Classic Adventures According to Spike Milligan

by Spike Milligan

Welcome to the world of the classic adventure story, hilariously retold by legendary comic Spike Milligan. Relive Robin Hood, in which Little John becomes Big Dick and the Merry Men are joined by Groucho Marx. Give yourself the willies with Frankenstein, whose monster comes to life craving a cigarette. Join Sherlock Holmes for The Hound of Baskervilles, where Guinness and Newcastle Brown are taken intravenously and a woman cries in the night. Thrill to Black Beauty as told by the horse himself. And the hunt for buried treasure with Long John Silver, Jim Hawkins and... Groucho Marx in Treasure Island.

Spike Milligan, the much-loved entertainer, broadcaster and writer, was widely regarded as the most influential British comedian since the Second World War. On his death in 2002, he was remembered as an 'irreverent and hysterical presence' by Prince Charles. Fellow comedian and writer Stephen Fry described Milligan's writing as 'absolutely immortal'.

Genres: Humor, Fiction, Comedy

400 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2002

About the author

Terence Alan Patrick Seán Milligan, known as Spike, was a comedian, writer and musician. He was of Irish descent, but spent most of his childhood in India and lived most of his later life in England, moving to Australia after retirement. He is famous for his work in The Goon Show, children's poetry and a series of comical autobiographical novels about his experiences serving in the British Army in WWII. Spike Milligan suffered from bipolar disorder, which led to depression and frequent breakdowns, but he will be remembered as a comic genius. His tombstone reads 'I told you I was ill' in Gaelic.

Reviews

[Dane Cobain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bit of a strange one to review, because it’s actually five different books bound together into one and I’d already read and reviewed two of them going in. Now, because I’m a completionist and I’m obsessed with ensuring that I’ve read every book by each of the authors that I decide to commit to, I have to review both this and the remainder of the books that were new to me.

So let’s see. Well, we start with Black Beauty, which isn’t a story that I’ve ever particularly connected with, although I have read it. I’ve just never liked stories with talking animals. Milligan’s take on it was a little more fun than the original, but still not my thing.

Then we have his take on Frankenstein, which was super fun, especially as a fan of the original. Milligan gave Frankenstein’s monster a ton of great dialogue, much of it including swearing, and I chuckled through the whole thing. It also got me wanting to re-read Frankenstein, which I’ll probably do at some point once I get the chance.

After that, we move on to the stories that were new to me, starting with The Hound of the Baskervilles. I’ve read that story so many times – including in French and as a personalised version where the names were changed to people I know – that I could match up all of the plot beats, and he poked fun at it in such a loving way that it’s hard to be mad at the guy.

Then there was Robin Hood, the only of these stories that I’ve never read in one form or another, although I tried it when I was a kid and got bored of it. Still, I knew enough of the Robin Hood legend to be able to appreciate it, and I thought that changing Little John to Big Dick was a decent touch.

And that leaves us with Treasure Island, a story I never particularly liked in its original form although the adaptations are pretty good. I would have liked Milligan’s take more if he hadn’t used the same joke four times, though.

All in all, it was pretty fun for a classics/Spike Milligan fan.

[Nick Warren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Whilst his autobiography Hitler: My Part in his Downfall is undoubtedly one of the funniest books I've ever read. This isn't.... Whilst initially mildly amusing the humour style is monotonous and I have to admit I DNF this book.

[Johnboy Somerville · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of 5 classic tales that have been given an update by the sadly missed comical genius.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The comic genius of Spike Milligan strikes again. This compilation is full of the magic that is as it says Classic.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading 20 pages I already know it is FUN.

Black Beauty was a beauty to read. For now I will read Frankenstein.