What do you think?
Rate this book
4 : Fantastic Novels
Four-fantastic-books-in-one by the popular author of The Hoboken Chicken
Borgel
Yobgorgle
The Worms of Kukumlima
The Snarkout Boys & the Baconburg Horror
Borgel
Yobgorgle
The Worms of Kukumlima
The Snarkout Boys & the Baconburg Horror
640 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
About the author
Daniel Pinkwater
132 books385 followersDaniel Manus Pinkwater is an author of mostly children's books and is an occasional commentator on National Public Radio. He attended Bard College. Well-known books include Lizard Music, The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death, Fat Men from Space, Borgel, and the picture book The Big Orange Splot. Pinkwater has also illustrated many of his books in the past, although for more recent works that task has passed to his wife Jill Pinkwater.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 15, 2010
This book is what inspired me to think of negative zero- lets just get that out of the way. Daniel Pinkwater is an incredible author with the ability to create ideas for stories that could never be thought of by anyone but himself. There are four novels in this rather large collection, however this project only requires the review for one novel. I have read three out of four (that I can remember) and my personal favorite is Borgel, the first.
Borgel is a story about a boy who lives in an apartment, living a rather average life. One day he is greeted at his door by an old man named Borgel who claims to be a distant relative. He is very secretive; Borgel, that is. He only lets people come in his room by invitation. One day the main character recieves an invitation to the room and is told by Borgel that he is setting sail. The main character (who's name isn't mentioned due to the first person writing style) decides to go along with him. they go on adventure in a car that travels through time, space, and the other, which can only be explained by a map of New Jersey and a bagel. Borgel eventually tells the main character that they are on a quest to find the giant popsicle- one unlike any other. So one night while resting in a trailer park hotel, they meet another popsicle afficianado who is en route to find the same thing. They find a clue as to where it is, but it appears to be a hoax at first, but ends up being very helpful in the next step of the project by giving them directions to a gorilla who can go to the island in which the popsicle is located. They have to travel through a two dimentional area and Hell (which is apparently just filled with used car lots. When they get to the island they start thinking that their friend is a monster in disguise. He is. before they can do anything he consumes the magic popsicle (which they found frolicking through a field) and is turned into a popsicle that is just as majestic as the last. Which is apparently very much so.
Borgel is well written and very humerus. It takes turns you never thought possible, and suprises you with every new twist of plot. Every chapter leaves you hungry for more, and stretches the imagination to the nth degree. It is an awesome book and I would recommend it to every person I know. I think I will.
Borgel is a story about a boy who lives in an apartment, living a rather average life. One day he is greeted at his door by an old man named Borgel who claims to be a distant relative. He is very secretive; Borgel, that is. He only lets people come in his room by invitation. One day the main character recieves an invitation to the room and is told by Borgel that he is setting sail. The main character (who's name isn't mentioned due to the first person writing style) decides to go along with him. they go on adventure in a car that travels through time, space, and the other, which can only be explained by a map of New Jersey and a bagel. Borgel eventually tells the main character that they are on a quest to find the giant popsicle- one unlike any other. So one night while resting in a trailer park hotel, they meet another popsicle afficianado who is en route to find the same thing. They find a clue as to where it is, but it appears to be a hoax at first, but ends up being very helpful in the next step of the project by giving them directions to a gorilla who can go to the island in which the popsicle is located. They have to travel through a two dimentional area and Hell (which is apparently just filled with used car lots. When they get to the island they start thinking that their friend is a monster in disguise. He is. before they can do anything he consumes the magic popsicle (which they found frolicking through a field) and is turned into a popsicle that is just as majestic as the last. Which is apparently very much so.
Borgel is well written and very humerus. It takes turns you never thought possible, and suprises you with every new twist of plot. Every chapter leaves you hungry for more, and stretches the imagination to the nth degree. It is an awesome book and I would recommend it to every person I know. I think I will.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2023
Such an original, this Daniel Pinkwater! All four novels in this collection are clearly for adults, not just kids. Particularly they're for folks with a sense of humor, intrepid imagination and, equally, a certain rebelliousness.
Here's a random quote, to give you the flavor. (From Page 207 of this paperback edition.)
"Well, it varies from year to year," Professor McFwain said. "For example, once he sold a nearly brand-new, last year's model car, super deluxe, with air conditioning, stereo, whitewall tires, and all sorts of extras for $27.95.
"The unusual part of the deal was that the car came with, as an extra that you were required to buy, a stuffed gorilla tied to the roof with rope."
Here's a random quote, to give you the flavor. (From Page 207 of this paperback edition.)
"Well, it varies from year to year," Professor McFwain said. "For example, once he sold a nearly brand-new, last year's model car, super deluxe, with air conditioning, stereo, whitewall tires, and all sorts of extras for $27.95.
"The unusual part of the deal was that the car came with, as an extra that you were required to buy, a stuffed gorilla tied to the roof with rope."
August 19, 2009
Borgel: B+
Yobgorgle: Mystery Monster of Lake Ontario: B
The Worms Of Kukumlima: B
The Snarkout Boys & The Baconburg Horror: A+ (In addition to being a fine sequel to one of Mr. Pinkwater's most well-crafted books, it contains the best parody of Beat poetry I've ever seen.)
Yobgorgle: Mystery Monster of Lake Ontario: B
The Worms Of Kukumlima: B
The Snarkout Boys & The Baconburg Horror: A+ (In addition to being a fine sequel to one of Mr. Pinkwater's most well-crafted books, it contains the best parody of Beat poetry I've ever seen.)
December 16, 2018
This is 4 in 1! More bang for your buck! I had never heard of Daniel Pinkwater but I found the novels funny and entertaining. Lots of tongue in cheek humor and funny names. He uses very improbable and silly situations. He has lots of weird characters who do weird things juxtaposed with characters who are your basic young and naive but smart kids.
March 2, 2009
someday, i hope to have an uncle borgel. or be one.
August 6, 2020
This a book of four novels by Mr. Pinkwater. Borgel, Yobgorgle, The Worms of Kukumlima and The Snarkout Boys & the Baconburg Horror. Each novel is funny and enjoyable. Yobgorgle is a monster searching story, the Snarkout is a werewolf story, Worms is an African adventure story and Borgel is a sci fi story.
These are early stories that are hard to find and the publishers put all four in one volume.
These are early stories that are hard to find and the publishers put all four in one volume.
September 3, 2021
Yes!!! Try reading these aloud with someone you love who likes to laugh.
March 27, 2022
Technically only read and discussed the second story with the grandchildren. Such fun & silliness to share.
Read
December 27, 2022slay
February 4, 2012
"Borgel" has the power to change lives. Daniel Pinkwater may be a demi-god, though this remains controversial in the most sophisticated circles. He has the multi-directionalily of Brahma, yet his outreach seems oddly hampered by the main stream culture. As in, his books may have limited runs. Fans beg for reprints. You must seek him out. If you have not met Pinkwater, or Borgel, you owe it to your inner ten-year-old. Take a chance. Take a ride on the Pinkwater train. http://www.pinkwater.com/
February 25, 2012
Along with the other collection, this book is a must own for teens, parents, teachers, librarians, and anyone who enjoys a good read (and laugh).
I can't say enough about how wonderful and humorous Pinkwater's work is. I can say that his characters have provided me with friends and confidants throughout my own youth (and young adulthood).
These are stand out books, and a great collection.
Borgel
Yobgorgle
The Worms of Kukumlima
The Snarkout Boys and the Baconburg Horror
I can't say enough about how wonderful and humorous Pinkwater's work is. I can say that his characters have provided me with friends and confidants throughout my own youth (and young adulthood).
These are stand out books, and a great collection.
Borgel
Yobgorgle
The Worms of Kukumlima
The Snarkout Boys and the Baconburg Horror
December 27, 2009
The problem with this collection is that three of the stories use the same plot device- going off with some relative on some bizarre adventure. Be it time tourism, monster hunting, or worm hunting. Usually they meet someone along the way who shifts the focus of the adventure. They were okay stories. The Snarkout story was fun though, didn't use that device.
March 20, 2010
I first discovered Daniel M. Pinkwater when our sons were boys and now get to introduce him to our grandchildren. But first I had to read, or reread, these novels. If you have no kids or have but have never read Pinkwater's stories, I urge you to do so. He sees the world through a very different lens than most of us, heavily bent by popular culture and weird humor.
November 30, 2008
These are young adult books that a friend just recommended to me. So far, lots of fun. I wasn't able to stick to these... a little to fantasy for my mood. I liked how he wove in quantum physics, though. Only read one of the four.
July 22, 2012
First and last books are classics. The second is maybe the weakest link, although still a lot of fun. It's hard to say which collection is better, this or 5 Novels. If you like Daniel Pinkwater, both are necessary.
February 14, 2008
"This is a terrific read-aloud book for a classroom or nightime. Funny, silly and doesn't take itself too seriously -- also known as a great read aloud!"
April 8, 2009
Borgel rocks.
December 1, 2009
This book is not often on the shelf for very long...
February 28, 2014
Borgle is one of the books my son and I have most enjoyed reading together. Ever.
Sadly we got bogged down in book 3 and set it aside. Still, this is a fun generation-crossing collection.
Sadly we got bogged down in book 3 and set it aside. Still, this is a fun generation-crossing collection.
June 24, 2012
The only book better in the world is 5 Novels by Pinkwater.
January 7, 2013
I read this four-book compendium when I was a boy and I loved it. I'd like to reread it some time.
Read
July 16, 2015Fiction P6554 2000
June 19, 2012
Daniel Pinkwater is wonderful as always!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews