Customer Reviews

Brendon Chase

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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This story is set in 1930s England, and concerns 3 teenage boys who run away from home and live wild in a huge local forest to avoid having to go back to school (hence the title, with a 'Chase' being an old English name for forest). They live off the land by eating fish, wild animals that they trap or shoot, and nuts and berries. They get up to lots of interesting adventures, and meet some curious characters, and of course the police are after them continuously. There are parallels with Thoreau's Walden I suppose, and some 'coming of age' issues as the boys reflect upon the life they are missing. The author, 'BB', was a keen naturalist, as is obvious from the text, with lots of references to the beauty of wild animals and the natural world. The book is very well written, with some very poignant passages that still stick in my mind to this day.
The book is intended for children up to the age of 16 I suppose, but could be enjoyed by all ages really, and I think there is a deeper message.

I have to be honest and say that this is my favourite book of all time, so my review is biased. I first read it when young and now reread it when I am feeling down. It is slightly Tolkein-esque in that in nostalgically describes a rural England that no longer exists, and it makes me think about my old childhood (or at least the childhood I wanted to have). I wouldn't pay 70 dollars for it, but if you can get this for 10 dollars then it could be on of the best buys you ever make, particularly if, like me, you are an ex-pat.

My then 8 year old son read The Little Grey Men by this author. We then went on a mad hunt for the sequel. A friend went to England and was able to get it there. She also brought back Brendan Chase. My son was 9 when he read and absolutely fell in love with this book. So much so that I had to read it. I also loved it! We cherish our copy and will read it forever.

Brendon Chase was my favorite book as child. I have no idea how many times I read it, but enough to make the cover fall off. I look forward to having my kids read it as well.

I was never required to read BB in school, and although I read some decent stuff, this was a real gem. My kids' teachers have never heard of the author, and the pen name does little to help anyone find him in a search engine. But it is worth finding, and reading about.