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The Bagthorpe Saga #1
Ordinary Jack
Everybody in Jack's family seems to be brilliant - apart from Jack and his downtrodden dog Zero. Even his little sister can beat him at swimming. But Jack's uncle Parker has come up with a plan to make him and Zero shine: they'll pretend that Jack can tell the future! If only they could foresee what chaos the plan will cause.
Helen Cresswell is the much-loved writer of over 40 children's books. She's the author of classics such as Lizzie Dripping as well as having adapted The Demon Headmaster for television. She has been runner-up for the Carnegie Medal four times.
Helen Cresswell is the much-loved writer of over 40 children's books. She's the author of classics such as Lizzie Dripping as well as having adapted The Demon Headmaster for television. She has been runner-up for the Carnegie Medal four times.
281 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
19 people are currently reading
809 people want to read
About the author
Helen Cresswell
148 books58 followersHelen Cresswell (1934–2005) was an English television scriptwriter and author of more than 100 children's books, best known for comedy and supernatural fiction. Her most popular book series, Lizzie Dripping and The Bagthorpe Saga, were also the basis for television series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
July 16, 2015
For the life of me I can't remember exactly how the Bagthorpes entered my life. It must have been a random grab off my local library shelf, because I've never heard of them referenced or mentioned in the years since (but then, it's my impression that its prolific author, Helen Cresswell, has never really had much of a presence on this side of the Atlantic). All I know is that at a certain time in my life—that is, that awful moment just before entering middle school—I read this series obsessively, ordering copies from small rural library branches from all over Central California to fuel my obsession. And this, the inaugural title, was always my particular favorite.
And it's really not hard, reading it now, to see why. It completely makes sense that as a lonely, awkward boy who felt like a complete outsider in life I would totally and completely empathize with an awkward boy who feels like a complete outsider in life, the sole "ordinary" member of a family of overachieving, self-proclaimed geniuses (though he was, luckily for him, less lonely than I was, thanks to his ever-present companion, an adopted stray named Zero). As such, I counted Jack, along with the boys of Little Men, as my best—and, sadly, probably only—friends during that particularly rough period of time, and as such, I've always remembered Jack, his family, and the ten books they inspired with unabashed affection.
Fast-forward now to the present, and returning to these books now, I can't help but smile over how much this series, for better or worse, formed my initial impressions of Britain and the British national character—by the time I met the infamous Radlett family of Nancy Mitford's The Pursuit of Love & Love in a Cold Climate: Two Novels, this family dynamic and lovable eccentricism seemed completely familiar, and frankly, a bit normal (honestly, they've got nothing on the manic Bagthorpe clan). And while I thoroughly enjoyed Ordinary Jack this time around, I have to admit that it is, objectively, not one of the strongest entries in the series, mostly because Cresswell is necessarily forced to make that extra effort required of first books in a series, fleshing out characters (which number no less than a dozen distinct personalities) and establishing intricate family dynamics that will provide an endless number of comical situations over the subsequent nine books.
But I must admit that as a character, Jack, by nature of his sheer ordinariness, is just not all that interesting of a character, though in a narrative sense he's absolutely necessary as the sole voice of reason in the increasingly surreal and absurd situations the Bagthorpes find themselves implicated in. And, of course, given our past, he'll always occupy a special place in my literary heart.
In all honesty a four star book, but in light of nostalgia, I can't imagine giving it anything less than five.
And it's really not hard, reading it now, to see why. It completely makes sense that as a lonely, awkward boy who felt like a complete outsider in life I would totally and completely empathize with an awkward boy who feels like a complete outsider in life, the sole "ordinary" member of a family of overachieving, self-proclaimed geniuses (though he was, luckily for him, less lonely than I was, thanks to his ever-present companion, an adopted stray named Zero). As such, I counted Jack, along with the boys of Little Men, as my best—and, sadly, probably only—friends during that particularly rough period of time, and as such, I've always remembered Jack, his family, and the ten books they inspired with unabashed affection.
Fast-forward now to the present, and returning to these books now, I can't help but smile over how much this series, for better or worse, formed my initial impressions of Britain and the British national character—by the time I met the infamous Radlett family of Nancy Mitford's The Pursuit of Love & Love in a Cold Climate: Two Novels, this family dynamic and lovable eccentricism seemed completely familiar, and frankly, a bit normal (honestly, they've got nothing on the manic Bagthorpe clan). And while I thoroughly enjoyed Ordinary Jack this time around, I have to admit that it is, objectively, not one of the strongest entries in the series, mostly because Cresswell is necessarily forced to make that extra effort required of first books in a series, fleshing out characters (which number no less than a dozen distinct personalities) and establishing intricate family dynamics that will provide an endless number of comical situations over the subsequent nine books.
But I must admit that as a character, Jack, by nature of his sheer ordinariness, is just not all that interesting of a character, though in a narrative sense he's absolutely necessary as the sole voice of reason in the increasingly surreal and absurd situations the Bagthorpes find themselves implicated in. And, of course, given our past, he'll always occupy a special place in my literary heart.
In all honesty a four star book, but in light of nostalgia, I can't imagine giving it anything less than five.
July 9, 2019
One of the ten books in the Bagthorpe Saga, Ordinary Jack was my first foray into the work of Helen Cresswell (who has over 100 titles under her belt). Never have I laughed so much in reading any book (and I have read a lot of funntybooks): the anarchic lifestyle of the Bagthorpe family ( based upon the author's own family) is as horrifying as it is wholly entertaining.
Poor Jack is surrounded by savant-esque siblings and parents. As the youngest, he feels that there are no specialisms or skill left for him to excel at and, anyway, he's not quite that sort of person. He's more interested in his dog and comics than reading Voltaire or playing the violin. But when the rather wily Uncle Parker notices the injustice in his nephew's standing, he proposes a plan that will Jack appear from from ordinary.
I don't think I can celebrate enough the comedy in this book. Although the plot was thin on the ground, its function was to allow space for the characters to flourish and flex and they do this in huge spades. The whole book felt as it had once been a script of Mr. Bagthorpe's writing, translated into a novel format. Utterly wonderful.
Poor Jack is surrounded by savant-esque siblings and parents. As the youngest, he feels that there are no specialisms or skill left for him to excel at and, anyway, he's not quite that sort of person. He's more interested in his dog and comics than reading Voltaire or playing the violin. But when the rather wily Uncle Parker notices the injustice in his nephew's standing, he proposes a plan that will Jack appear from from ordinary.
I don't think I can celebrate enough the comedy in this book. Although the plot was thin on the ground, its function was to allow space for the characters to flourish and flex and they do this in huge spades. The whole book felt as it had once been a script of Mr. Bagthorpe's writing, translated into a novel format. Utterly wonderful.
March 14, 2017
If P.G. Wodehouse had been writing novels for young readers during the last quarter of the 20th century, he might have come up with something like Ordinary Jack, the first in Helen Cresswell's series "The Bagthorpe Saga."
Jack, a hopelessly conventional and normal boy stuck in the middle of the madcap, eccentric Bagthorpe family, known for their prodigious achievements, wonders how he can ever get himself noticed. Uncle Parker, not exactly brilliant himself, sympathizes and comes up with a plan: Jack will become a prophet and go in for such mystical pursuits as visions, water divining, crystal-ball gazing and Tarot-card reading. Of course, all sorts of complications and much hilarity ensue. To add to the fun, there's a lovable dog named Zero.
I bought this book and its first six sequels (there have since been three more of them) in British paperback editions quite a number of years ago. Unfortunately, they seem to have gone out of print and are hard to find. It would be great if the publisher would reissue them as e-books, so more readers can enjoy this very funny series.
Jack, a hopelessly conventional and normal boy stuck in the middle of the madcap, eccentric Bagthorpe family, known for their prodigious achievements, wonders how he can ever get himself noticed. Uncle Parker, not exactly brilliant himself, sympathizes and comes up with a plan: Jack will become a prophet and go in for such mystical pursuits as visions, water divining, crystal-ball gazing and Tarot-card reading. Of course, all sorts of complications and much hilarity ensue. To add to the fun, there's a lovable dog named Zero.
I bought this book and its first six sequels (there have since been three more of them) in British paperback editions quite a number of years ago. Unfortunately, they seem to have gone out of print and are hard to find. It would be great if the publisher would reissue them as e-books, so more readers can enjoy this very funny series.
March 2, 2025
I fell in love with all the characters in this book, the members of the crazy Bagthorpe family. The story centers on Jack, who feels too ordinary in comparison to his siblings and parents, all of whom have many Strings in their Bow. His wacky Uncle Parker dreams up a scheme to make the family think Jack has prophetic powers. The scheme works quite well, actually, with prophecies fulfilled about Lavender Men and Brown Bears. All the while the dad breaks his arm trying to stand on his head and the mom is quite busy solving people’s Problems and we can’t forget Rosie who loves to set fires here and there.
February 11, 2010
The Bagthorpe Saga comprises ten books (though the tenth is terribly hard to find), beginning with this one, Ordinary Jack. They are a chronicle of the adventures of the eccentric Bagthorpe family: Mr. Bagthorpe, an irritable, paranoid scriptwriter; Mrs. Bagthorpe, juvenile magistrate and problem solver; their four children, William, Tess, Jack, and Rosie, all except Jack multi-talented; Grandma, the trouble-making matriarch of the clan; Aunt Celia and Uncle Parker and their four-year-old daughter Daisy, a pint-sized catastrophe waiting to happen; and Mrs. Fosdyke, the Bagthorpes' crotchety but talented cook.
These are hilarious books; I've read the first four at least ten times since I discovered them twenty years ago (the later ones are more recent acquisitions), and they still make me laugh out loud. The first four are the best; they're largely told from the point of view of Jack, the only ordinary one in the family, and his common sense and normality help to anchor the antics of the rest of the family. Also, there's a sense of family affection that's missing from the later books (though those are still funny and worth reading).
These are hilarious books; I've read the first four at least ten times since I discovered them twenty years ago (the later ones are more recent acquisitions), and they still make me laugh out loud. The first four are the best; they're largely told from the point of view of Jack, the only ordinary one in the family, and his common sense and normality help to anchor the antics of the rest of the family. Also, there's a sense of family affection that's missing from the later books (though those are still funny and worth reading).
February 7, 2017
This just has to be worth 5 stars. I loved this hilarious dysfunctional family as a child and found the re-read just as hilarious. Love Jack and adore the dog, Zero.
April 10, 2018
Loved this so much. Probably time for a reread.
November 16, 2019
I realized the other day that it had been long enough since my last re-read that I couldn't recall how the book ended. I'm pleased to say that it was just as delightfully funny as I remembered. I might have to toss Absolute Zero on my Teetering Pile to read again soon.
May 26, 2015
I discovered this book, the first in the expansive Bagthorpe Saga, somewhere around fifth grade. I thought it was funny then, and I think it's funny now. So do my kids: I read it aloud to my older boy about four years ago, and am now reading it to my youngest. Guess what? The older boy, now about to turn fifteen, has been sitting in, and laughs his head off.
Serious literature?
Nope.
Caustic, witty, sly, and full of spot-on large family dynamics?
Yep.
Cresswell's style involves endless modifying clauses, and I do wish she's sometimes just get on with it (perhaps I'm a bit like Mr. Bagthorpe in this regard), but the comedy never gets lost. Great young adult reading, and a great way to re-visit young adulthood for those who's already grown (dare I say it) old.
Serious literature?
Nope.
Caustic, witty, sly, and full of spot-on large family dynamics?
Yep.
Cresswell's style involves endless modifying clauses, and I do wish she's sometimes just get on with it (perhaps I'm a bit like Mr. Bagthorpe in this regard), but the comedy never gets lost. Great young adult reading, and a great way to re-visit young adulthood for those who's already grown (dare I say it) old.
October 14, 2020
Very amusing introduction to an unusual family - mostly realistic, but occasionally overly ridiculous. The humor is sometimes broad slapstick, but at other times very subtle. There are a lot of people to keep track of, and I'm looking forward to continuing with this series, anticipating that there will be more about different family members.
This had a bit in common with The Trouble with Jenny's Ear. Another reviewer here said it's like modernized Wodehouse - I hadn't thought of this, but it's exactly right. Probably another reason why I liked it.
This had a bit in common with The Trouble with Jenny's Ear. Another reviewer here said it's like modernized Wodehouse - I hadn't thought of this, but it's exactly right. Probably another reason why I liked it.
July 2, 2015
This was a light funny book enjoyable by children and adults alike. She seems to take inspiration from Roald Dahl as a lot of the characters are a bit boastful and spoiled; however, in this book even the 'bad' characters have redeeming characters. By the end of the book I was even fond of Jack's boastful family; whereas in Charlie and the Chocolate factory, the children were really hateful. It has some of the same feel in that poor old Jack is poor in skills and the other characters have several strings to their bow (talents) while Charlie Bucket is poor in money and the rest of the children are rich and spoiled. This book is clever and funny all the way through, bringing laughs from my children and myself without sinking to bathroom humour, racism, or insulting people like the Charlie Bucket series. It is all light-hearted good fun and nobody gets hurt.
August 9, 2013
First of the Bagthorpe Saga. Quite funny. Gifted eccentric famiily, very large brood. one child has no particular genius tries to find his talent.
I will look forward to the rest of the series. Thank you Ginny Gustin for introducing me.
I will look forward to the rest of the series. Thank you Ginny Gustin for introducing me.
March 25, 2016
One of those books that you'll read as a child.
And remember!
All in all, one of my favourites.
You've read the review? Go on, read the book.
And remember!
All in all, one of my favourites.
You've read the review? Go on, read the book.
May 17, 2025
You gotta love the Bagthorpes. This hyper competitive English family has many hilarious adventures. The stories, although often silly, have a measure of everyman in them and the foibles are also presented with wit and good nature. Each of the four children, save Jack, seems accomplished with various "strings" to their bows. Daddy Henry is a writer for the BBC who may not be as creative as he feels he is. Mom works as some kind of councilor for family problems, long-suffering grandpa is SD, selectively deaf, and Grandma is a nasty old thing forever grieving for her lost cat Thomas. Jack has a rather worthless dog Zero, despised by his dad, and Mrs. Fosdyke is the house keeper. Uncle Parker, his wife Celia and daughter Daisy live nearby. Parker seems to live a life of leisure as some kind of investor and he and Henry bait each other non-stop. His wife is a beautiful but ethereal dreamer and four year old Daisy is a fire-bug. In this first story, Jack is feeling lowly because he has lost a swim match to his younger sister Rosie and the others needle him. Uncle Parker likes Jack and hatches a plan to raise him in the family's eyes as a seer and prophet. Jack begins with a series of Mysterious Impressions and messages from beyond. The ruse is to build until Jack's power is undeniable. Needless to say, this starts well but ultimately fails among the usual Bagthorpe chaos, but Jack and Zero ultimately feel better about themselves. The narrative is full of hilarious and snarky inter-family digs and I laughed out loud in a number of places. I re-read the book in May 2025 and enjoyed, again, immensely.
July 15, 2015
I don’t know how this book got on my must-read list, why it stayed on there, and why I decided it was important enough to buy a used copy through Amazon’s booksellers. I can only hope my 1-cent purchase benefited some charity.
I’m sure it had its place, its time and its audience, long ago. It might have been one of those “reluctant reader” books that librarians love to recommend. Let me just say that there are many kids’ books that survive the test of time. Or will survive, like Saffy’s Angel. Probably not this one.
Sorry to be so negative. I'm a grownup and had no business reading it anyway.
I’m sure it had its place, its time and its audience, long ago. It might have been one of those “reluctant reader” books that librarians love to recommend. Let me just say that there are many kids’ books that survive the test of time. Or will survive, like Saffy’s Angel. Probably not this one.
Sorry to be so negative. I'm a grownup and had no business reading it anyway.
September 17, 2014
Poor Jack. In a family of (eccentric) overachievers, he's the average one, no 'strings to his bow.' In an effort to impress his family, he enlists his dog and his uncle in a scheme to demonstrate his psychic powers, which, of course, this being the Bagthorpes, goes awry with hilarious results.
Even as an adult, I find myself reflecting on Jack Bagthorpe's experiences when I've had a particularly difficult day at work and need to lighten up.. Cresswell's characters and their exploits never fade, from the demon pair of Grandma and Daisy to the hedgehogging housekeeper and the offstage Anonymous from Grisby.
Even as an adult, I find myself reflecting on Jack Bagthorpe's experiences when I've had a particularly difficult day at work and need to lighten up.. Cresswell's characters and their exploits never fade, from the demon pair of Grandma and Daisy to the hedgehogging housekeeper and the offstage Anonymous from Grisby.
April 21, 2018
The first in the series, so it's establishing the set up and characters, but Cresswell's comic touch is there from the get go. It still has some fabulous moments, like Jack pretending to be a Dalek and his unorthodox dog training methods.
Mr Bagthorpe is the single funniest character in children's literature, and he has a fine debut here. He is uncharacteristically quiet and civilised when he first appears; it's almost as though the author bumped into the pretentious writer from hell while writing the opening chapters, and had to immortalise them. Indeed, there are hints throughout the series re: who inspired Henry, but you won't hear it from me!
Mr Bagthorpe is the single funniest character in children's literature, and he has a fine debut here. He is uncharacteristically quiet and civilised when he first appears; it's almost as though the author bumped into the pretentious writer from hell while writing the opening chapters, and had to immortalise them. Indeed, there are hints throughout the series re: who inspired Henry, but you won't hear it from me!
February 6, 2017
I read the early Bagthorpe books as a child (I think there was a television series when I was quite young too) and loved them as the sibling of a gifted child. A Christmas round-robin letter from a ridiculously over achieving large family reminded me of them and I sent off for the first.
Happily it was as delightfully bonkers as I remembered - the strings to bows, the burnt out dining room (thanks to a four year old pyromaniac) and poor Jack and Zero muddling along trying to make an impression. Glorious - and I have discovered that many more were published after I grew out of them.... happy days ahead.
Happily it was as delightfully bonkers as I remembered - the strings to bows, the burnt out dining room (thanks to a four year old pyromaniac) and poor Jack and Zero muddling along trying to make an impression. Glorious - and I have discovered that many more were published after I grew out of them.... happy days ahead.
August 11, 2011
'Ordinary Jack' is a fun story ment to be read on a lazy summer day.
Young Jack feels out of place among his talanted and excentric family. An understanding Uncle takes jack under his wing to pull off a series of fun pranks that bring out the hilarity and disfunction in the family dynamic.
I found the family to be reminicent of 'The Royal Tenembaums'.
Originally published in 1977 and set in England- the story translates to modernity well. I see why it is on the list of 1001 books you must read befor you grow up.
Young Jack feels out of place among his talanted and excentric family. An understanding Uncle takes jack under his wing to pull off a series of fun pranks that bring out the hilarity and disfunction in the family dynamic.
I found the family to be reminicent of 'The Royal Tenembaums'.
Originally published in 1977 and set in England- the story translates to modernity well. I see why it is on the list of 1001 books you must read befor you grow up.
January 4, 2021
Just as funny as I remembered from childhood. The Bagthorpes are a family of many talents. The parents are successful and the children excel at their many hobbies (or strings to their bow) apart from Jack who is ordinary and consequently gets over looked. Aided and abetted by his eccentric Uncle Parker, Jack sets out to get noticed but his efforts, foiled by the misadventures of his clumsy and hapless dog Zero and the fact that his young cousin Daisy is developing pyromania as her "string to her bow", don't quite go to plan.I will look forward to the rest of the series
February 25, 2015
A very funny and enjoyable read. Sort of P. G. Woodhouse for kids! It would make a very hilarious read aloud story, as parents could explain some of the English details American kids would not understand.
Recommended for the Logos Library - third to high school - the older the child the more they will enjoy it. Dedicated to all those people who feel very average and ordinary, especially as children.
Recommended for the Logos Library - third to high school - the older the child the more they will enjoy it. Dedicated to all those people who feel very average and ordinary, especially as children.
November 3, 2007
Man oh man, I freaking loved all of the books in this series when I was in middle school. Granted, I think the reason my sister started reading them was because our last name is almost the same as Cresswell's, but the whole family was so freaking insane and funny and out-of-control in the best, most misanthropic way possible. Genius!
March 11, 2008
The Bagthorpes had been recommended to me from a number of different sources, so I'm finally giving them a go. So far: thumbs up! Good old-fashioned British fun with this wacky family. I expect I would have given this book more stars if I'd read this when I was younger, but it's still a good book when read at [redacted]. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
July 9, 2009
This book is for anyone who likes British comedies or "dysfunctional family" stories. The Bagthorpes are a huge British family, and each member is extraordinarily talented or weird. Except Jack, who is normal and hates it. Excellent book in a great old series, these books make me laugh every time I re-read them! XD
November 16, 2014
This was one of our family's favorite books to read aloud on long car trips when our (now gown up) children were younger. It was fun to see how it still holds up-- I laughed out loud a number of times! Now to see if I can track down the rest of the series again, since they now seem to be out of print....
August 7, 2017
Loved it as child, the humor was just right for me. Sadly, when I re-read it this year, it did not hold up. However, I decided to grade this book on my enjoyment of it as a kid, because, after all, it's a children's book.
(Also, is it just me, or was Jack's elusive talent obviously training animals? Am I the only one who thinks this?)
(Also, is it just me, or was Jack's elusive talent obviously training animals? Am I the only one who thinks this?)
July 29, 2010
First in the Bagthorpe Saga series. Jack is frustrated by his ultra-talented and boastful siblings. Prompted by his sympathetic uncle he embarks on a new career... calamities ensure, as is the norm in the chaotic Bagthorpe household. Fast-paced and well-written.
August 19, 2016
I love these so much. I've read the first four all four times each, including aloud to my daughter. it seemed to be a lesser known series in the US, which is too bad. the language is pretty sophisticated and the books are HILARIOUS. the characters are fantastic.
July 16, 2015
I love these books! Jack wants to be multi-talented, like his boastful siblings, and his uncle, who gets a bit fed up with the whole family (except his poetic wife and his eccentric daughter), decides to help.
August 9, 2016
Just found and revisited this childhood favourite. Still delivers the laughs. When it starts with a family birthday party being set on fire, you know what you're in for. The emphasis hasn't yet moved from Jack onto the whole family, but it's still a great start to a classic series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews