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The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Blue Bear Hardcover – October 20, 2005

by Walter Moers (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 701 ratings
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"A bluebear has twenty-seven lives. I shall recount thirteen and a half of them in this book but keep quiet about the rest," says the narrator of Walter Moers’s epic adventure. "What about the Minipirates? What about the Hobgoblins, the Spiderwitch, the Babbling Billows, the Troglotroll, the Mountain Maggot…Mine is a tale of mortal danger and eternal love, of hair’s breadth, last-minute escapes." Welcome to the fantastic world of Zamonia, populated by all manner of extraordinary characters. It’s a land of imaginative lunacy and supreme adventure, wicked satire and epic fantasy, all mixed together, turned on its head, and lavishly illustrated by the author.
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  1. Book 1 of 5
    Zamonia
  2. Print length
    704 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    The Overlook Press
  5. Publication date
    October 20, 2005
  6. Dimensions
    5 x 1 x 8 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1585677248
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1585677245
  9. See all details
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Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Nine-lived cats have nothing on the "bluebear," who, according to German author and illustrator Moers, has a whopping 27 lives. In this inventive, zany, fun-for-all ages odyssey (a bestseller in Europe), an intrepid "seagoing bear" offers his "demibiography." A foundling floating in a nutshell on the Zamonian Sea, the azure-furred Bluebear is rescued by Minipirates, impish nautical geniuses, who raise him and then, after he gets too big, abandon him to live out 13 lifetimes of adventure populated by a dizzying array of eccentric characters. Among them, two argumentative waves known as the "Babbling Billows" teach Bluebear speech, sage dinosaur Mac (real name: Deus X. Machina) extends friendship and Professor Abdullah Nightingale at the Nocturnal Academy offers a particularly intense and wacky education. Even readers with short attention spans will find themselves captivated by the nonstop parade of madcap characters as treacherous predicaments resolve themselves with charming ease. Magnificent sugarstorms, tornadoes inhabited by old men and "dimensional hiatuses" propel the independent, indefatigable Bluebear to Atlantis, where he must demonstrate the relevance of his experiences in a psychological duel of sorts. Comparisons to Harry Potter aside, Moers's kaleidoscopic expedition is fanciful and endlessly entertaining. 136 b&w illus.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School–This novel opens with the title character's first memory: as a cub floating in the ocean with a nutshell for a life raft, he heads straight for a giant whirlpool threatening to suck him down. After he's rescued by a boatload of Lilliputian pirates, Bluebear enters into a life (or 13½ lifetimes) filled with humor and adventure. Each life has a different challenge to overcome, pitting him against the likes of headless giants and storytelling contests. The book is one part Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth and two parts Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Each adventure mixes fantasy, science fiction, and fables in a satirical cocktail that readers can't help but gulp down. The quirky writing is definitely strong enough to carry itself, but Moers includes several black-and-white illustrations that enhance the whimsy. With so many little side trips in Bluebear's narrative, the story might frustrate those who prefer straight-line plots. But this is the kind of tale that readers have to just sit back and enjoy, wherever it takes them. The ending does tie the loose threads together. A wild, fun-filled ride.–Matthew L. Moffett, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Overlook Press; First American Edition (October 20, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 704 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1585677248
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1585677245
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.22 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 1 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 701 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
701 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the visuals beautifully imagined. They also describe the plot as imaginative, funny, interesting, and exciting. Customers say the book is great to read to a child and the stories are ageless. They find the book wonderful and fun. However, some find the writing repetitive and long. Opinions are mixed on the complexity, with some finding it complex enough to keep their attention and simple enough to restore it, while others say the vocabulary is too difficult for their smart 4th grader.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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PlotEnjoymentVisualsReadershipCharactersComplexityWriting style
36 customers mention "Plot"31 positive5 negative

Customers find the plot imaginative, interesting, and funny. They also appreciate the twists and turns.

"...The story is full of twists and turns and unexpected events, some sections are totally nonsensical, OK, all sections are nonsensical with enough..." Read more

"This book is very clever and well written. I’ve read all of this authors’ books" Read more

"...In the end, “Bluebear” is a unique fantasy that’s definitely NOT average as it’s brimming with oddness and discovery from every page...." Read more

"I can not say enough about this wildly creative and incredibly entertaining adventure about the first thirteen and a half lives of Bluebear...." Read more

26 customers mention "Enjoyment"26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book wonderful, fun, and hilarious. They also say it's perfect as a bedtime story for kids and adults, and super adventurous.

"...It's very difficult for me to find books that are entertaining and challenging, but context appropriate for a 7th grader and not written in old..." Read more

"I can not say enough about this wildly creative and incredibly entertaining adventure about the first thirteen and a half lives of Bluebear...." Read more

"...But the story is a lot of fun. The kids listen intently and the adults love the silliness and twists and turns." Read more

"...For a first-time reader, it's just fun, but as it was my second time, I noticed just how much description of just everything there were, and I..." Read more

17 customers mention "Visuals"14 positive3 negative

Customers find the visuals of the book beautifully imagined and appreciate the great color combo on the cover.

"...bat, it’s an outlandish and bizarrely furry fantasy that never stops being so colorful...." Read more

"...i recommend this book to everyone i meet. the world building, drawings, dialogue, characters…flawless. i seriously cannot recommend this book enough." Read more

"...The illustrations in the book are also very fitting. I would highly recommend reading this book, similarities to the Hitchikers series." Read more

"I loved this story. It made me laugh, and oh so cute. What an adventure! Most lives were a hit, but a couple were a miss...." Read more

12 customers mention "Readership"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book great to read to a child, challenging, and context appropriate for a 7th grader. They also say the kids listen intently and the adults love the silliness and twists and turns. Readers also mention that the stories are ageless.

"...It is an adult book, not a children's book, but the stories are ageless. I think most people from teenager up will find book entertaining...." Read more

"...But the story is a lot of fun. The kids listen intently and the adults love the silliness and twists and turns." Read more

"...One compliment I give is that this would be an excellent read-aloud book for kids..." Read more

"...It's very wacky and certain children will love it. Especially those with a large vocabulary...." Read more

3 customers mention "Characters"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book flawless.

"...the world building, drawings, dialogue, characters…flawless. i seriously cannot recommend this book enough." Read more

"...The books characters have some many different voices and the man that narrates it is BOSS!!!..." Read more

"...Witty and insightful lunacy. Tremendous character. You will laugh your face off." Read more

18 customers mention "Complexity"12 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the complexity of the book. Some find the words specific and correct, while others say the vocabulary is too difficult for their smart 4th grader.

"This book is very clever and well written. I’ve read all of this authors’ books" Read more

"...I found the words to be very specific and correct to their usage. The few I looked up, fit in perfectly as well...." Read more

"We read this as a family. Vocabulary is tough so wouldn’t suggest for young readers. But the story is a lot of fun...." Read more

"...And its complex enough that the adult reader might enjoy it also - but not me." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing style"0 positive7 negative

Customers find the writing style repetitive, convoluted, and boring. They also mention that the plot is good but the constant soliloquys and tedious descriptions make the book tedious.

"...is full of twists and turns and unexpected events, some sections are totally nonsensical, OK, all sections are nonsensical with enough suspense and..." Read more

"...There's not a lot of overarching plot, that I've discovered yet, he's not going to save the universe from bad guys, I don't expect there to be any..." Read more

"...And that just isn't me. It's far to nonsensical for my tastes...." Read more

"...It's like Tolstoy for children. The plot is good but the constant soliloquys, tedious descriptions, and lists of nonsense could all easily be..." Read more

Filthy cover
1 out of 5 stars
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Unfortunately, this book is NOT in a "Very Good" condition. Food splattered all over and sticky residue!
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Top reviews from the United States

MommyTiger
5.0 out of 5 stars Good wholesome silliness and adventure
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2014
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My son loves to read and is reading at a level far above his age. Our school requires reading difficulty (word and sentence complexity) to be challenging, based on Lexile score, in order for books to count toward class credit. It's very difficult for me to find books that are entertaining and challenging, but context appropriate for a 7th grader and not written in old English. I stumbled onto this book on a book suggestion list that was posted by a mom in a similar situation, so I picked it up for his Christmas present. He just finished reading it and he had a wonderful time; I had a wonderful time hearing the recap of his day's reading nightly. The story is full of twists and turns and unexpected events, some sections are totally nonsensical, OK, all sections are nonsensical with enough suspense and predictability to have you waiting for the inevitable to happen (just not the way you expected). Most nights for the last couple of weeks had him rushing to finish another chapter before bed. I'm getting the next book by Moers for him to read as well.

It is an adult book, not a children's book, but the stories are ageless. I think most people from teenager up will find book entertaining. Not a book for realist or people who do not like to laugh.
12 people found this helpful
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Carol
5.0 out of 5 stars Not for toddlers
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2023
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This book is very clever and well written. I’ve read all of this authors’ books
2 people found this helpful
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Pema
5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite book
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
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Ive read this book more times than i can
count. Everytime i finish, i just go back to page one. I find it relaxing and i sleep to the audiobook. Its fantastic. 10/10.
4 people found this helpful
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Victor the Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear (My Kindle Review)
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2024
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“Captain Bluebear” is probably one of the most quirkiest and obtuse novels I’ve ever read, and even the most whimsical. In Moer’s novel, we follow the life of Bluebear’s through the half of his 27 lives as we see him meet many creatures and destinations that will also put him in very quirky situations.

Off the bat, it’s an outlandish and bizarrely furry fantasy that never stops being so colorful. Everything from its oddball protagonist, the endless number of creatures and places in Zamonia and the story’s philosophical tone adds a more fascinating side to it all. There’s a mix of elements similar to others found in “Hitchhiker’s Guide”, “Gulliver’s Travels”, “Adventure Time” and the works of Roald Dahl. One slight flaw is that it’s a bit over stuffed once in a while.

In the end, “Bluebear” is a unique fantasy that’s definitely NOT average as it’s brimming with oddness and discovery from every page. Not cute but satisfyingly cuddly. <b>A- (91%/Excellent)</b>
3 people found this helpful
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Adam R. Callaway
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Adventure Ever!
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2009
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I can not say enough about this wildly creative and incredibly entertaining adventure about the first thirteen and a half lives of Bluebear. He starts by being raised by minipirates, then gets talk to speak by babbling billows, almost eaten by an island, and those are the tamer adventures of his.
It's also over seven hundred pages, so you can encase yourself in the warm prose (translated excellently by John Brownjohn) for days, although it probably won't take you that long.
For fans of a pure fun story, this is definitely the book you cannot afford to miss, or the next two books in the series for that matter.
One person found this helpful
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Margaret Weiland
5.0 out of 5 stars Grandson is into it!
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2023
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This book was a much longer book than I expected and my grandson at first wrinkled his eyebrows but then it went upstairs with him and that was the last we saw of him that evening. His younger brother wanted to look at the maps but no luck getting it away from big brother. A hit.
6 people found this helpful
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T D
5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpected Fun!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2020
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We read this as a family. Vocabulary is tough so wouldn’t suggest for young readers. But the story is a lot of fun. The kids listen intently and the adults love the silliness and twists and turns.
One person found this helpful
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G. McKay
3.0 out of 5 stars Mindless reading, but done whimsically. I've only finished half the book thus far.
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2022
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I enjoyed the language, was especially impressed at the word choices considering it was translated from German. There doesn't seem to be a plot, just a series of goofy stories, in a wildly creative universe. It's a lot of nonsense, but it's interesting nonsense.

I very much disagree with those who claim the vocabularly was selected from a Thesaurus. I found the words to be very specific and correct to their usage. The few I looked up, fit in perfectly as well. There was no Howard Cosell'isms where he got some slightly wrong.

I'm going to take a break from it, and read it in segments when I need a break from the world. It's not any kind of page turner, but it has some solid value for what it is. There's not a lot of overarching plot, that I've discovered yet, he's not going to save the universe from bad guys, I don't expect there to be any kind of tie in of plot lines, or resolution of anything. Just clever babbling.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Sortiz
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent condition
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2024
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Book arrived promptly and in excellent condition. It was second hand but looks like new. Thank you so much.
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Flora
5.0 out of 5 stars Mi favorito
Reviewed in Spain on March 22, 2021
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Mi libro favorito de infancia, aunque no me gusta mucho el papel de esta versión, que es fina y frágil, hay que apoyar los libros buenos
One person found this helpful
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Maryjane
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
Reviewed in India on February 8, 2020
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I got a second hand book, but since I personally prefer second hand books anyhow I didn't really mind.
The book itself is the craziest story I've ever read, has good doses of wildly imaginative adventures and just a bit of a thrill of buildup in each chapter/life. I bought this as a light and playful read, it's a good book for those who are looking for an almost childlike, whimsical read, like the first few Harry Potter books, but with a less serious plot story.
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Margherita Petrucco
5.0 out of 5 stars SPEEDY AND WHOLE!
Reviewed in Italy on December 4, 2018
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It's arrived perfectly on time and perfectly preserved. Thank you! RECOMMENDED!
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Habbo
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is godly
Reviewed in Germany on February 8, 2015
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This book is so awesome. I recommend it to all book lovers with a playful mind and a sense of humour.
This is ingenious.
There are illustrations in this book and they are very awesome, too. The book fromat is quite large. Bigger than expected and it has good quality.
One person found this helpful
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