Scan barcode
jaydehawk's review against another edition
3.0
This made for a pleasant bit of light reading, but I doubt I'll want to read it again. The story, while having some nice ideas, felt a bit contrived. It did make me smile occasionally and Kirby's cover is a delight to behold.
bluechew's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
achubb's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
trin's review against another edition
2.0
British comic fantasy that really pales in comparison to the [a: Terry Pratchett|1654|Terry Pratchett|http://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1235562205p2/1654.jpg] I’ve been reading lately. To start with, it’s just not that funny—the plot revolves around a lot of aspects of forced wackiness, such as bad smells and accountants, that really don’t do much for me, and at best the writing achieves a sort of affable Englishness which is pleasant, but hardly uproarious. It would work if the core of the book were meatier, but it isn’t. Pratchett is so impressive because, at his best, he’s not only funny, his books mean something—he addresses real-world issues through a fantastical setting and a lot of sharp satire. In Holt’s book, however, the Flying Dutchman and his situation aren’t representative of anything but themselves. I’m not saying everything I read needs to be OMG STEEPED IN METAPHOR AND SYMBOLISM!—but, you know, a little depth wouldn’t hurt.
Better jokes would be good, too.
Better jokes would be good, too.
bookgurl666's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED this book! so funny, amazing characters. loved the plot and how it included so much history so casually. great author i’ll keep an eye out for at the used book shop.
dana_naylor's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.75
Reminiscent of Douglas Adams in terms of ridiculous British humor. Fun.
laterry75's review against another edition
3.0
There are perils associated with immortality, but a horrible reeking stink was not one I expected. Still, that's the cost of living forever for the crew of the Flying Dutchmen. For all but one week every seven years, they smell so bad that they stay at sea.
A junior accountant who is sent on a routine audit starts to dig at some old accounts, which leads to Old World economic conspiracies, the quiet inventor of every piece of significant technology since the 1400s (who was only looking for a good deodorant), and ratings-hungry BBC television producers chasing the scoop of the century. Also, a nuclear power plant blows up in Scotland. Good stuff all around.
A junior accountant who is sent on a routine audit starts to dig at some old accounts, which leads to Old World economic conspiracies, the quiet inventor of every piece of significant technology since the 1400s (who was only looking for a good deodorant), and ratings-hungry BBC television producers chasing the scoop of the century. Also, a nuclear power plant blows up in Scotland. Good stuff all around.