Masterminders

by Tara Basi, Graeme Maughan (Editor), Chris Coady (Illustrator)

From the cauldron of a small Catholic primary school playground on the weather-beaten Small Island, Bobby and Terry set about tackling the world’s most intractable Global Warming, Women’s Troubles, Politics, Revolution, War and more. Beset by bullies, nuns and hormones, our duo and the occasional apprentice relentlessly pursue knowledge and truth with only logic, the odd exploding gerbil experiment and chocolate to protect them from the terrors of the playground. The story is told from Terry’s often confused perspective as he plays Alan Davies to Bobby’s Stephen Fry. The boys’ philosophical explorations of the human condition lead them to riches beyond understanding, poverty so crushing that a single wine gum is out of reach, the heights of power and the helplessness of unrequited infatuation – all under the reign of the Power Three, the playground’s bully trio of Tony, George and, Terry’s impossible love interest, Madge. Terry and Bobby are aided in their quests by the Small Island’s residents, including the disgraced ex-world-sheep-throwing champion Mr McStrumpy; Mr McTater, the island’s only butcher who is obsessed with perfecting the ultimate seagull sausage; bookshop owner, would-be author and faux-paedophile Mr Dicklightly; the crazed whirling dervish that is Dimple; and the ever-present Mr Singh, owner of the Small Island’s post office cum Sweet and Chips Emporium with Tent Café. Meanwhile, Terry’s dad is missing and his penniless mum is endlessly distracted by a bitter custody battle while holding down three jobs; and Bobby’s dad is very sick. Resilient as double-gusseted underpants, the pair battle through the four seasons of the school year to discover the eternal truths of life, death, friendship and the simple blessings of tofu-free chips. Masterminders was shortlisted for the Novel Prize.

131 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 3, 2014

Reviews

[Keisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterminders by Tara Basi is a hilarious and smart novel centered around the antics of two primary-schoolers, Bobby and Terry. Using fantastic schemes, they attempt to tackle some of today’s toughest issues. From global warming, human rights, and bullying to female issues, like punctuation madness and erectile dysfunction.

Mostly succeeding with innocence and unexpected self-assurance that only children can pull off, they navigate the ever-changing corners of their Catholic School playground and the small eccentric island community they inhabit. The wonderfully brilliant schemes thought up by the “…intellectual heavyweight” Bobby, begins the same, with his signature pants hitch ( a sign he is truly thinking). Then each usually consists of an initial pitch to whomever they can use to pursue their current goals. Ultimately, the ideas work in favor of the boys more times than not.

The story is told through the eyes of Terry, as he is willingly lead, on a year-long journey of intellectual pursuits. Armed with knowledge found in Discovery Channel DVD’s, Bobby and Terry scheme towards making the world a better place for all. Masterminders has a relatively small rotating cast consisting of other island residents. Each character is another bright, funny, eccentric, and well-developed addition to the narrative. For instance, Mr. Dicklightly and Dimple, these are easily two of the most eccentric, funny, and imaginative characters found in the pages.

My favorite character has to be Madge. Although not directly involved in all the crazy shenanigans of these boys, she is always somehow mentioned, because of Terry’s infatuation with her. Her character changes and grows from over-powering bully to unlikely ally. Also, of the three bullies, she is the most intelligent and inquisitive.

I rate Masterminders 5 out of 5 stars. I truly enjoyed reading this novel. There are no offensive scenes or language in this novel. I laughed out loud and almost cried too. Tara Basi did an excellent job with this story. I would recommend Masterminders to both young adult and adult readers alike that enjoy funny, intellectual novels from unique points of view.

[Julie Whitley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wild ride

I loved this story! It was a crazy wild ride with two friends, Terry and Bobby, and their wilder schemes, and their perceptions that were close, but just off enough to be hilarious. Terry learns a lot in the company of his brilliantly off-kilter friend and his lessons culminate in a result he could have never imagined.