Borribles Across the Dark Metropolis [Paperback]

Michael de Larrabeiti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1988

What is a Borrible?
Borribles are runaways who dwell in the shadows of London. Apart from their pointed ears, they look just like ordinary children. They live by their wits and a few Borrible laws—the chief one being, Don’t Get Caught! The Borribles are outcasts—but they wouldn’t have it any other way….

The Borribles: Across the Dark Metropolis
Battersea was no longer safe for a Borrible. The Special Borrible Group—a secret section of the London police dedicated to finding Borribles and clipping their ears—was closing in. Driven on by the fanatical Inspector Sussworth, the SBG was determined to wipe them out once and for all. It was time to break out, escort Sam the horse to safety in Neasden, then return to the old Borrible life of independence and freedom. So began a perilous trek across the dark metropolis—a journey that would test the courage and cunning of the Adventurers to the limits.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The offspring of a singular imagination.”—The New York Times on The Borribles Trilogy

“A modern epic. It’s a brilliant invention.”—Publishers Weekly on The Borribles Trilogy

“Projects a gripping story through slam-bang action.”—The Los Angeles Times on The Borribles Trilogy

“A strong and vivid fantasy, much recommended.”—The Observer on The Borribles Trilogy

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

About the Author

Michael de Larrabeiti was brought up in Battersea. He is the author of two more books about the Borribles--The Borribles and The Borribles Go For Broke--as well as many other books. He has three grown-up daughters and lives with his wife in Oxfordshire.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 306 pages
• Publisher: Ace (March 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441003117
• ISBN-13: 978-0441003112
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,263,922 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AT LAST! GOOD NEWS, September 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Borribles Across the Dark Metropolis (Paperback)

According to the Borrible website, The Borrible Trilogy is to be reprinted in the summer of 2002! The fans have been heard!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rousing Cheer For The Borribles!, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Borribles Across the Dark Metropolis (Paperback)

After stumbling across 'The Borribles' while browsing a local book store, I found these adventuresome little people so interesting I read it twice and wished the imaginative author, Michael De Larrabeiti, would write a sequel.

When I happened across 'The Borribles Go For Broke' a few years later, I was again enthralled by these captivating hooligans.

It was not until over a decade later that I discovered 'The Borribles: Across The Dark Metropolis' while prowling the internet. After obtaining an out-of-print copy of this third borrible book, I was soon engrossed in their latest adventure.

Through the soot and grime of a London that tourists never see, the borribles attempt to lead Sam, the horse, to Neasdon where it could live in peace. During the exhausting journey through old buildings and junk yards the compact crew are forced to dodge the likes of Inspector Sussworth, a dapper power monger, and the obnoxious Sgt. Hanks. The determined little people persevere even when they encounter the dregs of society such as the so-called "meffos" who worship alcohol and drugs. Through it all the band of borribles trudge on to their distant destination.

If anyone has any biographical information on Michael De Larrabeiti, I would appreciate it if you would enlighten me. All I know about this British author is that he was born in 1937 and there was some controversy over releasing 'The Borribles: Across The Dark Metropolis' in hard cover.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Borribles Trilogy, June 24, 2002

By 

S. C. Davis (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Borribles Across the Dark Metropolis (Paperback)

It's really weird ... for the last few months, I'd been remembering bits of the "Borribles" though I couldn't remember what they were actually called or who the author was. It was driving me mad, I remembered reading these 2 books (the first 2 in the trilogy) about fifteen years ago, and all of a sudden the stories came back to me and I couldn't remember enough to find out who had written them or what they were called ... after months of trawling through second hand bookshops and Amazon, I walked into the local shop and discovered - to my immense and somewhat stunned delight - that all 3 had been reprinted in one volume. Needless to say I purchased it on the spot .. about a week ago. I've now reread it all and THEY'RE AMAZING. Forget the lord of the rings, harry potter, forget dickens, forget shakespere, Mr de Larrabeiti is a writer of no small talent. Across the Dark Metropolis is the conclusion of the trilogy and better than the first two... not that they were bad, at all. Each just gets better. I'd almost wish for a fourth but I think that would spoil the beauty of them, one follows so well onto the next, yet each is stand alone. I can't praise them highly enough: I've got a stack of books, historical, fantasy, murder mystery, all waiting to be read, and they jumped the whole queue. My memories of these books weren't wrong. If you haven't already, go out and buy them yourself.
Steve