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The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth
My name is Benjamin Tooth. This is my journal.
One day I will be remembered as the greatest scientist that the world has ever known and so it is my duty to mankind to record my thoughts that future generations are able to study the progress of a genius.
I am eleven years old.
These are the recently discovered journals of Benjamin Tooth: alchemist, inventor and discoverer of the Windvale sprites. They chronicle his journey of scientific discovery from pompous boy to mad old man in his pursuit of the sprites on Windvale Moor. The sprites hold the key to eternal life, and Tooth is determined to capture it.
A companion volume to The Windvale Sprites, The Lost Journals will be published with an exciting treasure hunt campaign to find Benjamin Tooth's lost statue. With clues ingeniously placed throughout the book, readers will love to follow the adventure beyond the written page.Monday 18th April 1768
One day I will be remembered as the greatest scientist that the world has ever known and so it is my duty to mankind to record my thoughts that future generations are able to study the progress of a genius.
I am eleven years old.
These are the recently discovered journals of Benjamin Tooth: alchemist, inventor and discoverer of the Windvale sprites. They chronicle his journey of scientific discovery from pompous boy to mad old man in his pursuit of the sprites on Windvale Moor. The sprites hold the key to eternal life, and Tooth is determined to capture it.
A companion volume to The Windvale Sprites, The Lost Journals will be published with an exciting treasure hunt campaign to find Benjamin Tooth's lost statue. With clues ingeniously placed throughout the book, readers will love to follow the adventure beyond the written page.Monday 18th April 1768
288 pages, Hardcover
First published November 5, 2013
3 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 23, 2022
I highly recommend reading this book immediately after reading Mackenzie Crook's ' The Windvale Sprites'. The way that the two books fit together and inform one another is wonderful and I feel that many tiny details would be missed by reading them separately. That said, this book definitely stands alone. Often laugh out loud funny (his mother's ailments, & his strange dinner menu!), this is an often touching and rollicking adventure. It's a fabulous character study too. Definitely worth making time to read.
August 18, 2017
Disappointed in this, as I really like Mackenzie Crook both as an actor and a writer ('Detectorists'). In a sort of C18th set Adrian Mole, Benjamin Tooth is an unrecognized child genius scientist who discovers a family secret that could lead to a formula for eternal youth, but all his enterprises go wrong and the book ends with the loss of all his evidence. I found it mildly amusing but only laughed out loud once. Perhaps if I had been 11, the age of Benjamin and the presumed target readership, I would have found it funnier and more engaging.
November 21, 2018
I guess to realising this was a companion book to another one and not having read the other book may have been detrimental to enjoying this book, but I'm not sure but for me the journals could have stayed lost and I would not have been dismayed, I just didn't get into it.
November 3, 2018
Interesting but not that great. I mostly loved the 3rd part of the story.
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March 7, 2020You know, I think it was perfect to have Benjamin be rotten in the end.
Scientists and researchers of his time were just as cruel and obsessed with findings.
Scientists and researchers of his time were just as cruel and obsessed with findings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2023
It was good but not as good as other books I've read
October 14, 2013
The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth is a great book written by actor Mackenzie Crook, best known to me for his role in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. As always with books written by celebrities, I was dubious to read it, but in a big fan of the faerie family so decided to give it a whirl. I laughed out loud numerous times and found myself thoroughly engrossed in Benjamin Tooth's story, eager to see what happened next and how the Windvale Sprites came to be known.
Benjamin's diary takes place between 1768 and 1780 and chronicles his desire to be a well known scientist. Along the way he meets a selection of bizarre people, including taxidermist Mr Gadigun and mysterious Farley Cupstart who, it soon becomes apparent, knows more about the inhabitants of Windvale than he's letting on. What follows is a long scientific investigation into the creatures that become known as the Windvale Sprites, which ultimately less to a slightly better understanding of them. I think there's a lot more to learn about them, and I'm hoping the first book in the series, The Windvale Sprites, supplies more information.
I hadn't read the first book before reading this prequel, but I think I benefitted from going into this one knowing nothing. I was impressed with Crook's writing and illustrations (LOVE the depiction of the sprites!) and the fast pace applied to keep the story moving and interesting. The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth has a lot going for it: it's funny with a dry wit, exciting and has a magical quality to it. The characters are all immediately likeable, though I did think Benjamin made some questionable decisions later in the book! I'll say no more, though, in the hopes that people will read it for themselves. I'm now off to start The Windvale Sprites!
Benjamin's diary takes place between 1768 and 1780 and chronicles his desire to be a well known scientist. Along the way he meets a selection of bizarre people, including taxidermist Mr Gadigun and mysterious Farley Cupstart who, it soon becomes apparent, knows more about the inhabitants of Windvale than he's letting on. What follows is a long scientific investigation into the creatures that become known as the Windvale Sprites, which ultimately less to a slightly better understanding of them. I think there's a lot more to learn about them, and I'm hoping the first book in the series, The Windvale Sprites, supplies more information.
I hadn't read the first book before reading this prequel, but I think I benefitted from going into this one knowing nothing. I was impressed with Crook's writing and illustrations (LOVE the depiction of the sprites!) and the fast pace applied to keep the story moving and interesting. The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth has a lot going for it: it's funny with a dry wit, exciting and has a magical quality to it. The characters are all immediately likeable, though I did think Benjamin made some questionable decisions later in the book! I'll say no more, though, in the hopes that people will read it for themselves. I'm now off to start The Windvale Sprites!
November 8, 2013
While I have never read anything by Mackenzie before, I do know who he is so when I got the chance to review The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth I knew I had to see what it was about. The cover for this book is amazing in real life, and I love the detail of the little pictures taken from parts of the book.
Admittedly The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth is suitable for a much younger age than I am, but I did enjoy reading. It was a quick, light read that had me laughing frequently. The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth is told in a diary format where Benjamin writes down his thoughts, his activities for that day, and also what revolting food he has eaten. He is brutality honest and holds nothing back.
I'm not going to give too much away about The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth, especially as there is a competition to win a silver sprite statue and some other goodies at the book's website here. I went into reading The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth without having read the companion novel, The Windvale Sprites, but I didn't feel like I had missed out on anything at all. The book has illustrations within the pages and I love the attention to detail that has gone into them, and also Benjamin's attempt at drawing too.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth and I would definitely read more by Mackenzie again. I'm going to pass this book onto my nephew for him to enjoy reading it.
Admittedly The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth is suitable for a much younger age than I am, but I did enjoy reading. It was a quick, light read that had me laughing frequently. The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth is told in a diary format where Benjamin writes down his thoughts, his activities for that day, and also what revolting food he has eaten. He is brutality honest and holds nothing back.
I'm not going to give too much away about The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth, especially as there is a competition to win a silver sprite statue and some other goodies at the book's website here. I went into reading The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth without having read the companion novel, The Windvale Sprites, but I didn't feel like I had missed out on anything at all. The book has illustrations within the pages and I love the attention to detail that has gone into them, and also Benjamin's attempt at drawing too.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed The Lost Journals of Benjamin Tooth and I would definitely read more by Mackenzie again. I'm going to pass this book onto my nephew for him to enjoy reading it.
August 9, 2016
Received a free copy for review:
I read this during one afternoon as it was an easy read. I thought the book's premise was interesting, well executed mise en scene and good characters. I found Mr Tooth's description of his meals and his Horrible Mother's ailments quite hilarious. The mystery surrounding Mr Tooth's early life, as well as his promise to become a genius were a great beginning and the lyrical old fashioned writing really supported it.
By this point, I could see this story having great potential and I was looking forward to the second part involving Mr Tooth's post-sixteenth birthday life. This is the moment the story sort of lost momentum, like a flan slowly collapsing. The author seems to have run out of steam and towards the last few pages I was incredulous as to how he would manage to turn a very tedious storyline to something at least begging a sequel. I was wrong and the ending was, to be honest, very boring and anticlimactic.
Perhaps, a small child (the target audience) will not feel as cheated as I had after such an interesting beginning but somehow I doubt it. Children are much better at discerning a good ending from a bad one. I would suggest Mr Crook, who clearly has an enormously interesting imagination, scrap the adult half of Mr Tooth's story and write one more consistent with its earlier promise.
I mean, you'd think the author of a journal would leaf it once in a while and read about the things he cannot remember, like the name he gave the bird he nourished to health in the first 50 pages. Poor memory is not the trait of a great genius.
I read this during one afternoon as it was an easy read. I thought the book's premise was interesting, well executed mise en scene and good characters. I found Mr Tooth's description of his meals and his Horrible Mother's ailments quite hilarious. The mystery surrounding Mr Tooth's early life, as well as his promise to become a genius were a great beginning and the lyrical old fashioned writing really supported it.
By this point, I could see this story having great potential and I was looking forward to the second part involving Mr Tooth's post-sixteenth birthday life. This is the moment the story sort of lost momentum, like a flan slowly collapsing. The author seems to have run out of steam and towards the last few pages I was incredulous as to how he would manage to turn a very tedious storyline to something at least begging a sequel. I was wrong and the ending was, to be honest, very boring and anticlimactic.
Perhaps, a small child (the target audience) will not feel as cheated as I had after such an interesting beginning but somehow I doubt it. Children are much better at discerning a good ending from a bad one. I would suggest Mr Crook, who clearly has an enormously interesting imagination, scrap the adult half of Mr Tooth's story and write one more consistent with its earlier promise.
I mean, you'd think the author of a journal would leaf it once in a while and read about the things he cannot remember, like the name he gave the bird he nourished to health in the first 50 pages. Poor memory is not the trait of a great genius.
March 27, 2015
Unfortunately, this book simply did not have the same magic touch that The Windvale Sprites had. It is due to this that it took me a while to get into this book. I was, admittedly, a little disappointed in this book and I fear that ruined some of the enjoyment I could have gotten from it. This book is the prequel to Windvale Sprites and tells the tale of how Benjamin Tooth found the fairies and their powers to stay alive for many, many years. It could very well have been just as light-hearted and lovely as the first book but instead I found it just a little too slow for my tastes.
The book starts with Benjamin at eleven and describes his life until he discovers the fairies. But it was only in Part Three that I really started to enjoy this book, and then it was over before I really had a chance to appreciate it. I believe that younger children would definitely enjoy every aspect of this book, as there was humour laced in all of the chapters as before but I just personally struggled with it. I did still like the book, it just wasn’t exactly what I had been expecting. Definitely happy to recommend this entire series though, especially if you want some light-hearted, entertaining, and humorous books to help you escape the mundanities of everyday life. Or, you know, if you’re a child.
The book starts with Benjamin at eleven and describes his life until he discovers the fairies. But it was only in Part Three that I really started to enjoy this book, and then it was over before I really had a chance to appreciate it. I believe that younger children would definitely enjoy every aspect of this book, as there was humour laced in all of the chapters as before but I just personally struggled with it. I did still like the book, it just wasn’t exactly what I had been expecting. Definitely happy to recommend this entire series though, especially if you want some light-hearted, entertaining, and humorous books to help you escape the mundanities of everyday life. Or, you know, if you’re a child.
November 28, 2013
Review by Shelly
This is the diary of Benjamin Tooth aged 11 who feels that he is a misunderstood genius born before his time. Set in the late 1700’s we follow him on his journey to uncover the mystical sprites found on Windvale Moor and uncover his Great Grandfathers secret.
The way this is written as a journal was really interesting especially as we grow up with Benjamin. The writing at the start did take me awhile to get used to as it is a hybrid of childish writing with old fashioned language but once you get the flow of it, it actually becomes more lyrical. The illustrations are also fantastic and make it feel like a real journal.
I actually couldn’t put this book down and read it in one sitting as I was lost in the magic that Mackenzie Crook weaves throughout. I loved the end of each journal entry with what Benjamin had for dinner each evening as I am sure this is what I used to write at the end of mine when I was younger.
All in all a good read and one I would recommend and I look forward to more books by Mr Crook.
This is the diary of Benjamin Tooth aged 11 who feels that he is a misunderstood genius born before his time. Set in the late 1700’s we follow him on his journey to uncover the mystical sprites found on Windvale Moor and uncover his Great Grandfathers secret.
The way this is written as a journal was really interesting especially as we grow up with Benjamin. The writing at the start did take me awhile to get used to as it is a hybrid of childish writing with old fashioned language but once you get the flow of it, it actually becomes more lyrical. The illustrations are also fantastic and make it feel like a real journal.
I actually couldn’t put this book down and read it in one sitting as I was lost in the magic that Mackenzie Crook weaves throughout. I loved the end of each journal entry with what Benjamin had for dinner each evening as I am sure this is what I used to write at the end of mine when I was younger.
All in all a good read and one I would recommend and I look forward to more books by Mr Crook.
February 10, 2014
This was a book my daughter chose when trying to resolve the buy one get half price offer in Waterstones! It seemed an intriguing read based on the cover...
So I have been reading from the journal every night at bedtime. It starts off ordinarily enough if based in the 18th century so some of the language etc is obviously old fashioned. Benjamin seems like an ordinary boy of his time with a fascination for nature and a desire to become a famous naturalist.
Things however never do go to plan in a story and he meets the mysterious Farley Cupstart on Windvale Moor and his life completely changes... Benjamin grows to manhood without fulfilling all his dreams but maybe the mysterious creatures he saw on the moor can make his fortune?
My daughter and I agree that he starts off a likeable person but we grew to dislike him as the book went on. Maybe it's our modern revulsion at old fashioned ways of studying nature - ie kill it then study it!
Not sure I want to read more of the series but wonder if my daughter will?
So I have been reading from the journal every night at bedtime. It starts off ordinarily enough if based in the 18th century so some of the language etc is obviously old fashioned. Benjamin seems like an ordinary boy of his time with a fascination for nature and a desire to become a famous naturalist.
Things however never do go to plan in a story and he meets the mysterious Farley Cupstart on Windvale Moor and his life completely changes... Benjamin grows to manhood without fulfilling all his dreams but maybe the mysterious creatures he saw on the moor can make his fortune?
My daughter and I agree that he starts off a likeable person but we grew to dislike him as the book went on. Maybe it's our modern revulsion at old fashioned ways of studying nature - ie kill it then study it!
Not sure I want to read more of the series but wonder if my daughter will?
November 20, 2014
The first 2/3rds of this book were quirky enough to be enjoyable despite my lack of interest in the plot. However, this story just falls to pieces in the 3rd act, when the previously established characterization and light-hearted fun take a dark turn before abruptly ending in the final 2 pages of the book (with little wrapping-up or satisfactory conclusion). I feel like Mr. Crook's editors failed him when they let him end the book this way.
On a positive note, the illustrations are really, really well done. I would almost say that Mr. Crook is a top-shelf illustrator (and actor).
On a positive note, the illustrations are really, really well done. I would almost say that Mr. Crook is a top-shelf illustrator (and actor).
June 16, 2015
This story started out strong with a flavor of Oliver Twist. The last part ruins it. Once he received his inheritance the book turns macabre.
I'm not sure who the audience should be. It's written above the level of most children and pre-teens and includes a swear word or two. Kids that have a higher reading level will be bored out of their minds.
The book ends abruptly and doesn't reach a conclusion. I don't recommend this book to anyone.
I'm not sure who the audience should be. It's written above the level of most children and pre-teens and includes a swear word or two. Kids that have a higher reading level will be bored out of their minds.
The book ends abruptly and doesn't reach a conclusion. I don't recommend this book to anyone.
October 30, 2015
Benjamin Tooth - genius or complete dunderhead? If you want to know the answer, you should read this "lost" journal. It is an entertaining little book, good for a few laughs (especially in the first part) but it gets a bit dark towards the end. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it, even though the ending felt a bit abrupt.
October 16, 2015
I very much enjoyed this book! Obviously, I'm in tune with MacKenzie Crook's humor. (Loved the tv show, The Dectectorists, as well.) Looking forward to reading The Windvale Sprites, and thinking through the clues in this book for the silver statuette.
November 17, 2013
A nice insight into the creatures talked about in the Windvale Sprites - I didn't enjoy it as much though. Review to come...
November 20, 2013
Book review will be published first on http://www.mrripleysenchantedbooks.com/
February 17, 2016
Very inventive but modern children might find the 18th-century attitudes to the study of natural history upsetting.
February 27, 2023
Read to my son at bedtime. A good story but ended very weirdly. Why did it get so odd with the sprites?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews