Terrible Times

The whole Eddie Dickens series is fabulous. I enjoy reading it to my wife and son (7) on an evening. My son goes on to read it himself after we have finished one. Start from the beginning with Awful End and go from there. 5* to Philip Ardgh and his rather odd sense of humour :)

As the final book in his Eddie Dickens trilogy, Philip Ardagh has made "Terrible Times" a fitting end. The mishaps and adventures of Eddie Dickens began in the first book when he was mistaken for an orphan. The general whackiness that began the series is ever-present in the third and final installment. In "Terrible Times" Eddie finds out that he is supposed to go to America to see what is wrong with the family's newspaper known as the 'Terrible Times'. Eddie never makes it to America because his adventures at sea include a traveling companion whose previous employers have all died and left all their money to her. What could she possibly have planned for Eddie on their fateful voyage? Philip Ardagh has a sharp and ready wit. The story is quickly paced in spit of all the wanderings off course. Yet some of the novelty has worn off by the third book, especially since some of his shtick is a take off of Lemony Snicket's style. Still it is a light-hearted and enjoyable read that will make the reader laugh.

Terrible Times is Book 3 of the 'Eddie Dickens Trilogy' and requires familiarity with the past plots, but will nonetheless delight fans who have enjoyed the story of hero Eddie, who now finds himself en route to North America aboard the sail ship The Pompous Pig. Zany misfortunes and disreputable traveling companions abound with mystery and an involving, lively plot.

Philip Ardagh is one author who knows precisely how to grab the attention of young readers and never let it go. He's wry, humorous, and incomparable. Attesting to his winning ways is the popularity of the first two books in his Eddie Dickens Trilogy: "A House Called Awful End" and "Dreadful Acts." Now comes "Terrible Times" read by the immensely talented Martin Rayner. Expressing surprise at the success of these books Mr. Ardagh relates that their genesis is found in letters that he wrote to a nephew at boarding school. Whatever the case, they're gems and, in this reviewer's estimation will be enjoyed by generations of young people. North America is the destination of Eddie, the young protagonist, in "Terrible Times." He finds himself aboard a sailing ship carrying an unlikely cargo - countless left shoes. The unforgettable Dog's Bone Diamond has also booked passage, along with a gaggle of shipmates who should be forced to walk planks. As if that weren't enough, of course, there's a stowaway. Before long the hapless Eddie is set adrift in a leaky rowboat. Chances are slim that he can backstroke all the way to America. What's to become of him now?

Philip Ardagh is one author who knows precisely how to grab the attention of young readers and never let it go. He's wry, humorous, and incomparable. Attesting to his winning ways is the popularity of the first two books in his Eddie Dickens Trilogy: "A House Called Awful End" and "Dreadful Acts." Now comes "Terrible Times" read by the immensely talented Martin Rayner. Expressing surprise at the success of these books Mr. Ardagh relates that their genesis is found in letters that he wrote to a nephew at boarding school. Whatever the case, they're gems and, in this reviewer's estimation will be enjoyed by generations of young people. North America is the destination of Eddie, the young protagonist, in "Terrible Times." He finds himself aboard a sailing ship carrying an unlikely cargo - countless left shoes. The unforgettable Dog's Bone Diamond has also booked passage, along with a gaggle of shipmates who should be forced to walk planks. As if that weren't enough, of course, there's a stowaway. Before long the hapless Eddie is set adrift in a leaky rowboat. Chances are slim that he can backstroke all the way to America. What's to become of him now? - Gail Cooke