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Far-Flung Adventures #3
Hugo Pepper
Hugo Pepper, orphaned by polar bears, is raised in the Frozen North by the Runter-Tun-Tuns. At 12, he sets the sled Compass of the Heart to home, Firefly Square in Harbour Heights. Editor-blackmailer Elliot and snoopy Cressida are evicting the neighborhood. But Hugo's gran was pirate Brimstone Kate - her treasure awaits. Drawn in intricate amazing detail.
264 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
13 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
About the author
Paul Stewart
217 books919 followersPaul Stewart is a highly regarded author of books for young readers – from picture books to football stories, fantasy and horror. Together with Chris Riddell he is co-creator of the bestselling Edge Chronicles, which has sold more than three million copies and is available in over twenty languages. They have also collaborated together on lots of other exciting books for children of all ages. The Far-Flung Adventure series includes the Gold Smarties Prize Winner Fergus Crane, and Corby Flood and Hugo Pepper, both Silver Nestle Prize Winners. Then there are the Barnaby Grimes books, two Muddle Earth adventures, and the sci-fi Scavenger and fantasy Wyrmeweald trilogies. For younger readers there is the Blobheads series, while for the very young, Paul has written several picture books, including the Rabbit and Hedgehog series, In the Dark of the Night and, his latest, Wings.
Other authors by this name disambiguation Note:
Paul Stewart - business and management books
Other authors by this name disambiguation Note:
Paul Stewart - business and management books
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
September 28, 2018
I think this is my favorite Far-Flung book, such a great story and characters with wonderful illustrations...love the series.
February 27, 2009
This book was a little harder to follow since it has a bunch of little stories but it all comes together by the end. It was another fun read.
February 20, 2012
Delightful. I loved all the pictures and how the beginning switched between the story, stories from the Firefly Quarterly, and notes. It was very enjoyable to piece the story together.
July 26, 2010
Wow! What a ride...this is a very long book to read with children and to be honest, our youngest wasn't all that thrilled, although she did listen attentively for most of it. But I loved the book (and I think our oldest did too!) It has intrigue, intricately woven stories that connect and reconnect, a veritable soap opera. I think it was a little difficult to read aloud, merely for the fact that the book switches back and forth so much, from background stories to present day, from one character to another, with little warning. It wasn't hard to keep up, but I found it necessary to explain what was going on at times. Our girls loved that the characters were all connected, especially pausing on Hugo's family tree. I see that this is not the only book in this "world" and I would be interested to read another. Not sure if I'll want to read it aloud anytime soon, though. It might just be a guilty pleasure I keep to myself.
May 30, 2008
These are the CUTEST, FUNNIEST, EASY reads you will find in a long time. The story lines are lighthearted and simple, and all three "far flung adventures" are about kids in the same area who don't know each other, so you get little bits and pieces of the other stories in each one (which I think is kind of fun...maybe they will make a book connecting all of the characters in the end). And the illustrations (at least one on every page) are OUTSTANDING. Highly recommended for young readers, but adults will think they are hilarious too.
April 8, 2015
Paul Stewart is a brilliant writer, and the illustrations by Chris Riddell bring the imaginative worlds to life! In this Steampunk fantasy world, Hugo Pepper comes from the land of the Frozen North searching for answers. What he finds instead is mystery, adventure, and so much more! Great for middle school to YA readers, but fun for all ages, too!
September 26, 2012
I think this was my favorite of the three books in this series. It was interesting how there were many stories told that all led up to the main one. Though it did get a bit confusing keeping all the stories in your head, I can imagine it'd be quite hard to read for the younger age it is for.
January 1, 2018
Just spotted this book, and I know for sure I read it. Just no clue when. :P I so wish there was Goodreads when I was younger, I would love to see all the books I read in my life, but sadly I don't remember them.
June 24, 2021
This is a Great book of adventures.
September 11, 2025
A fun little romp.
October 23, 2016
I think this is a fun trilogy – Hugo Pepper is book 3. It's amazing how different each of these Far Flung Adventures are written, yet they remain interconnected. I think Hugo Pepper is my favorite of the series - it was very interesting and like the other two, extremely high quality in both story an illustrations.
Hugo Pepper is written in a unique style – short stories give parts of a lager story, but not in chronological order – I liked the stories within within a story format. I liked the idea that mermaids like to go for walks, just like people like to go for swims. Another creative idea was that snow men of the North have huge feet but very small bodies and are hardly every seen, thus creating the myth of large snow monsters.
This author team has also created The Edge Chronicles and the Barnaby Grimes series – I plan to both of these series sometime.
Select Passages from Hugo Pepper:
Once upon a time, there were two reindeer herders called Harvi and Sarvi Runter-Tun-Tun. Harvi was tall and bony, Sarvi was short and round. Both of them had beady eyes, snub noses and long hair, which they tied up and kept hidden beneath their three-pointed reindeer herder hats.
______
Once upon a time, there were two young mermaids called Daisy and Lilly Neptune. They swam in the seas around the pretty little fishing town of Harbour Heights, and lived in a damp cave hidden behind a curtain of seaweed fonds amongst the rocks of Mermaid Cove.
______
They were extremely competent walkers, with highly developed tail fins and an efficient stepping-action.
______
Once upon a time, there was a bold and beautiful pirate called Brimstone Kate. She sailed the seas from the Iceberg Straits of the Frozen North to the steamy waters of the Dandoon Delta, striking fear into all she came across. She soon became the wealthiest, most notorious pirate captain of them all, with a fortune in treasure which she kept under her bed in her cabin.
______
He had long since moved on from plain inventing, and was now dabbling in mechanical wizardry.
______
Once upon a time, there was a young shepherd called Lempik Dalle. He lived high up in the mountains of Randoo Kush, where the grass is sweet and the air is thin. There, he tended a flock of cloud sheep.
______
Once upon a time, there were two families who lived in a small valley in the Sunny South. They were called the Camomiles and the Mangerlaines, and they were always arguing. This was because they lived in a small valley and, although it was in the Sunny South, one side of the valley was usually sunnier than the other.
______
Once upon a time, there was a young housemaid called Cressida Claw. She worked at the fine houses in the big squares of the bustling city of Harbour Heights. Unfortunately, Cressida wasn't a very good housemaid.
______
Cressida Claw and her cats befriended Alfie, and together they talked about all the people they hated in Harbour Heights. They had a lot in common.
______
Once upon a time, there was a small tribe of snowmen living in the ice forests of the Frozen North.
______
Once upon a time, there was a lighthouse keeper whose lighthouse had no lamp.
Hugo Pepper is written in a unique style – short stories give parts of a lager story, but not in chronological order – I liked the stories within within a story format. I liked the idea that mermaids like to go for walks, just like people like to go for swims. Another creative idea was that snow men of the North have huge feet but very small bodies and are hardly every seen, thus creating the myth of large snow monsters.
This author team has also created The Edge Chronicles and the Barnaby Grimes series – I plan to both of these series sometime.
Select Passages from Hugo Pepper:
Once upon a time, there were two reindeer herders called Harvi and Sarvi Runter-Tun-Tun. Harvi was tall and bony, Sarvi was short and round. Both of them had beady eyes, snub noses and long hair, which they tied up and kept hidden beneath their three-pointed reindeer herder hats.
______
Once upon a time, there were two young mermaids called Daisy and Lilly Neptune. They swam in the seas around the pretty little fishing town of Harbour Heights, and lived in a damp cave hidden behind a curtain of seaweed fonds amongst the rocks of Mermaid Cove.
______
They were extremely competent walkers, with highly developed tail fins and an efficient stepping-action.
______
Once upon a time, there was a bold and beautiful pirate called Brimstone Kate. She sailed the seas from the Iceberg Straits of the Frozen North to the steamy waters of the Dandoon Delta, striking fear into all she came across. She soon became the wealthiest, most notorious pirate captain of them all, with a fortune in treasure which she kept under her bed in her cabin.
______
He had long since moved on from plain inventing, and was now dabbling in mechanical wizardry.
______
Once upon a time, there was a young shepherd called Lempik Dalle. He lived high up in the mountains of Randoo Kush, where the grass is sweet and the air is thin. There, he tended a flock of cloud sheep.
______
Once upon a time, there were two families who lived in a small valley in the Sunny South. They were called the Camomiles and the Mangerlaines, and they were always arguing. This was because they lived in a small valley and, although it was in the Sunny South, one side of the valley was usually sunnier than the other.
______
Once upon a time, there was a young housemaid called Cressida Claw. She worked at the fine houses in the big squares of the bustling city of Harbour Heights. Unfortunately, Cressida wasn't a very good housemaid.
______
Cressida Claw and her cats befriended Alfie, and together they talked about all the people they hated in Harbour Heights. They had a lot in common.
______
Once upon a time, there was a small tribe of snowmen living in the ice forests of the Frozen North.
______
Once upon a time, there was a lighthouse keeper whose lighthouse had no lamp.
June 17, 2020
He could happily have stayed with them forever in the forests of the Frozen North, and would have, had it not been for the mysterious 'Compass of the Heart'.
Hugo Pepper, an abandoned orphan after his explorer parents are killed by polar bears, has spent his life being brought up by reindeer farmers in the Frozen North. When he finds his parents sled, he decides it is time to leave the Frozen North to find out where he came from.
This is a wonderful book full of humour and mystery as Hugo Pepper returns to Firefly Square to meet friends and family of his lost parents and an evil and bitter nemesis who is ruining their livelihood, and to discover the truth of his past.
Paul Stewart and former Children's Laureate Chris Riddell once again combine to deliver a wonderful story and beautiful illustrations. The book is split into shorter tales which slowly weave together to deliver a fantastic ending, although there will be no spoilers here. Each character has a seperate tale and they include...
Once upon a time, there was a young shepherd Lempik Dalle. He lived high up in the mountains of the Randoo Kush, where the grass is sweet and the air is thin. There he tended a flock of cloud sheep.
Once upon a time, there was a bold and beautiful pirate called Brimstone Kate. She sailed the seas from Iceberg Straights of the Frozen North to the steamy waters of Dandoon Delta, striking fear into all she came across
Hugo Pepper, an abandoned orphan after his explorer parents are killed by polar bears, has spent his life being brought up by reindeer farmers in the Frozen North. When he finds his parents sled, he decides it is time to leave the Frozen North to find out where he came from.
This is a wonderful book full of humour and mystery as Hugo Pepper returns to Firefly Square to meet friends and family of his lost parents and an evil and bitter nemesis who is ruining their livelihood, and to discover the truth of his past.
Paul Stewart and former Children's Laureate Chris Riddell once again combine to deliver a wonderful story and beautiful illustrations. The book is split into shorter tales which slowly weave together to deliver a fantastic ending, although there will be no spoilers here. Each character has a seperate tale and they include...
Once upon a time, there was a young shepherd Lempik Dalle. He lived high up in the mountains of the Randoo Kush, where the grass is sweet and the air is thin. There he tended a flock of cloud sheep.
Once upon a time, there was a bold and beautiful pirate called Brimstone Kate. She sailed the seas from Iceberg Straights of the Frozen North to the steamy waters of Dandoon Delta, striking fear into all she came across
September 9, 2018
The brilliant team of writer Paul Stewart and illustrator Chris Riddell (of the Edge Chronicles) has created a wondeful trilogy of fantastical tales for a younger audience. The books are full of illustrations, large font, and fantastical stories that make you want to read the book in one sitting. Great for reluctant readers. My favorite title in the series is the last one -- Hugo Pepper (2006) about a boy, orphaned and raised in the Frozen North by reindeer herders, when his adventurous parents crash land in the Frozen North and are eaten by polor bears. It is not until years later that Hugo Pepper finds the magnificient mechanical sled hidden in the barn and sets the compass to "home" where he uncovers a plot that threatens his mermaid godmothers and other friends of his parents. The first title in the series is -- Fergus Crane (2004) who attends school on the ship Betty Jeanne which is not what it appears to be. A long-lost uncle makes contact with Fergus explaining what happened to the father he never met and exposing the school for a pirate ship wanting the children to help them acquire ill-gotten riches. The second book is -- Corby Flood (2005) a young girl traveling to a new home with her family on board the run-down cruise ship carrying a strange mixture of passengers and a crate that holds a mysterious creature that sings said songs. All of the books end in a way that leaves the reader to expect more stories in the series of FAR-FLUNG ADVENTURES.
July 29, 2015
Ok this was a absolut fun read. I read it today in two sittings. I have to travel a lot at the moment that means I have a lot of waiting time for my trains.. And this was the perfect read. It was funny, the artwork of Chris Riddel was amazing and the writting of Paul Stewart fantastic and unique as always. I had a few laughs and really loved these flying little sheeps. I haven`t read the second book of the series but it wasn`t a problem to understand whats happening because this book is a story about storys within a story..
It`s about a boy names Hugo Pepper who tries to find the truth about his parents.. And it`s not the usual adventure it`s full of fantastic creatures and strange characters, pirates and cat ladys ..and cheese!
It`s about a boy names Hugo Pepper who tries to find the truth about his parents.. And it`s not the usual adventure it`s full of fantastic creatures and strange characters, pirates and cat ladys ..and cheese!
July 7, 2025
I like to complete a ‘palette cleanse’ by reading something from my childhood after I finish a long, non-fiction and/or intense text. Hugo Pepper is always a great selection for this process, because of it’s quirky illustrations, nested narratives and well-established fantasy world (which I was originally introduced to through Ottoline as a little girl).
One of my favourite things about Hugo Pepper is how the author distinguishes between different kind of travellers. He highlights those that turn to foreign countries in search of monetary gain, and others that turn to it simply because they are bored with ‘having everything’. This serves as a relevant critique on how rich individuals often interact with less developed nations in the real world. In contrast, the book introduces the concept of ‘academic explorers’, people who travel not for profit or escape, but to deepen their understanding of the world and to help others do the same. This distinction makes Wilfred McPherson and his family immediately likeable, as their purpose is rooted in education and community-building. We see this at the end each mini-story, where he invites a new friend to come live on ‘Firefly Lane’.
My only criticism of this text is that there is no restorative resolution for the two antagonists, Elliot and Cressida. While I understand that the story’s message centres around letting go of resentment and other harmful behaviours like gossip and blackmail, I feel it misses an important opportunity to explore these antagonists in context. Both Elliot and Cressida come form working-class backgrounds, a maid and delivery boy respectfully, and this should elicit a degree of sympathy. Much of their bitterness and resentment comes from being teased or misunderstood because of their social standing (more-so Elliot than Cressida). I wish they went deeper in to this, and that the ending had offered a more compassionate perspective, particularly after showing their true feelings through the crying tea. While it is important for children to read and see people face real consequences for their actions, it is equally important to show that people can grow and change when given the right support. I think an epilogue reflecting this could have added a sense of hope and reflection.
A wholesome read and completed in half an hour! Consider my palette cleansed.
One of my favourite things about Hugo Pepper is how the author distinguishes between different kind of travellers. He highlights those that turn to foreign countries in search of monetary gain, and others that turn to it simply because they are bored with ‘having everything’. This serves as a relevant critique on how rich individuals often interact with less developed nations in the real world. In contrast, the book introduces the concept of ‘academic explorers’, people who travel not for profit or escape, but to deepen their understanding of the world and to help others do the same. This distinction makes Wilfred McPherson and his family immediately likeable, as their purpose is rooted in education and community-building. We see this at the end each mini-story, where he invites a new friend to come live on ‘Firefly Lane’.
My only criticism of this text is that there is no restorative resolution for the two antagonists, Elliot and Cressida. While I understand that the story’s message centres around letting go of resentment and other harmful behaviours like gossip and blackmail, I feel it misses an important opportunity to explore these antagonists in context. Both Elliot and Cressida come form working-class backgrounds, a maid and delivery boy respectfully, and this should elicit a degree of sympathy. Much of their bitterness and resentment comes from being teased or misunderstood because of their social standing (more-so Elliot than Cressida). I wish they went deeper in to this, and that the ending had offered a more compassionate perspective, particularly after showing their true feelings through the crying tea. While it is important for children to read and see people face real consequences for their actions, it is equally important to show that people can grow and change when given the right support. I think an epilogue reflecting this could have added a sense of hope and reflection.
A wholesome read and completed in half an hour! Consider my palette cleansed.
December 6, 2016
Hugo Pepper is an orphan whose parents were eaten by savage beasts. With a start in life like that, you know his will be no ordinary existence. Hugo is adopted by the people who find him, reindeer herders and cheesemakers who’ve longed for a child of their own. When he learns of his real parents, he sets off to find them.
All great journeys start off with discoveries and lead to more along the way. Hugo’s is no different. The story gets him mixed up with antiquated mermaids, illusive snow beasts, a silent lamplighter, tea sellers and tea drinkers, sneaky snoops who sell information in exchange for hush money and lost pirate booty. It’s delightful stuff to read and children will love it. Who couldn’t love a book with pirates in it?
The book is, as always, enhanced by the illustrations of Chris Riddell, Mr. Stewart’s frequent partner in crime. They convey the same sense of whimsy that you might find in a Terry Pratchett novel, what with exaggerated features and ridiculous hats that look as if they might be seen on elves.
This is a silly but adorable book, one to be read in front of a cozy fire, with your feet up, a cat in your lap (even a one-eared one), a cup of tea in your hand and a plate of Florentine cookies on the table.
All great journeys start off with discoveries and lead to more along the way. Hugo’s is no different. The story gets him mixed up with antiquated mermaids, illusive snow beasts, a silent lamplighter, tea sellers and tea drinkers, sneaky snoops who sell information in exchange for hush money and lost pirate booty. It’s delightful stuff to read and children will love it. Who couldn’t love a book with pirates in it?
The book is, as always, enhanced by the illustrations of Chris Riddell, Mr. Stewart’s frequent partner in crime. They convey the same sense of whimsy that you might find in a Terry Pratchett novel, what with exaggerated features and ridiculous hats that look as if they might be seen on elves.
This is a silly but adorable book, one to be read in front of a cozy fire, with your feet up, a cat in your lap (even a one-eared one), a cup of tea in your hand and a plate of Florentine cookies on the table.
November 3, 2023
lasteraamatu kohta päris keerukas lugemine ses mõttes, et lineaarsusega siin lugejat ei hellitata. lugu hüppab ajas edasi-tagasi täpselt nii, nagu mugav on, ja alles päris lõpus selgub lõplikult, kuidas kõik tegelased omavahel seotud on ja kes kuhu välja jõudnud. kuigi mingeid väga suuri üllatusi ka ei leidu, kõik tüürib vääramatult ikka sinna, et pahad saavad karistuse ja head leiavad oma õnne. mis on okei, sest see ongi sedasorti raamat.
aga jah, hea, et lõpuleheküljele on pandud nimikangelase Hugo sugupuu, seda tudeerisin päris mitu korda, et see puzzle peas kokku saada.
nunnud ja detailsed Chris Riddelli pildid (need mu pilku esimesena püüdsidki), lahe võte on raamatu lahtivolditava ümbrispaberi siseküljel olev kaart (kuigi see on raamatus sees ka olemas).
aga jah, hea, et lõpuleheküljele on pandud nimikangelase Hugo sugupuu, seda tudeerisin päris mitu korda, et see puzzle peas kokku saada.
nunnud ja detailsed Chris Riddelli pildid (need mu pilku esimesena püüdsidki), lahe võte on raamatu lahtivolditava ümbrispaberi siseküljel olev kaart (kuigi see on raamatus sees ka olemas).
April 5, 2021
The 3rd installment of the Far-Flung Adventures series continues the trends of the first two novels: building mystery, a fun-filled world with great illustrations, and interesting characters, and a story that heads no where for almost two-thirds of the book. Where the first entry in the series was always advancing the greater story, Hugo Pepper stalls even worse than Corby Flood did; after the initial mystery is established, the book wanders here and there before finally advancing into a climax that feels forced. Writing novels is hard, and I certainly would do much worse if forced to write my own--but I can't recommend this one or the previous one for that matter.
May 4, 2017
I picked this up because I was looking for a quick read and loved other work from these authors in the past. The verdict? It is a fun book and the illustrations are, as usual, lovely. I also admire the imagination of the creators.
But I am too old for this...
But I am too old for this...
February 25, 2023
This book is a really imaginative book for young children, even as someone who is a young 16 yr old girl. I really enjoyed all of the stories of the characters around Firefly Square. I just know my little sibling's would love this.
December 1, 2017
A cute fun adventure that will engage kids that like fantasy and a bit of silliness. Although this is a series, this book can be read as a stand-alone.
May 9, 2018
I would descrive this book as funny, suspenseful and it has varied stories that all weave together by the end. My favourite character was Lilly Neptune because she was very funny I loved the book.
April 11, 2020
Good and as well written as Chris Riddell' s usually books but not as much of a favourite as his others for me personally.
May 3, 2020
Lovely children story full of quirky characters. Beautifully illustrated by Chris Riddell - who also recorded himself reading the book and posted it on his youtube account : Morning Mouse.
March 29, 2021
Great kids read
August 5, 2021
Adorable! C'etait un plaisir de lire en Francais de temps en temps.
September 5, 2022
I like Chris Riddell, wanted to be charmed by this, but found the narrative hard to track - too many characters introduced sequentially without a strong enough plot thru-line. I was hoping to read this with my nephew and niece, but not sure it will keep them engaged.
May 3, 2012
"Hugo Pepper" (Far Flung Adventures 3) by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell entangles words with finely penned leaf, flower, feather, fold, folderol in delightful fanciful flourishes of fantasy. Vignettes of eccentric personalities mesh, starting, as so many Stewart-Pepper chronicles do, with orphan baby Hugo Pepper found by Frozen North reindeer herders and cheese makers snub-nosed childless tall bony Harvi Runter-Tun-Tun and short round wife Sarvi. At 12, cute in oversized outfits, he follows his blood parents' sleigh Compass of the Heart home to Firefly Square in Harbour Heights. Tabloid editor blackmailer extortioner recluse Elliot de Mille (really nasty butcher's boy Alfie Spangle) with snoopy informant slovenly Cressida Claw are evicting the neighborhood. But Hugo is the grandson of vanished pirate Brimstone Kate whose hidden treasure awaits the bright brave and daring.
Cameo portraits show oldsters, wrinkled skin stretched thin across sharp cheek and chin, whiskers, wisps, contrast one plump with mate or neighbor stick-thin, and their younger aspects. Both subject and action, such as mermaid on bicycle and rounded furry fanciful animals suggest Dr Seuss, but the detail is more grownup, intense, and lacking color. Visions mirror text; anchor on a teacup in the text matches one in the hand. Black silhouettes sprout curls, beards, bristles, bustles, fingers, fins, from characters spritely, spare, portly, variety of highest imagination. A few chin and cheek whiskers et voila Cressida resembles her alley cats.
I wish for a table of chapter titles like sections, "Cloud Sheep" whose yarn spins into flying carpets, and cast list to sort out complicated relationships: his mother Molly's godmothers elegant slim Neptune mermaids, tumbling bronze coils of hair around-ears Lily and up-top Daisy, Sunny South tea blender Diego Camomile and leaf-reader wife Freda, Molly's best friend Exotic East rug restorer Meena Dalle with moth-dog Tik-Tik, and snow chariot inventor engineer Edward Evesham, even one-eared pirate cat Treacle.
Every small character, the snow-couple Ranulf and Finoula, with their two hundred sons, are stories in themselves, like the start of Arabian Nights. I could see Tik-Tik chasing off Cressida's yellow alley cats, or a Treacle descendant taking down the carrier pigeons. They are so full of enticing hints, so short. I look forward to more of the series, Fergus Crane, and delighted to learn Corby Flood is a girl, with a family, for a change. Despite the occasional orphan comes home formula, the variety of imagination make most Stewart-Riddell works 5*; I only choose the first of a series for my favorite shelf for simplicity, but most belong up top.
Spoilers:
Despite death and danger, polar bear eaten parents, the creators know how to satisfactorily resolve a plot, with grandfather and story collector Wilfred McPherson regaining his health, work, and family. Too bad the lamplighter was not the lighthouse-keeper thus Hugo's great grandfather. Age 70s is believable, and these tangled tales always have overflowing coincidences.
Why does Hugo only get half the treasure? Does he really spend the whole amount on commemorative statues? Extravagance does reinforce his solid dependable future. Refreshing happy ever afters that do not depend on marriage.
Cameo portraits show oldsters, wrinkled skin stretched thin across sharp cheek and chin, whiskers, wisps, contrast one plump with mate or neighbor stick-thin, and their younger aspects. Both subject and action, such as mermaid on bicycle and rounded furry fanciful animals suggest Dr Seuss, but the detail is more grownup, intense, and lacking color. Visions mirror text; anchor on a teacup in the text matches one in the hand. Black silhouettes sprout curls, beards, bristles, bustles, fingers, fins, from characters spritely, spare, portly, variety of highest imagination. A few chin and cheek whiskers et voila Cressida resembles her alley cats.
I wish for a table of chapter titles like sections, "Cloud Sheep" whose yarn spins into flying carpets, and cast list to sort out complicated relationships: his mother Molly's godmothers elegant slim Neptune mermaids, tumbling bronze coils of hair around-ears Lily and up-top Daisy, Sunny South tea blender Diego Camomile and leaf-reader wife Freda, Molly's best friend Exotic East rug restorer Meena Dalle with moth-dog Tik-Tik, and snow chariot inventor engineer Edward Evesham, even one-eared pirate cat Treacle.
Every small character, the snow-couple Ranulf and Finoula, with their two hundred sons, are stories in themselves, like the start of Arabian Nights. I could see Tik-Tik chasing off Cressida's yellow alley cats, or a Treacle descendant taking down the carrier pigeons. They are so full of enticing hints, so short. I look forward to more of the series, Fergus Crane, and delighted to learn Corby Flood is a girl, with a family, for a change. Despite the occasional orphan comes home formula, the variety of imagination make most Stewart-Riddell works 5*; I only choose the first of a series for my favorite shelf for simplicity, but most belong up top.
Spoilers:
Despite death and danger, polar bear eaten parents, the creators know how to satisfactorily resolve a plot, with grandfather and story collector Wilfred McPherson regaining his health, work, and family. Too bad the lamplighter was not the lighthouse-keeper thus Hugo's great grandfather. Age 70s is believable, and these tangled tales always have overflowing coincidences.
Why does Hugo only get half the treasure? Does he really spend the whole amount on commemorative statues? Extravagance does reinforce his solid dependable future. Refreshing happy ever afters that do not depend on marriage.
September 20, 2016
The main character Hugo pepper was raised by harvi and sarvi runner-tun-tun. Although they are not his real parents they take care of him as if they were. His real parent were supposedly killed by polar bears while they were on a journey. As he gets older he wants to know where he used to live and where he came from. He uses the compass of the heart to find his home. As he is flying he runs out of food and crashes. He lands in harborur heights where he meets daisy and Lilly Neptune. After a while all the people of harbour heights get evicted...I recommend this book to people who like adventures, mystery and fantasy. Don't miss out on this book because it is a true master piece.
December 9, 2012
The last in the little Far Flung Adventures series, three for three with the Smarties prize awards. So they were obviously well received and I can see why.
Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell are a magnificent and prolific team, this book was my 23rd book by the pair, and there are still more to go. This series is not the best of their work in my opinion, though it is still very good, inventive and with a good pace. But it is deliberately written for younger readers, so perhaps lacks some of the depth and intelligence found in most of their work.
Hugo Pepper works like a standard orphaned child goes off in search of lost family, solves mystery, saves the day affair. A formula that works, with a child protagonist, for a young audience, indeed it was the primary formula for the first set, the Twig Trilogy, of The Edge Chronicles, their leading works. He has been brought up by Reindeer herders in the Frozen North, though his true family originate from Harbour Heights, the major town all of the Far Flung Adventures are based within. There are strange contraptions, odd creatures, small tie-ins with the other books, a slightly malicious cat-lady and a sinister rogue who has taken over the presses and is spreading rumours, upsetting the residents of his local area. The story fizzes along quite quickly, even with extensive exposition, most chapters are split in two, with a back story to introduce a character or provide fore knowledge, and then on to the modern day situation quickly.
A nice ending to the series, perfectly pleasant for adults and undoubtedly good for little ones for a bedtime story, but don't expect the depth of some of their more adult work. They should have continued this series, there is still mileage in it.
Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell are a magnificent and prolific team, this book was my 23rd book by the pair, and there are still more to go. This series is not the best of their work in my opinion, though it is still very good, inventive and with a good pace. But it is deliberately written for younger readers, so perhaps lacks some of the depth and intelligence found in most of their work.
Hugo Pepper works like a standard orphaned child goes off in search of lost family, solves mystery, saves the day affair. A formula that works, with a child protagonist, for a young audience, indeed it was the primary formula for the first set, the Twig Trilogy, of The Edge Chronicles, their leading works. He has been brought up by Reindeer herders in the Frozen North, though his true family originate from Harbour Heights, the major town all of the Far Flung Adventures are based within. There are strange contraptions, odd creatures, small tie-ins with the other books, a slightly malicious cat-lady and a sinister rogue who has taken over the presses and is spreading rumours, upsetting the residents of his local area. The story fizzes along quite quickly, even with extensive exposition, most chapters are split in two, with a back story to introduce a character or provide fore knowledge, and then on to the modern day situation quickly.
A nice ending to the series, perfectly pleasant for adults and undoubtedly good for little ones for a bedtime story, but don't expect the depth of some of their more adult work. They should have continued this series, there is still mileage in it.
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