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Jacob Two-Two #3
Jacob Two-Two's First Spy Case
Things turn sour at Privilege House, Jacob Two-Two’s private school, when the headmaster, Mr. Goodbody, is replaced by the despicable I.M. Greedyguts. Now everything is unbearable, from geography class to the ghastly lunches made by Perfectly Loathsome Leo Louse. Worse yet, nobody’s parents believe how bad it really is. Fortunately, Jacob has a new friend he can turn to for help: X. Barnaby Dinglebat, Master Spy.
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 1995
About the author
Mordecai Richler
92 books394 followersWorking-class Jewish background based novels, which include
The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz
(1959) and
Saint Urbain's Horseman
(1971), of Canadian writer Mordecai Richler.
People best know Barney's Version (1997) among works of this author, screenwriter, and essayist; people shortlisted his novel Solomon Gursky Was Here (1989) for the Man Booker Prize in 1990. He was also well known for the Jacob Two-two stories of children.
A scrap yard dealer reared this son on street in the mile end area of Montréal. He learned Yiddish and English and graduated from Baron Byng High School. Richler enrolled in Sir George Williams College (now Concordia University) to study English but dropped before completing his degree.
Years later, Leah Rosenberg, mother of Richler, published an autobiography, The Errand Runner: Memoirs of a Rabbi's Daughter (1981), which discusses birth and upbringing of Mordecai and the sometime difficult relationship.
Richler, intent on following in the footsteps of many of a previous "lost generation" of literary exiles of the 1920s from the United States, moved to Paris at age of 19 years in 1950.
Richler returned to Montréal in 1952, worked briefly at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and then moved to London in 1954. He, living in London meanwhile, published seven of his ten novels as well as considerable journalism.
Worrying "about being so long away from the roots of my discontent", Richler returned to Montréal in 1972. He wrote repeatedly about the Jewish community of Montréal and especially portraying his former neighborhood in multiple novels.
In England in 1954, Richler married Catherine Boudreau, a French-Canadian divorcée nine years his senior. On the eve of their wedding, he met Florence Wood Mann, a young married woman, who smited him.
Some years later, Richler and Mann divorced and married each other. He adopted Daniel Mann, her son. The couple had five children together: Daniel, Jacob, Noah, Martha and Emma. These events inspired his novel Barney's Version.
Richler died of cancer.
People best know Barney's Version (1997) among works of this author, screenwriter, and essayist; people shortlisted his novel Solomon Gursky Was Here (1989) for the Man Booker Prize in 1990. He was also well known for the Jacob Two-two stories of children.
A scrap yard dealer reared this son on street in the mile end area of Montréal. He learned Yiddish and English and graduated from Baron Byng High School. Richler enrolled in Sir George Williams College (now Concordia University) to study English but dropped before completing his degree.
Years later, Leah Rosenberg, mother of Richler, published an autobiography, The Errand Runner: Memoirs of a Rabbi's Daughter (1981), which discusses birth and upbringing of Mordecai and the sometime difficult relationship.
Richler, intent on following in the footsteps of many of a previous "lost generation" of literary exiles of the 1920s from the United States, moved to Paris at age of 19 years in 1950.
Richler returned to Montréal in 1952, worked briefly at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and then moved to London in 1954. He, living in London meanwhile, published seven of his ten novels as well as considerable journalism.
Worrying "about being so long away from the roots of my discontent", Richler returned to Montréal in 1972. He wrote repeatedly about the Jewish community of Montréal and especially portraying his former neighborhood in multiple novels.
In England in 1954, Richler married Catherine Boudreau, a French-Canadian divorcée nine years his senior. On the eve of their wedding, he met Florence Wood Mann, a young married woman, who smited him.
Some years later, Richler and Mann divorced and married each other. He adopted Daniel Mann, her son. The couple had five children together: Daniel, Jacob, Noah, Martha and Emma. These events inspired his novel Barney's Version.
Richler died of cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 6, 2010
This was a really fun, short, silly story, and the first in a series about Jacob Two-Two, a boy who is 2 x 2 x 2 years old, has 2 sisters, 2 brothers, and has to say everything twice so they pay attention to him. Jacob's school is being destroyed by the evil new headmaster I.M. Greedyguts, and Loathsome Leo who makes dreadful food at lunch each day. At times the book feels a bit like a Roald Dahl story with lots of silly dreadful moments. Yet, Jacob's family is kind and he gets lots of help from a crazy next-door neighbor who says he is a master spy, but seems really just crazy. I also like that the book takes place in Montreal, which is one of my favorite cities. I think lots of kids in grades 2 or 3 and up will find this story just silly enough to be worth reading.
April 28, 2014
Not as great as the original Jacob Two-Two, in fact rather a usual case of child-combats-evil-principal/headmaster-with-help-of-bizarre-adult-sidekick, but not bad as an example of its genre.
Some parents will be freaked out by the Spy's having Jacob keep his interactions with said Spy more or less secret; but on the other hand, Jacob's parents are refreshingly willing to defend him (if not always believe his stories) and even his sibs, when roused from the rut of elderness, are protective.
Some parents will be freaked out by the Spy's having Jacob keep his interactions with said Spy more or less secret; but on the other hand, Jacob's parents are refreshingly willing to defend him (if not always believe his stories) and even his sibs, when roused from the rut of elderness, are protective.
October 22, 2014
I read this as a bedtime story to my 6 yr old son. He liked it. I like Richler's extensive vocabulary, many times we stopped to discuss the meanings of words. It is a satire, but not a mean one. Richler's ongoing fascination with the workings of the law can be a bit much for younger readers, rather dry and not sure how much meaning comes through. The characters are unforgettable, lots of fun to be had there. The clairvoyant's gamble is great fun. I absolutely hated the mirror writing, when I was trying to get through a bedtime chapter at the end of a long day the last thing. I wanted to do was read backwards mirror writing. It might have been more fun for a young reader on his own. Not as much fun as The Hooded Fang, but a good time nonetheless.
October 9, 2019
This was a fun read in the same sort of vein as The Phantom Tollbooth. Jacob Two-Two breaks into espionage when his neighbour turns out to be a Master Spy.
Lots of fun word-play. (The villains are Mr. I.M. Greedyguts and the Perfectly Loathsome Leo Louse.) And lots of little Canadian jokes 🙂 [4 stars]
Lots of fun word-play. (The villains are Mr. I.M. Greedyguts and the Perfectly Loathsome Leo Louse.) And lots of little Canadian jokes 🙂 [4 stars]
May 16, 2017
Review TC
April 21, 2019
canadian! jewish! retro! lit! lit!
November 19, 2024
Richler's Jacob Two-Two books are a great deal of fun, particularly for children, and quite a change from his award-winning books for adults. This is the third of four adventures he has; the children in the book are remarkably similar in names and age differences as the siblings in this one, and the father in this one is also an author. However, the book is entirely fictional which can be easily ascertained by reading it.
Jacob is called this because as the youngest of five children, he has to say everything twice in order to be heard.
Things are not going well at Privilege House, Jacob's school, and the character names will give you a bit of insight. Headmaster Mr. Goodbody is replaced by I.M. Greedyguts who hires Perfectly Loathsome Leo Louse as the new school cook. His parents can't believe how bad it is, but thankfully his new neighbour, X. Barnaby Dinglebat, Master Spy does.
Jacob is called this because as the youngest of five children, he has to say everything twice in order to be heard.
Things are not going well at Privilege House, Jacob's school, and the character names will give you a bit of insight. Headmaster Mr. Goodbody is replaced by I.M. Greedyguts who hires Perfectly Loathsome Leo Louse as the new school cook. His parents can't believe how bad it is, but thankfully his new neighbour, X. Barnaby Dinglebat, Master Spy does.
June 7, 2024
What a fun book. What a fun book.
I loved seeing Jacob's family being a lot nicer in this book than the previous ones.
The word play in it was amazing.
I loved seeing Jacob's family being a lot nicer in this book than the previous ones.
The word play in it was amazing.
March 16, 2025
A nostalgic reread for me that sadly wasn’t quite as good as I remember! It’s still an entertaining read that I’ll pass on to my kids, but honestly Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang is much better!
August 30, 2026
A very satisfying childhood caper.
June 12, 2015
I was impressed with the creativity of the trilogy’s opener. The second novel was less intricate but warm: helping a dinosaur reach a Canadian haven for his kind. Above expectations, I wholly enjoyed “Jacob Two-Two’s First Spy Case”, 1994! Mordecai Richler died with many sequels planned. It’s a loss that this final volume had at last hit this series’ stride! Every character, including the undesirable Loathsome Leo and his Mother, headmaster Greedyguts, and teacher Sour Pickle are moulded so meticulously; we know them and dread their foibles as we read.
Jacob’s parents are loving and spunky. I laughed over the gambit in which the five children flee at their Dad’s muster call: “Who is my favourite child”! They know the one extricated from hiding first, will be prevailed upon for a chore! The whole story blossoms so organically, from the poker games at which Jacob and his Mom dread encountering Loathsome Leo, to the exciting new neighbour Jacob instantly adores: X Barnaby Dinglebat. The problem of thieving headmaster and stingy cook are clear but cruelty is never the book’s tone. It is whimsical at every turn.
Jacob, as tickled as I would be with such an ostentatious, enigmatic neighbour; is old enough at eight for his voice and intelligence to emerge. He is exceptionally quick at learning Barnaby’s spying arts. Nothing is more delightful than the visual codes like bananas, inviting or dissuading visits. The clairvoyant card trick is exceptionally good and easy to pull off. My utterly favourite detailing is phrases like: “I have had a bath in Turkey and eaten turkey in a city called Bath”! With humour in place of suspense: this would have amounted to a series as enthralling in its way, as “The Hardy Boys” & “Nancy Drew”! Savour this story wherever you find it.
Jacob’s parents are loving and spunky. I laughed over the gambit in which the five children flee at their Dad’s muster call: “Who is my favourite child”! They know the one extricated from hiding first, will be prevailed upon for a chore! The whole story blossoms so organically, from the poker games at which Jacob and his Mom dread encountering Loathsome Leo, to the exciting new neighbour Jacob instantly adores: X Barnaby Dinglebat. The problem of thieving headmaster and stingy cook are clear but cruelty is never the book’s tone. It is whimsical at every turn.
Jacob, as tickled as I would be with such an ostentatious, enigmatic neighbour; is old enough at eight for his voice and intelligence to emerge. He is exceptionally quick at learning Barnaby’s spying arts. Nothing is more delightful than the visual codes like bananas, inviting or dissuading visits. The clairvoyant card trick is exceptionally good and easy to pull off. My utterly favourite detailing is phrases like: “I have had a bath in Turkey and eaten turkey in a city called Bath”! With humour in place of suspense: this would have amounted to a series as enthralling in its way, as “The Hardy Boys” & “Nancy Drew”! Savour this story wherever you find it.
June 27, 2013
"...Richler is another meaningful figure for Gail. I took two semesters of Canadian lit when I was in college, trying to get in touch with my ancestors. It didn't work because the course didn't cover any French Canadian literature for the obvious reason that it was taught in English. (Or maybe there was something political going on. I mean there should have been some English translations of French Canadian work, right?) So I left the academic world with no greater understanding of my forebears but with the feeling that people like Margaret Atwood, Robertson Davies, and Mordecai Richler were friends of my youth.
So after being reminded that Richler had written for children, I went right out and found (at A Reading Fool's library) a copy of Jacob Two-Two's First Spy Case. Though the book was published in the 1990s (not so very long ago) it has a retro feel that is charming rather than dated. It's probably due to the fact that Richler began the three-book Jacob series twenty years earlier, in the mid-70s. (Evidently adult authors have been dipping into the kidlit pool for a while.)"
"There's lots of wordplay, which I'm not terribly fond of, myself, though I understand kids like it. The book also has a lot of material built around very traditional kid interests--spies, card tricks (a very good one), superheroes, and over-the-top adult nasties at school. Who are, of course, defeated by Jacob.
And these books are truly set somewhere--Montreal. A lot of short chapter books don't have a strong sense of being about any particular place.
Jacob Two-Two is a very real character. His books would be great for the kind of traditional boys boy who thinks books aren't for kids like him."
Excerpts from Original Content
So after being reminded that Richler had written for children, I went right out and found (at A Reading Fool's library) a copy of Jacob Two-Two's First Spy Case. Though the book was published in the 1990s (not so very long ago) it has a retro feel that is charming rather than dated. It's probably due to the fact that Richler began the three-book Jacob series twenty years earlier, in the mid-70s. (Evidently adult authors have been dipping into the kidlit pool for a while.)"
"There's lots of wordplay, which I'm not terribly fond of, myself, though I understand kids like it. The book also has a lot of material built around very traditional kid interests--spies, card tricks (a very good one), superheroes, and over-the-top adult nasties at school. Who are, of course, defeated by Jacob.
And these books are truly set somewhere--Montreal. A lot of short chapter books don't have a strong sense of being about any particular place.
Jacob Two-Two is a very real character. His books would be great for the kind of traditional boys boy who thinks books aren't for kids like him."
Excerpts from Original Content
May 30, 2012
Jacob Two-Two will always be a bit coloured for me by the musical (I will always hear the jury singing "Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! Take him away!"), and by the cartoon version, particularly Mr. I. M. Greedyguts, who was made slightly more sympathetic in that version.
That said, Mordecai Richler's prose is sparkling and hilarious for both adults and children. There's something about Perfectly Loathsome Leo Louse and the school lunches that rings true, even as the descriptions become more and more absurd. There are nice touches - the endless descriptions of what X. Barnaby Dinglebat, Master Spy, is doing on his missions, the trips to McDonalds (there actually is one on Atwater in Montreal), the trip to Schwartz's.
That said, Mordecai Richler's prose is sparkling and hilarious for both adults and children. There's something about Perfectly Loathsome Leo Louse and the school lunches that rings true, even as the descriptions become more and more absurd. There are nice touches - the endless descriptions of what X. Barnaby Dinglebat, Master Spy, is doing on his missions, the trips to McDonalds (there actually is one on Atwater in Montreal), the trip to Schwartz's.
July 19, 2011
We listened to an audio version of this book. I am not sure if it was just the way the audio book was recorded or if it was the book itself, but I was not very impressed and don't feel much like reading any more Jacob Two-Two books.
Read
June 20, 2009Jacob Two-Two's First Spy Case (Jacob Two-Two) by Mordecai Richler (1997)
Read
June 27, 2013I read this book a loooong time ago and despite the hideous drawings, I remember really enjoying it. :)
April 30, 2014
Not as good as the original.
November 10, 2014
Kids loved it!
December 13, 2016
Bothered me a lot that both villains are pretty much male versions of me.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews