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Hamish and the PDF #3
Hamish and the Gravity Burp
Quand Hector rentre chez lui et trouve sa mère et son frère collés au plafond, il comprend qu'il se passe (encore !) quelque chose d'anormal à Starkley. Est-ce que cela pourrait avoir un lien avec les étranges bruits de rot qui résonnent dans toute la ville ? Et pourquoi des graines se mettent soudain à tomber du ciel ? La fin du monde est-elle toute proche ? Action et émotion pour Hector et ses amis qui affrontent leur plus terrible défi !
- GenresChildrens
272 pages, Paperback
Published March 9, 2017
13 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Danny Wallace
60 books642 followersDaniel Frederick Wallace is a British filmmaker, comedian, writer, actor, and presenter of radio and television. His notable works include the books Join Me, Yes Man, and the TV series How to Start Your Own Country. As an author, Wallace's bestselling books have been translated into more than a dozen languages.
He began writing reviews for video game magazines at the age of 13 for school work experience: a reviewer had become ill and so Wallace was given the opportunity to review a game. At 18 he started writing comedy, mainly through the magazine Comedy Review. He specialised in radio production at the University of Westminster.
At 22, he became a BBC producer. He was part of the production team behind British Comedy Award-winning Dead Ringers, the original producer of the critically acclaimed cult hit The Mighty Boosh, and the creator and producer of Ross Noble Goes Global. As a journalist, Wallace has worked for The Scotsman, The Guardian, The Independent, Elle, Cosmo, The Times and other publications.
In 1999, Wallace challenged comedian Dave Gorman, who at the time was his flatmate, to find 54 other people called Dave Gorman ("one for every card in the deck, including the Jokers"). Wallace accompanied Gorman on his quest and the men created Are You Dave Gorman?, an award-winning comedy stage show about what happened during their journey. A BBC series, also co-written and co-produced by Wallace, followed, as did a book, written by both men.
In 2003, Wallace's book Join Me was published. The book explains how he "accidentally started a 'cult'" called Join Me. The movement would go global, with each member committing to undertaking one random act of kindness for a stranger every Friday ("Good Fridays"). Tens of thousands joined. Join Me celebrates "Karmageddon 10" in December 2011. Traditionally, hundreds of members travel to London for the meet-up and undertake good deeds for strangers, with Wallace present. The movement is now generally referred to as the "Karma Army", although members are still typically "Joinees". He became a minor celebrity in Belgium whilst on his quest for Joinees. While on a book tour through America, Wallace was dubbed a "Generation X legend" by the Wisconsin State Journal.
Wallace next wrote a short book called Random Acts of Kindness: 365 Ways To Make the World A Better Place, with the help of submissions from Joinees. It includes many humorous Random Acts of Kindness (RAoK) ideas, such as "Contradict Demeaning Graffiti", and "Make An Old Man Very Happy."
Wallace's second solo book, Yes Man was published in July 2005. In it, he describes how he spent six months "saying Yes where once I would have said No", to make his life more interesting and positive. In this book he shows the tribulations and mischief that he got up to while he said yes to any question or proposal. The book was described as "one of those rare books that actually has the potential to change your life" by the San Francisco Bay Guardian and as "a fascinating book and a fascinating experiment" by David Letterman. A film adaptation of Yes Man was developed with Warner Bros. and stars Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel. It was released in 2008 in the US and the UK. Wallace appeared on screen in a cameo in a bar scene in the last ten minutes of the film, holding a British pint glass.
Danny Wallace and the Centre of the Universe was published in 2006. It is linked with World Book Day which in 2006 was on Thursday 2 March. It tells the story of Wallace's trip to Idaho, to visit a manhole cover in a small town, whose residents have proclaimed it the centre of the universe. The cover identifies it as a "Quick Read"; the price and length of the book have been curbed in order to encourage people who may not often read books to purchase it.
Wallace's book, Friends Like These, was released on the 3 July 2008, and tells the story of how he spent a summer trying to track down his old school friends from his days in Dundee,
He began writing reviews for video game magazines at the age of 13 for school work experience: a reviewer had become ill and so Wallace was given the opportunity to review a game. At 18 he started writing comedy, mainly through the magazine Comedy Review. He specialised in radio production at the University of Westminster.
At 22, he became a BBC producer. He was part of the production team behind British Comedy Award-winning Dead Ringers, the original producer of the critically acclaimed cult hit The Mighty Boosh, and the creator and producer of Ross Noble Goes Global. As a journalist, Wallace has worked for The Scotsman, The Guardian, The Independent, Elle, Cosmo, The Times and other publications.
In 1999, Wallace challenged comedian Dave Gorman, who at the time was his flatmate, to find 54 other people called Dave Gorman ("one for every card in the deck, including the Jokers"). Wallace accompanied Gorman on his quest and the men created Are You Dave Gorman?, an award-winning comedy stage show about what happened during their journey. A BBC series, also co-written and co-produced by Wallace, followed, as did a book, written by both men.
In 2003, Wallace's book Join Me was published. The book explains how he "accidentally started a 'cult'" called Join Me. The movement would go global, with each member committing to undertaking one random act of kindness for a stranger every Friday ("Good Fridays"). Tens of thousands joined. Join Me celebrates "Karmageddon 10" in December 2011. Traditionally, hundreds of members travel to London for the meet-up and undertake good deeds for strangers, with Wallace present. The movement is now generally referred to as the "Karma Army", although members are still typically "Joinees". He became a minor celebrity in Belgium whilst on his quest for Joinees. While on a book tour through America, Wallace was dubbed a "Generation X legend" by the Wisconsin State Journal.
Wallace next wrote a short book called Random Acts of Kindness: 365 Ways To Make the World A Better Place, with the help of submissions from Joinees. It includes many humorous Random Acts of Kindness (RAoK) ideas, such as "Contradict Demeaning Graffiti", and "Make An Old Man Very Happy."
Wallace's second solo book, Yes Man was published in July 2005. In it, he describes how he spent six months "saying Yes where once I would have said No", to make his life more interesting and positive. In this book he shows the tribulations and mischief that he got up to while he said yes to any question or proposal. The book was described as "one of those rare books that actually has the potential to change your life" by the San Francisco Bay Guardian and as "a fascinating book and a fascinating experiment" by David Letterman. A film adaptation of Yes Man was developed with Warner Bros. and stars Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel. It was released in 2008 in the US and the UK. Wallace appeared on screen in a cameo in a bar scene in the last ten minutes of the film, holding a British pint glass.
Danny Wallace and the Centre of the Universe was published in 2006. It is linked with World Book Day which in 2006 was on Thursday 2 March. It tells the story of Wallace's trip to Idaho, to visit a manhole cover in a small town, whose residents have proclaimed it the centre of the universe. The cover identifies it as a "Quick Read"; the price and length of the book have been curbed in order to encourage people who may not often read books to purchase it.
Wallace's book, Friends Like These, was released on the 3 July 2008, and tells the story of how he spent a summer trying to track down his old school friends from his days in Dundee,
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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February 3, 2019good
March 21, 2017
A new Hamish and this time the world is threatened by giant Gravity Burps!
Yes, burps! Our villains from the previous books are still going strong, and this time they build something that makes the gravity go wonky. The eventual plan is to make a burp so strong that the whole world will just go POOF. :P I definitely loved the idea of a gravity burp, it just fits so well with this series and its silliness. Add to that the chaos of the plants (and how they grow), and it is perfection.
Before I go to the rest of the good stuff, I just had one point that was a bit frustrating to me. The dad. Hamish and the PDF have saved the world 2 times now, on their own for most, and yet that man is blind for it all. He still sees his kid as a kid, he doesn't trust him with anything, and is wary of everything. I just wish he would see how great his kid, and his friends were. It seems in the end he did get it, but throughout the book I just wanted to throw him as food for Vinnie.
I loved that we saw some Superiors this time, and also saw the island where they live along with all their evilness. Including some very evil plants of DOOOOOM! It was also interesting that the island wasn't even that far away from Starkley, it is like it was all planned that way given what Starkley is.
Yes, we finally find out about a bit more about Starkley, and I am delighted that the author had such a giant backstory to the town, and boy it was interesting! I won't spoil anything, but I was really happy with everything. It all makes me want to re-read the older books again. To see if there were ever hints to this.
And not only about Starkley, but also about several residents living in the town.
It was definitely fun that some bad candies helped with the plants, I didn't expect that. You would think that if it happens to one that the others will get it is a bad idea, but it seems the plants can't think that far ahead. :P
The book is super action packed, you won't be bored at any time. Instead you will fly through and you can't stop reading until you reach the end! Plus you will laugh your butt off during many moments.
Of course the book still got the great illustrations by Jamie Littler!
Plus extra points go to the how the book is designed, not only for the flip book plantmonster at the bottom of almost every page, but also the plants on the side.
I would highly recommend this, and I hope we will get more Hamish (and also Vinnie) in the future.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
Yes, burps! Our villains from the previous books are still going strong, and this time they build something that makes the gravity go wonky. The eventual plan is to make a burp so strong that the whole world will just go POOF. :P I definitely loved the idea of a gravity burp, it just fits so well with this series and its silliness. Add to that the chaos of the plants (and how they grow), and it is perfection.
Before I go to the rest of the good stuff, I just had one point that was a bit frustrating to me. The dad. Hamish and the PDF have saved the world 2 times now, on their own for most, and yet that man is blind for it all. He still sees his kid as a kid, he doesn't trust him with anything, and is wary of everything. I just wish he would see how great his kid, and his friends were. It seems in the end he did get it, but throughout the book I just wanted to throw him as food for Vinnie.
I loved that we saw some Superiors this time, and also saw the island where they live along with all their evilness. Including some very evil plants of DOOOOOM! It was also interesting that the island wasn't even that far away from Starkley, it is like it was all planned that way given what Starkley is.
Yes, we finally find out about a bit more about Starkley, and I am delighted that the author had such a giant backstory to the town, and boy it was interesting! I won't spoil anything, but I was really happy with everything. It all makes me want to re-read the older books again. To see if there were ever hints to this.
And not only about Starkley, but also about several residents living in the town.
It was definitely fun that some bad candies helped with the plants, I didn't expect that. You would think that if it happens to one that the others will get it is a bad idea, but it seems the plants can't think that far ahead. :P
The book is super action packed, you won't be bored at any time. Instead you will fly through and you can't stop reading until you reach the end! Plus you will laugh your butt off during many moments.
Of course the book still got the great illustrations by Jamie Littler!
Plus extra points go to the how the book is designed, not only for the flip book plantmonster at the bottom of almost every page, but also the plants on the side.
I would highly recommend this, and I hope we will get more Hamish (and also Vinnie) in the future.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
June 10, 2021
I read the first book from this series a few months ago, and I liked it way more than this book. I was really disappointed with it, but I cannot say that it was bad, just underwhelming. This book is perfect for ages 6-10. 3.25 stars.
May 10, 2019
I LOVE Danny Wallace! Perhaps not as much as my 8 year old son, but as an adult who has had to listen to him read the Hamish books, and the Captain Underpant books, I can safely say that these are infinitely better. The humour is irreverent and subversive at times, which totally goes over the kids heads but I love it. Strongly recommended to any child (and adult listening).
March 2, 2020
Hier geht's zur vollständigen Rezension auf meinem Blog.
Rezension
Kann Spoiler bezüglich der ersten beiden Teile enthalten!
Dieses Buch war episch. Es gab richtig coole Entwicklungen und Szenen, die mich begeistert haben. Im Grunde ist das Buch so etwas wie ein Science Fiction Politthriller für Kinder. Alles auf einfachem Niveau geschildert, aber die Elemente, die so fesselnd sind, bleiben gleich. Zum Beispiel gibt es in diesem Buch eine Stadt, die sich auf einen Krieg vorbereitet. Und damit meine ich nicht die Bewohner, sondern die Stadt selbst. Zwar war das menschengemacht, aber trotzdem erweckte es den Eindruck als sei die Stadt lebendig. Das hat mir teilweise wirklich Gänsehaut beschert. Außerdem sind nicht nur Belasko-Agenten aufgetaucht, sondern auch Schläfer der Organisation. Diese Enthüllungen haben mich komplett überrascht und es war wirklich faszinierend, wie Großbritanniens viertlangweiligste Stadt immer neue Dinge zu bieten hat.
Dass es mehr Hintergrundinformationen zu den vorherigen Teilen gibt, ist mir überhaupt positiv aufgefallen. Es beginnt damit, dass erläutert wird, warum eine langweilige Stadt wie Starkley von all den schrecklichen Ereignissen betroffen ist. Die Idee dahinter hat mir sehr gefallen, vor allem, weil es wirklich eine Begründung ist und nicht einfach zufällig die Heimatstadt des Protagonisten trifft. Darüber hinaus spielt diesmal beispielsweise auch die Insel eine Rolle, auf der Axel Scarmarsh aus dem zweiten Band seine Monster erschaffen hat. Ich fand es richtig interessant, wie die einzelnen Bücher ineinander greifen.
Außerdem haben mich in diesem Band die tollen Charaktere begeistert. Die Personen, die bereits bekannt sind, entwickeln sich wunderbar weiter. Beispielsweise wurde die schrullige Süßigkeitenverkäuferin Madame Cous Cous richtig sympathisch und witzig. Und Alice mag ich mit jedem Buch noch ein bisschen mehr. Sie ist ein starkes, durchtriebenes Mädchen, das Hamish immer mit den richtigen Worten und Taten zur Seite steht, sodass er sich absolut auf sie verlassen kann. Über die bekannten Figuren hinaus werden auch diesmal wieder neue Charaktere eingeführt, allerdings weit weniger als im zweiten Band, sodass ich diesmal keine Schwierigkeiten hatte, sie auseinander zu halten. Das ist, zugegebenermaßen, auch deshalb nicht schwierig, weil nicht alle neuen Figuren menschlich sind. Ich habe eine ziemliche Schwäche für Vermenschlichung von Gegenständen oder nicht-menschlichen Lebewesen. Sprechender Schwerter, lebendige Umhänge, die Bewohner verteidigende Häuser, den Freunden gegenüber loyale Pflanzen – diese entwickeln sich im Grunde immer zu meinen Lieblingscharakteren. Eine solche Figur, genannt Vinnie, gibt es auch in diesem Buch und ich bin hin und weg. Die Szenen mit Vinnie waren wirklich herzerwärmend.
Fazit
Dieses Buch war genauso episch wie der erste Band. Die Geschichte war fesselnd und konnte mich mehrfach überraschen. Es hat mir gefallen, dass weiter Hintergrundinformationen geliefert werden sowohl zur Welt als auch zu den Ereignissen in den vorherigen Bänden. Außerdem haben mich die Charaktere begeistert. Bereits bekannte Figuren entwickeln sich wunderbar weiter und eine neue Figur ist direkt zu meinem Liebling geworden. „Hamish and the GravityBurp“ war ein ganz wunderbares Buch und bekommt dafür alle fünf Schreibfedern.
Rezension
Kann Spoiler bezüglich der ersten beiden Teile enthalten!
Dieses Buch war episch. Es gab richtig coole Entwicklungen und Szenen, die mich begeistert haben. Im Grunde ist das Buch so etwas wie ein Science Fiction Politthriller für Kinder. Alles auf einfachem Niveau geschildert, aber die Elemente, die so fesselnd sind, bleiben gleich. Zum Beispiel gibt es in diesem Buch eine Stadt, die sich auf einen Krieg vorbereitet. Und damit meine ich nicht die Bewohner, sondern die Stadt selbst. Zwar war das menschengemacht, aber trotzdem erweckte es den Eindruck als sei die Stadt lebendig. Das hat mir teilweise wirklich Gänsehaut beschert. Außerdem sind nicht nur Belasko-Agenten aufgetaucht, sondern auch Schläfer der Organisation. Diese Enthüllungen haben mich komplett überrascht und es war wirklich faszinierend, wie Großbritanniens viertlangweiligste Stadt immer neue Dinge zu bieten hat.
Dass es mehr Hintergrundinformationen zu den vorherigen Teilen gibt, ist mir überhaupt positiv aufgefallen. Es beginnt damit, dass erläutert wird, warum eine langweilige Stadt wie Starkley von all den schrecklichen Ereignissen betroffen ist. Die Idee dahinter hat mir sehr gefallen, vor allem, weil es wirklich eine Begründung ist und nicht einfach zufällig die Heimatstadt des Protagonisten trifft. Darüber hinaus spielt diesmal beispielsweise auch die Insel eine Rolle, auf der Axel Scarmarsh aus dem zweiten Band seine Monster erschaffen hat. Ich fand es richtig interessant, wie die einzelnen Bücher ineinander greifen.
Außerdem haben mich in diesem Band die tollen Charaktere begeistert. Die Personen, die bereits bekannt sind, entwickeln sich wunderbar weiter. Beispielsweise wurde die schrullige Süßigkeitenverkäuferin Madame Cous Cous richtig sympathisch und witzig. Und Alice mag ich mit jedem Buch noch ein bisschen mehr. Sie ist ein starkes, durchtriebenes Mädchen, das Hamish immer mit den richtigen Worten und Taten zur Seite steht, sodass er sich absolut auf sie verlassen kann. Über die bekannten Figuren hinaus werden auch diesmal wieder neue Charaktere eingeführt, allerdings weit weniger als im zweiten Band, sodass ich diesmal keine Schwierigkeiten hatte, sie auseinander zu halten. Das ist, zugegebenermaßen, auch deshalb nicht schwierig, weil nicht alle neuen Figuren menschlich sind. Ich habe eine ziemliche Schwäche für Vermenschlichung von Gegenständen oder nicht-menschlichen Lebewesen. Sprechender Schwerter, lebendige Umhänge, die Bewohner verteidigende Häuser, den Freunden gegenüber loyale Pflanzen – diese entwickeln sich im Grunde immer zu meinen Lieblingscharakteren. Eine solche Figur, genannt Vinnie, gibt es auch in diesem Buch und ich bin hin und weg. Die Szenen mit Vinnie waren wirklich herzerwärmend.
Fazit
Dieses Buch war genauso episch wie der erste Band. Die Geschichte war fesselnd und konnte mich mehrfach überraschen. Es hat mir gefallen, dass weiter Hintergrundinformationen geliefert werden sowohl zur Welt als auch zu den Ereignissen in den vorherigen Bänden. Außerdem haben mich die Charaktere begeistert. Bereits bekannte Figuren entwickeln sich wunderbar weiter und eine neue Figur ist direkt zu meinem Liebling geworden. „Hamish and the GravityBurp“ war ein ganz wunderbares Buch und bekommt dafür alle fünf Schreibfedern.
April 22, 2021
I have not read the first two books in this series. I may well do in the future. I also feel that this gives enough backstory for them not to be essential to enjoy this.
Keeping this review spoiler free isn't easy. Any point I could make regarding the plot or the influences on it I recognised could be potential spoilers. It does have element that you would come to expect when reading books aimed at this target audience. The exaggerated noises and the mention of bodily functions especially.
I enjoyed the read and the journey. What I would consider to be critical of could be explained away in the prequels so I won't mention them here.
A high 3* which could change to a 4* if I read the prequels.
Keeping this review spoiler free isn't easy. Any point I could make regarding the plot or the influences on it I recognised could be potential spoilers. It does have element that you would come to expect when reading books aimed at this target audience. The exaggerated noises and the mention of bodily functions especially.
I enjoyed the read and the journey. What I would consider to be critical of could be explained away in the prequels so I won't mention them here.
A high 3* which could change to a 4* if I read the prequels.
May 4, 2017
My 10 year old found this book hilarious (me not so much), the illustrations are brilliant. The graphic on the edge of the pages showing on the closed book, is novel and certainly attractive for children.
4 star review given by daughter as its 'really good and very funny'.
4 star review given by daughter as its 'really good and very funny'.
August 19, 2019
A really good book, i enjoyed it and would recommend it, especially for younger readers- although adults should try it too! It has a good message about not giving up and is really funny- my favourite book in the series so far!
June 24, 2017
A litle too short, but I loved the idea. Very funny.
July 2, 2017
Good book.
August 28, 2017
If I have to read children's books for work, they are definitely counting towards my goal.
November 1, 2017
This was a big strange and boring. No real plot.
September 17, 2023
Another fantastic adventure for Hamish and the PDF kids to help save their town, Starkley and the whole wide world from their Superior enemy species!! Great job and marvellous writing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2025
great and unexpected
March 5, 2017
Yes. Once again excellent illustrations from Jamie Littler. Lovely familiar characters (Hamish, Alice, Madame Cous Cous etc. etc.). A return to the intensity of humour in book 1. Looks like there are going to be more in the series. Great. I think Frank Cottrell Boyce captures the essence of this book in the comment he made for the cover ... "Chuckle giggle, SNORT!" Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews