandad's Gifts'; that was a magical and moving story reminiscent of English children's stories. 'Smelly Feat' was also something a bit special. The more of Paul Jennings's stories I reread as an adult, the more I can see the common themes and interests emerging: father-son relationships, school bullies and nasty teachers, social isolation, a prevailing love of animals. So curious to read Jennings's memoir Untwisted this summer to see if those threads came from truth.
December 11, 2019
Cool book! Full of odd stories with young teens having unusual adventures within their ordinary lives. Some stumbling into mischief and some trying to get out of the consequences.
Most of the stories have an underlying theme that someone who is finding life hard can find they can do something that reveals they are special, and often that they can benefit others.
However, other stories are just strange! They leave you wondering what that was all about? But also sets your mind churning as to how you would have dealt with a situation or how you would resolve the unusual ending.
Most of the stories have an underlying theme that someone who is finding life hard can find they can do something that reveals they are special, and often that they can benefit others.
However, other stories are just strange! They leave you wondering what that was all about? But also sets your mind churning as to how you would have dealt with a situation or how you would resolve the unusual ending.
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April 7, 2023acho que não faz sentido eu dar estrelas pq é um livro infantil… mas resolvi reler pq quando eu tinha uns 9 anos roubei ele do quarto do meu irmão e fiquei traumatizada lendo
realmente eh meio bizarro pq ao mesmo tempo q é super bobo e claramente infantil ele mostra umas coisas esquisitas não só pra crianças…. enfim sei lá!
realmente eh meio bizarro pq ao mesmo tempo q é super bobo e claramente infantil ele mostra umas coisas esquisitas não só pra crianças…. enfim sei lá!
April 6, 2022
Do you like a book with tales and mysterious and twist that will blow your mind. I recommend this book for kids and teenagers, as Paul Jennings book will amaze you. This book is weird cool and twisty that's what I love about this book. There is nothing that could make this great book better, and if you interested in reading this book go or buy it online or at the store.
:)
:)
February 28, 2022
A childhood classic.
May 18, 2022
Love rhese stories sm
April 12, 2023
The usual mix of quirky Jennings stories that are hit and Miss. There’s a story in here for everyone.
October 31, 2023
Read for work, a classic collection of short stories that will engage young minds.
January 5, 2010
Here are 8 more reviews on Jennings’ short stories.
Licked: Excellent! I think kids have a secret pact to embarrass their parents at the most inopportune times possible.
Little Black balls: Not my favorite but pretty good.
Only Gilt: Ha ha!! I really liked this story. I love that it makes fun of those times in our lives where we really botch things up.
Next Time Around: This book is heavily centered on hypnosis which I’m not really that happy about… It’s interesting to read, and it’s funny at times, but the hypnosis is a little creepy when the boy starts interviewing his “patients” (for lack of a better word) about their past lives. So I guess we also have the whole idea of reincarnation where people come back as animals and vice versa. I think I would have my son skip this story even though it’s not a ghost story.
Nails: This one is pretty good with a surprise ending… It’s a little upsetting that the dad dies partway through, but I think things get worked out pretty well all in all.
Yuggles: I really like this story. It definitely has something yucky for the boys!
Granddad’s Gifts: Loved this one! It isn’t EXACTLY about a ghost, but it’s a little borderline. I think I’d go ahead and recommend this story to my son. It just occurred to me as I was typing what the gifts were exactly that granddad bestowed…
Smelly Feat: Another great story about yucky things! I just hope my son doesn’t get any ideas from the main character in this story.
Licked: Excellent! I think kids have a secret pact to embarrass their parents at the most inopportune times possible.
Little Black balls: Not my favorite but pretty good.
Only Gilt: Ha ha!! I really liked this story. I love that it makes fun of those times in our lives where we really botch things up.
Next Time Around: This book is heavily centered on hypnosis which I’m not really that happy about… It’s interesting to read, and it’s funny at times, but the hypnosis is a little creepy when the boy starts interviewing his “patients” (for lack of a better word) about their past lives. So I guess we also have the whole idea of reincarnation where people come back as animals and vice versa. I think I would have my son skip this story even though it’s not a ghost story.
Nails: This one is pretty good with a surprise ending… It’s a little upsetting that the dad dies partway through, but I think things get worked out pretty well all in all.
Yuggles: I really like this story. It definitely has something yucky for the boys!
Granddad’s Gifts: Loved this one! It isn’t EXACTLY about a ghost, but it’s a little borderline. I think I’d go ahead and recommend this story to my son. It just occurred to me as I was typing what the gifts were exactly that granddad bestowed…
Smelly Feat: Another great story about yucky things! I just hope my son doesn’t get any ideas from the main character in this story.
April 24, 2012
Re-read this one yesterday as well! I didn't realise I actually owned it :D
* Licked - totally one of my favourites. SO AWESOMELY GROSS!!
* Little Black Balls
* Only Gilt
* Next Time Around - the hypnosis one. Fun and with an awesome ending :D
* Nails - not one of my favourites, always seems a little long.
* Yuggles - oh god, the Round the Twist episode of this one made me want to puke. The ending is also TOTALLY DISGUSTING. Maybe a bit too gross...
* Grandad's Gifts - I'd forgotten this was originally just one of the un-stories! Glad they published it on its own because it is SUCH a beautiful story. As usual, the ending made me cry.
* Smelly Feet - aha, the one with the turtles! I'd forgotten this one, and I really do love it. Although again, eww! Three months without taking off his shoes and socks!
* Licked - totally one of my favourites. SO AWESOMELY GROSS!!
* Little Black Balls
* Only Gilt
* Next Time Around - the hypnosis one. Fun and with an awesome ending :D
* Nails - not one of my favourites, always seems a little long.
* Yuggles - oh god, the Round the Twist episode of this one made me want to puke. The ending is also TOTALLY DISGUSTING. Maybe a bit too gross...
* Grandad's Gifts - I'd forgotten this was originally just one of the un-stories! Glad they published it on its own because it is SUCH a beautiful story. As usual, the ending made me cry.
* Smelly Feet - aha, the one with the turtles! I'd forgotten this one, and I really do love it. Although again, eww! Three months without taking off his shoes and socks!
September 14, 2011
This is a book with many enjoyable short storys.
1.a book that has a Moral
2.I decided to read it because I have read Paul's books in the past and I really enjoyed them.
3.I love the short story in this book because I can read on in just an hour and it keeps me entertained for the hour.
4.there is nothing about this book that I didn't like
5.I learn t that you don't need to put a birdcage on your head to make a point :D
6.I have never seen people put Bird cages on their head
7."wheres my bird!!!"
8.I would recommend this book to all of Paul's fans
1.a book that has a Moral
2.I decided to read it because I have read Paul's books in the past and I really enjoyed them.
3.I love the short story in this book because I can read on in just an hour and it keeps me entertained for the hour.
4.there is nothing about this book that I didn't like
5.I learn t that you don't need to put a birdcage on your head to make a point :D
6.I have never seen people put Bird cages on their head
7."wheres my bird!!!"
8.I would recommend this book to all of Paul's fans
September 15, 2011
1.a book written by an author you have already read "Paul Jennings"
2.I decided to read it because I have read Paul's books and have liked them
3.I like the short story because it doesn't take to long to read and is a very entertaining book
4.there is nothing about this book that I didn't like
5.I learn't that you don't need to put a birdcage on your head to make a point LOL
6.I have never seen people put Bird cages on their head
7."wheres my bird!!!"
8.I would recommend this book to kids aged between 7-11
2.I decided to read it because I have read Paul's books and have liked them
3.I like the short story because it doesn't take to long to read and is a very entertaining book
4.there is nothing about this book that I didn't like
5.I learn't that you don't need to put a birdcage on your head to make a point LOL
6.I have never seen people put Bird cages on their head
7."wheres my bird!!!"
8.I would recommend this book to kids aged between 7-11
July 27, 2016
Quirky tales for Paul Jennings. These books got me through a few of my awkward years I tell you. Even kids in these stories is the underdog or the want you want to cheer for. There is often twists and turns in every story and he also has a way with coming up with a killer ending. For 7 to 13 year olds.
June 8, 2012
These stories are excellent for older children. My youngest was entraced by the poop and dead chicken tales. I plan on finding his other books as soon as possible. Along with some TUMS to help my sensitive stomach deal with them..
June 3, 2015
Being a children's librarian I thought I had better see what the Paul Jennings books
are like. Being an adult I thought the stories were far fetched but quite clever, as a
child I would have loved them! Can definitely see why they appeal to some.
are like. Being an adult I thought the stories were far fetched but quite clever, as a
child I would have loved them! Can definitely see why they appeal to some.
August 1, 2016
Not the best of these types of books but I am sure a younger reader would still love it. The man has a great imagination.
* Please note: My rating is based on my thoughts on the book for my own purpose. Please do not take it as a rating on the quality of the book itself.
* Please note: My rating is based on my thoughts on the book for my own purpose. Please do not take it as a rating on the quality of the book itself.
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October 20, 2016It's unbearable ...The bird's perch is swinging to and fro and hitting me on the nose. I can see my eye in its little mirror. Unbearably weird ...You have the foulest feet ever. There are flies for lunch. A goat swallows your opal. And you have lived before.
October 5, 2007
i loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove paul jennings! i have read EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HIS BOOKS! speechless....
September 12, 2008
it is a good book to inspire people with australian outback. i love paul jennings he gave me the book worm. once he came to my school in australia to talk about his books.
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February 2, 2009JSF-Jen
July 18, 2009
Pretty good
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September 2, 2010kgjycfvvv,kb.l
May 23, 2011
this a book of small stories about serious things unbearable things and kinds of other stories. interesting book
March 29, 2012
Cool little stories each one better than the next... Year 7 or 8.
October 1, 2013
I don't know
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews