Jackanapes

by Juliana Horatia Ewing, Randolph Caldecott (Illustrator)

A story of friendship, loyalty, and the meaning and value of life.

Genres: Childrens

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1895

About the author

Born in 1841, Juliana Horatia Gatty was the daughter of the Rev. Alfred Gatty, a Church of England vicar, and an author, and of Margaret Gatty, also an author. She was married to Major Alexander Ewing, of the British army pay department, in 1867, relocating with him to New Brunswick, Canada, for the first two years of their marriage. Although Major Ewing was posted abroad again, in 1879 and 1881, Mrs. Ewing was prevented from accompanying him by ill health. She moved to Bath in 1885, in the hopes that the change would improve her health, but she died there that same year.

Juliana Horatia Ewing - sometimes also styled Juliana Horatia Gatty Ewing, or just "Mrs. Ewing" - is credited by Roger Lancelyn Green as being the author of the the "first outstanding child-novels" in English literature. In addition to her children's novels, Ewing also edited a number of magazines for young readers, including the Nursery Magazines (from 1856), the Monthly Packet and the monthly Aunt Judy's Magazine (both from 1866).

Reviews

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 5 out of 5]

hehehehe, little boy Jackanapes smoking cigars, but heavens no, not a pipe. He's not that naughty. xD

I love the character development right off the bat and they're easy to imagine if you've watched a lot of old BBC epic shows.

I love these old English books because they aren't condescending to the youth like most books are nowadays, where everything is dumbed down regardless of age.

In my opinion, the book is hilarious. I think this is a funny quote, when speaking of the goose;
"It was not use to argue the point, for she had a very small head, and when one idea got into it there was no room for another."

[Boundingability · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up an 1883 copy of this slim Victorian children’s book at a shop in Greenwich on my travels through England recently.

While sitting on a train I pulled it out and made quick work of reading the story.

Overall, the book is teaching children the value of sacrifice, of laying down your life for another. Which as the book was published by “The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge” is not surprising.

Additionally, the nation of Britain during this time was heavily religious and constantly at war around the globe in its conquests after the Napoleonic Wars wrapped. So in that context the book is quite appropriate for the time.

I think the book was also a bit of a propaganda piece to young boys, showing the glory one would receive not only in Heaven but in service of their country.

I enjoyed the fanciful aspect of a Goose who lives on the common green that remembers and has opinions. It gave me a feeling of a Beatrix Potter precursor and made the book more childlike.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely sentimental victoriana about heroism and duty in what is probably the Crimean War. Nonetheless, moving, a good story. Nothing wrong with celebrating heroism and self-sacrifice. STRONG ADVISORY: don't read this unless you have the edition (Oxford, I think from the 1940s or 50s) with illustrations by Tasha Tudor. Much better than another onoe illustrated I think by Caldecott.

[Ann Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book (copyright 1895) in my mother-in-law's book collection. Among the long list of editions of this book I could not find the one I read, which was from the "Cosy Corner Series" by L. C. Page and Company, illustrated by Amy Sacker. I had trouble getting into the story at first but eventually it became less obtuse. Much of the book was spent moralizing, as children's books of this era were wont to do. I found this to be an interesting passage: That father in God, who bade the young men to be pure, and the maidens brave, greatly disturbed a member of his congregation, who thought that the great preacher had made a slip of the tongue.
"That the girls should have purity, and the boys courage, is what you should say, good father?"
"Nature has done that," was the reply; "I meant what I said."

[Corgi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Jackanapes by Juliana Horatia Ewing, Illustrated by Tasha Tudor. The story is not modern day, as it doesn't flow like stories of today. I loved the illustrations by T Tudor.

I would recommend this book to readers who like: old-fashioned children's stories and illustrations by Tasha Tudor.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story. Grateful to have read it.

“There be things—oh, sons of what has deserved the name of Great Britain, forget it not!—‘the good of’ which and ‘the use of’ which are beyond all calculation of worldly goods and earthly uses; things such as Love, and Honor, and the Soul of Man, which cannot be bought with a price, and which do not die with death.”

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. You would not find a child's book today dealing with death of the main character in a war it is written well and is mostly fun. There's no question to the moral of the story but better done than most of that type.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pre-reading this book for my son’s school year was a joy. The humor is adorable and I think my son will enjoy the little adventures of Jackanapes. The ending was a beautiful reminder of self-sacrifice for another and not all stories need happy endings to be beautiful.

[Kevin Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cool little book. Sad story, Touching I guess. Meant for boys to be taught manliness and honor as in the times of Waterloo.

[Jc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay... 4 stars? Well, yeah -- but I am not necessarily recommending anyone rush out and get this. I give it 4 for what it is: a mid-19th century young boys' adventure. The British woman who wrote this short work was obviously hoping to encourage young upper class British boys to aspire to be like their uncles and grand-uncles who fought and died at Waterloo et al. So, IF you are looking for a young boy novelette from the 1850s this is a fine one, but otherwise this probably isn't what you are looking to read (though it would only take you an hour or so).

[If you do take a peek at it, Caldecott's (for whom the children’s book award, the Caldecott Medal, is named) drawings are themselves something special to see:].

note: I have had this one hanging around my library since I bought it in 5th grade.

[Martyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

October 2018 (3 stars):
It's the same as The Story of a Short Life, promoting a military career as a noble and patriotic occupation for a young man, worth all the sacrifices it may call upon a man and his friends and family to make. I'm not exactly sure how this story was promoting Christian knowledge. It's engaging enough – and short enough – but would I want to inspire a child to join the army today?

April 2025 (4 stars):
Jackanapes was better than I remembered it being. It's sweet, it's nicely written, and has a few really lovely sentences. The goose is a wonderful character. The atmosphere is so charming.