Moonfleet

‘Moonfleet’ was recommended to me as a pleasant reminder of Black Sails, absolutely the best TV series about pirates and one of my all-time favourite shows. Although Black Sails is ostensibly a prequel to [b:Treasure Island|295|Treasure Island|Robert Louis Stevenson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485248909s/295.jpg|3077988], I preferred ‘Moonfleet’ and felt it was closer in spirit to Black Sails. While both [b:Treasure Island|295|Treasure Island|Robert Louis Stevenson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485248909s/295.jpg|3077988] and ‘Moonfleet’ are narrated by a teenage boy, John Trenchard the narrator of ‘Moonfleet’ is a great deal more sympathetic. Largely because he is less inclined to murder, while also having show more a flexible enough morality to be comfortable with smuggling, burglary, and white lies. The tale concerns smugglers rather than pirates per se, however it has a similar plot full of adventure on the high seas and treasure-hunting. An unfortunate moment of antisemitism aside, it has aged well. I liked the bonds of found family, the condemnation of inequality, and the wonderfully atmospheric writing. I’ve been to Dorset and visited some of the places mentioned (Swanage, Corfe Castle), which added to the appeal. Falkner evokes a wonderful sense of place; the village of Moonfleet is vividly drawn. This is an exciting adventure story with a core of anti-establishment subversion - the real villain is the rich for not sharing their wealth. Satisfyingly, they get their comeuppance.

Although our hero settles down comfortably at the end, I don’t think that negates his previous rebellious behaviour. Especially as his wife is totally comfortable with it. ‘Moonfleet’ is also more emotionally powerful than [b:Treasure Island|295|Treasure Island|Robert Louis Stevenson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485248909s/295.jpg|3077988]. The wonderfully named Elzevir Block’s adoption of John recalls Valjean’s relationship with Cosette in [b:Les Misérables|24280|Les Misérables|Victor Hugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1525303092s/24280.jpg|3208463]. I was genuinely moved when Elzevir sacrifices himself to save John, even though I saw it coming. And all the business with the diamond is thrilling; the whole thing could make an excellent film. Overall, I had a great time reading ‘Moonfleet’ and was pleasantly reminded of my beloved pirates. show less

I have fond memories from School of this book and although it was one of the books I was forced to read it still ranks as one of the best books I have read and so from memory I gave it 4 stars. I have just re-read it and have reconsidered my rating. It now gets 5 stars! An absolute page turning delight, still as exciting now as it was then. I guess the repeated and rather heavy handed signposting about evil spirits from evil deeds clinging to a certain something jars a little but it is a very, very small criticism of an otherwise hugely enjoyable book and definitely goes on my “books I will read to my children whether they like it or not” list that I am slowly compiling in my head just in case that happy event ever happens!

El primer libro de la serie de Aventuras de la editorial Zenda donde Arturo Perez Reverte re-edita clasicos de aventuras olvidados.

Entiendo lo que le gusta a Perez Reverte de este libro. Es una aventura a pie, a barco, de gente normal, gente humilde, donde el protagonista tiene que superar el miedo a la oscuridad, a los cadaveres y a las alturas por ejemplo. No hay superpoderes, no hay grandes efectos, no hay grandes heroes. Cometiendo errores a veces, haciendolo mejor otras en una aventura donde la avaricia, el dolor, el arrepentimiento, la amistad y el amor se mezclan en una mezcla muy humana.

Me ha gustado como el autor nos explica porque el protagonista es capaz de hacer ciertas cosas. Por ejemplo, en un momento para intentar show more distraer su mente y mirada se fija en varios detalles de un jardin, lo que luego se usa para que el protagonista tenga la confianza de haber visto algo en concreto.

Las descripciones son perfectas. Es increible como en el mundo actual, aun da aprensión leer la descripcion de armas de fuego de hace 200 años. O las tormentas, un mundo en el que unos kilometros de distancia o un cambio en el tiempo era la diferencia entre la vida y la muerte. show less

We spent a weekend in Moonfleet a few weeks ago - which is nice because I probably would never have read this otherwise. It's been sat on the bookshelf ever since I got a bit too keen on Penguin Classics when they came out and bought all sorts of things I haven't yet read. To be honest the blurb didn't really do this justice and I thought it looked a bit dull. The writing style was quite fluid and it was an easy read. I liked the character progression and the way the lead characters aged and developed. It was a bit frustrating that Falkner often wrote sentences like "I won't go in to that to much now but...". Used sparsely it's a good way to get the reader's imagination going but when overused it was a bit annoying. Overall though show more really enjoyed it and liked the descriptions of that part of Chesil Beach. show less

As one of my All Time Favourites, Moonfleet is one I am sure I could read again and again without ever becoming tired of it. I have a strong emotional tie to the book, even if it isn't one of the more famous ones I've read. Falkner weaves an amazing story and Elzevir is an unequalled character, if only for the personal significance I've had for him since childhood. It's suspenseful, adventurous, and deeply moving. I love this book.

El primer libro de la serie de Aventuras de la editorial Zenda donde Arturo Perez Reverte re-edita clasicos de aventuras olvidados.

Entiendo lo que le gusta a Perez Reverte de este libro. Es una aventura a pie, a barco, de gente normal, gente humilde, donde el protagonista tiene que superar el miedo a la oscuridad, a los cadaveres y a las alturas por ejemplo. No hay superpoderes, no hay grandes efectos, no hay grandes heroes. Cometiendo errores a veces, haciendolo mejor otras en una aventura donde la avaricia, el dolor, el arrepentimiento, la amistad y el amor se mezclan en una mezcla muy humana.

Me ha gustado como el autor nos explica porque el protagonista es capaz de hacer ciertas cosas. Por ejemplo, en un momento para intentar show more distraer su mente y mirada se fija en varios detalles de un jardin, lo que luego se usa para que el protagonista tenga la confianza de haber visto algo en concreto.

Las descripciones son perfectas. Es increible como en el mundo actual, aun da aprensión leer la descripcion de armas de fuego de hace 200 años. O las tormentas, un mundo en el que unos kilometros de distancia o un cambio en el tiempo era la diferencia entre la vida y la muerte. show less

This is one of the lesser-known classics of the late 19th century and suffers somewhat from being often regarded as primarily a children's book with little to offer the adult reader.

Even if that were true it is still an engrossing story. In practice it is more than just that, running together the stories of the young, impulsive and thoughtless narrator John Trenchard and the older, enigmatic and ultimately Christ-like Elzevir Block who allows himself to be carried along on the tide Trenchard's immature fancies and greed.

This one deserves to be more widely read that it is.