Gideon Defoe – The Pirates! In an Adventure with Whaling

Title: The Pirates! In an Adventure with Whaling
Author: Gideon Defoe
ISBN # 0297849018
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicholson (Orion Books)
First Published: 2005
152 pages
Format: Hardback
Rating: 8/10

Synopsis:
Since she sailed away after the pirates' adventure with scientists, the pirates' boat has been somewhat battered by the rigours of ocean life. Her mast keeps collapsing, her wheel has broken off and several of the pirates have ended up with nasty splinters. Realising his paintings can only cover up the leaks for so long, the Pirate Captain decides he must pay a visit to Cutlass Liz's boat yard (Liz is 'famed for having the best face on the entire eastern seaboard') and trade his ship in for a newer model. Dazzled by the swan-lined curtains and tennis courts of 'The Lovely Emma', and frankly, by Cutlass Liz's lovely face, the Pirate Captain makes a rash decision and finds himself with a debt of six thousand doubloons, and very little time in which to pay it before the sands of Liz's hourglass run out and he and his crew are gutted like fish. And so the Pirates set forth on a courageous voyage and a desperate quest for some ready cash. Their adventure will take them from the Florida Keys to the bright lights of Las Vegas, to the ends of the earth in search of a mythical white whale, and even, perhaps into the dark depths of madness. But hopefully, they'll be home in time for tea.

Review:
If anyone ever needs a good giggle to cheer them up, all they need to do is pick up one of Gideon Defoe's books! They're all short - The Pirates! In an Adventure with Whaling is only 152 pages long, but it's incredibly funny and packed with such mad-cap characters as "The Albino Pirate", "The Pirate in Green", "The Scarf-Wearing Pirate" and, of course, "The Pirate Captain" himself! This time they meet up with Captain Ahab and go chasing after the great white whale (via Nantucket and Las Vegas) to repay a debt to the horrid Cutlass Liz. High-jinks on the high seas have never been so hilarious!

From all accounts, Defoe started writing his Pirates! books in order to impress a girl. I may not be the one he intended to impress, but impressed I am! This little book is the perfect gift for a friend who could do with a smile.