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The Fall of Fergal: The First Unlikely Exploit

Name: The Fall of Fergal: The First Unlikely Exploit
Author: Philip Ardagh, David Roberts
ISBN: 9780439730143

by Philip Ardagh, David Roberts

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Overview

This "completely off-the-wall" new trilogy from the author of A HOUSE CALLED AWFUL END is "steeped in black humor" and "destined to win the hearts and minds of eager young readers" (The Scotsman).

In the first of Philip Ardagh's darkly hilarious Unlikely Exploits, the McNally children find themselves at The Dell Hotel, the venue for the final of the Tap 'n' Type typing competition, surrounded by a strange assortment of characters ranging from Twinkle-Toes Tweedy, the house detective, to Mr. Peach, a ventriloquest with a conveniently large mustache. With young Fergal McNally falling to his death on page one, the only way for the McNallys is up...

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

"The novel begins with Fergal's catastrophic fall from the 14th floor of the Dell Hotel," wrote PW. "The tragic event around which the novel revolves provides plenty of black comedy to keep readers entertained." Ages 8-12. (Aug.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature

Bizarre, offbeat and sad are just a few words that describe this narrative. The story opens with young Fergal McNally falling from a fourteenth floor hotel window to his death. What was Fergal doing in a hotel room and why was he leaning out the window? One of Fergal's sisters, Le Fay, was a finalist in the Tap 'n' Type typing competition and her four supportive siblings accompanied her. The scheme was to sneak the siblings into Le Fay's single occupancy hotel room. The plan was a success and the McNally's were able to enjoy such luxuries as having their own spot to sleep as well as running water. While celebrating Le Fay's Tap 'n' Type win, there came a knock at the hotel door. When the house detective announced himself, the McNally children panicked and Fergal fell. Children will be entertained when Ardagh occasionally steps away from his storytelling role and talks to the reader. For those who appreciate the author's unique sense of humor and writing style, Ardagh plans to write two additional books in this "Unlikely Exploits" series. 2005 (orig. 2002), Scholastic, Ages 8 to 12.
—Mary Jo Edwards