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Fearless
Award-winning author Elvira Woodruff has written a harrowing novel about an eleven-year-old orphan boy on a stormy sea -- and the charming daredevil who befriends him in England in 1695.
When a storm brings down his father's boat, Digory Beale is forced to leave home to discover his fate. For if Digory has been orphaned, he can never go home again.
On his journey, Digory becomes the apprentice to Henry Winstanly, whose life's obsession is to save sailors' lives. Digory must face his fears of the sea to help Henry bring candles to the lighthouse he's built on a killer reef. But who could have known the force of a monster storm heading their way? In this poignant page-turner, Digory comes to understand the many facets of courage -- and what it means to be a true hero.
When a storm brings down his father's boat, Digory Beale is forced to leave home to discover his fate. For if Digory has been orphaned, he can never go home again.
On his journey, Digory becomes the apprentice to Henry Winstanly, whose life's obsession is to save sailors' lives. Digory must face his fears of the sea to help Henry bring candles to the lighthouse he's built on a killer reef. But who could have known the force of a monster storm heading their way? In this poignant page-turner, Digory comes to understand the many facets of courage -- and what it means to be a true hero.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2007
23 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Elvira Woodruff
32 books86 followersElvira Woodruff is an American children's author known for blending fantasy and history in her stories. Born in Somerville, New Jersey, she studied English literature at Adelphi and Boston University. Before becoming a writer, she worked a variety of jobs and later found inspiration while working as a librarian in Easton, Pennsylvania. Woodruff has published numerous children's books, including George Washington's Socks, The Memory Coat, and Dear Levi. Her work has been praised for its engaging storytelling and historical depth. Throughout her career, she has created imaginative, heartfelt stories that continue to captivate young readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
October 15, 2012
Fearless is a novel that takes place in 1703 in Cornwall, England. 11 year old Digory Beale and his younger brother Cubby live in a housw with their twelve cousins and their aunt. Digory's father, Nicholas Beale, is a sailor currently away on his ship, the Flying Cloud. When Digory recieves word that his father's ship had sunk, and Digory's aunt decides she is too poor to take care of him any longer, she sends him off to look for word of his father in the town of Plymouth. This employs the theme "Change vs Tradition" because Digory and other boys his age would normally be fishing for a living. "He should have taken a job on Jory's boat by now" (Woodruff 15). After making the perilous journey across to Plymouth, Digory and his brother Cubby who snuck along are seen as obviously poor and as bad people. This uses the theme "character vs Society" because people dont trust him and no one will help. "Thieving little vermin" (Woodruff 82) Another theme employed in two major places: "Love and Loss". When Digory arrives at Plymouth, he hears that his father is dead (lost love) and later at the end of the book when Henry Winstanley, a gadgeteer that has taken Digory and Cubby in, who Digory has grown to love, is killed in a tragic accident when a lighthouse off the coast goes down with Henry in it. Elisa Woodruff's use of language set a place and point of view for the reader, since she used words that are no longer used today, like "Aye" to mean "yes".
I think the book had a bittersweet ending, because even though Winstanley is dead, Digory is reunited with his father. I think the book had events happening too quickly in a row, without giving people much time to process what was happening. The sequence of events was interesting though, so this book earned four stars from me.
I think the book had a bittersweet ending, because even though Winstanley is dead, Digory is reunited with his father. I think the book had events happening too quickly in a row, without giving people much time to process what was happening. The sequence of events was interesting though, so this book earned four stars from me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2020
Amazing! I really loved this book because of the way Elvira put this and it's just amazing it sounded good it had good dialogue I loved it especially the parts where it goes quiet all of a sudden and then bursts out.
October 1, 2019
In 1695, the Eddystone Reef off the coast of Cornwall is called the "Widow Maker" with more than 50 ships wrecking on the rocks each year. When Digory's father is presumed lost at sea, Digory travels to Plymouth to inquire about any possible survivors from his ship, hoping to find his father alive. He becomes an apprentice to an eccentric inventor named Henry Winstanley, who is the architect of the new Eddystone Lighthouse.
I didn't even realize that this is historical fiction until the end, when I read the blurb about history at the end of the book. I was pleasantly surprised and it gave the story so much more depth and meaning. Henry Winstanley really did design and build the first offshore lighthouse on Eddystone Reef, saving thousands of sailors' lives each year.
I loved the writing style, the plot, the characters, and the wonderful themes of courage and family. The writing really draws the reader into this historic time and makes the setting feel immediate and real. The characters are colorful and interesting, and I really enjoyed the smart dialogue.
Digory is an excellent main character, filled with fear and anxiety at the beginning. Through the story, he ponders the meaning of courage, and wonders which is better- recklessness or caution, fear or bravery? I was so impressed with his character development, and his strong emotions that propel the story forward.
The only thing that bothered me were a few small references to other characters' point of view. The all-knowing narrator tells us the story from Digory's point of view, but there are a handful of comments about the internal feelings or thoughts of other characters. It's slightly annoying because it is inconsistent with the rest of the book, but not enough to ruin my enjoyment of the book.
The plot moves quickly and with a forcefulness that kept me in suspense. I especially loved the sense of wonderment throughout the book as Digory gazes in awe at beauty or destruction or whimsy around him. His reactions to the new world he discovers outside his little fishing village are what create a dynamic and energetic story.
I didn't even realize that this is historical fiction until the end, when I read the blurb about history at the end of the book. I was pleasantly surprised and it gave the story so much more depth and meaning. Henry Winstanley really did design and build the first offshore lighthouse on Eddystone Reef, saving thousands of sailors' lives each year.
I loved the writing style, the plot, the characters, and the wonderful themes of courage and family. The writing really draws the reader into this historic time and makes the setting feel immediate and real. The characters are colorful and interesting, and I really enjoyed the smart dialogue.
Digory is an excellent main character, filled with fear and anxiety at the beginning. Through the story, he ponders the meaning of courage, and wonders which is better- recklessness or caution, fear or bravery? I was so impressed with his character development, and his strong emotions that propel the story forward.
The only thing that bothered me were a few small references to other characters' point of view. The all-knowing narrator tells us the story from Digory's point of view, but there are a handful of comments about the internal feelings or thoughts of other characters. It's slightly annoying because it is inconsistent with the rest of the book, but not enough to ruin my enjoyment of the book.
The plot moves quickly and with a forcefulness that kept me in suspense. I especially loved the sense of wonderment throughout the book as Digory gazes in awe at beauty or destruction or whimsy around him. His reactions to the new world he discovers outside his little fishing village are what create a dynamic and energetic story.
August 3, 2012
Fearless is a book that attempts to tell three different stories all at the same time. While some novels succeed at weaving many stories into one, this book was unable to successfully tell even one story throughout the novel. The book began with the story of two young brothers searching for information about their father the sailor. Midway through the novel, the author switched gears and introduced a new character. This was the start of the second story, which was far more interesting than the first. The author told the story of Henry Winstanley, the great inventor and architect. This part read well, but never came to full fruition. As the second story started gaining momentum, the author switched avenues once again and started telling the story of the great storm that ravaged England in 1703. While the characters were still involved in the story, little depth was given to their descriptions. The plot was like a ship ride during a great storm. While the prose was good and introduced me to a lot of seafaring terminology and British slang from the time period, it wasn't enough to leave me with a warm feeling inside. Unlike her previous novel The Ravenmaster's Secret: Escape From The Tower Of London, this book lacked a lot for me. Despite my bleak opinion of the book, I would still recommend it to someone looking for a historical fiction book about England during the age of sail.
February 5, 2011
I do not like historical fiction. I did not like her other book that was on the SSYRA list a few years back. I went in thinking "Ick". I came out thinking "Wow!" What a great book with a vibrant main character, with a fascinating but true funhouse, solid events, and an ending that while surprising and non-Hollywood was apparently for the most part historically accurate.
I think this is one of the best historical fiction books I have read and that it will appeal, especially to boys but also to girls with its mixture of character, adventure and funny animal "quips".
My only quibble was why name the one character Master Death, as I thought briefly it was going an entirely different direction...
I think this is one of the best historical fiction books I have read and that it will appeal, especially to boys but also to girls with its mixture of character, adventure and funny animal "quips".
My only quibble was why name the one character Master Death, as I thought briefly it was going an entirely different direction...
February 24, 2021
Fearless is a moving story about a teenage boy and his little brother in the mid 1600’s. This book starts off with the two main characters Digory and Cubby in their aunt’s house. Their mother is dead and their father is away at sea, so their aunt is looking after them along with Digory and Cubby’s cousins. As you can imagine there was a lot of chaos in a house full of children. So their aunt sent Digory to go look for their father and said don’t bother coming back even if you don’t find him. So he set off... Cubby followed along of course.So they set off encountering many obstacles along the way. The end of this book is what you need to stay for,it ties the whole book together! Overall I would say that this is a great book!
May 19, 2020
Since this was a book for kids, I was able to skim through this in nearly one sitting. That being said, I was consistently surprised at the authenticity of it. Even though it lacked the emotional depth of books for an older audience, it did have nice emotional beats in it that wouldn't have overwhelmed a younger audience, and it had a lot of really nice historical details woven throughout. The dialogue? Top notch, the author did a really nice job capturing a bunch of different regional voices. I can tell by the long bibliography at the end that the author put a lot of time and effort into creating an immersive story for a young audience.
April 3, 2021
Fearless is a breezy, passable novel about a teenage boy attempting to get to the bottom of his father's unfortunate disappearance. Digory Beale's dad was supposedly on board a ship that struck dangerous shoals off the coast of England, an incident which Digory is led to believe cost him his life.
Fearless follows Digory's journey across the country to discover the truth about his whereabouts while all but preparing to be his own man in his dad's absence. Digory's mother is too overwhelmed with her younger children to care for him, and he is forced to come of age under these trying circumstances.
Digory runs across a quirky man named Henry Winstanly, and the older man takes Digory on as an apprentice at his majestic home in England. Henry is the creator of all sorts of magical inventions, and these add a sense of wonderment to the novel which would otherwise be lacking. His House of Wonder provides a respite from much of the stress Digory is being forced to endure.
It is revealed that Henry runs a lighthouse on the Eddystone Reef off the coast of Cornwall, and this happens to be the very spot where the ship carrying Henry's sailor dad supposedly went down. This connection leads to a twist that author Elvira Woodruff does a nice job of pulling off, putting Digory in position to solve the mystery of his father’s disappearance once and for all.
There are not many supporting characters, but Digory's younger brother Cubby is an affable addition to the story, playing the role of a dedicated but naïve sibling. Cubby’s interactions with his older brother show insight into how one junior family member can complement the other.
Fearless does not break any ground, but it is enjoyable and a so-so entry into the young adult fiction category.
-Andrew Canfield Denver, Colorado
Fearless follows Digory's journey across the country to discover the truth about his whereabouts while all but preparing to be his own man in his dad's absence. Digory's mother is too overwhelmed with her younger children to care for him, and he is forced to come of age under these trying circumstances.
Digory runs across a quirky man named Henry Winstanly, and the older man takes Digory on as an apprentice at his majestic home in England. Henry is the creator of all sorts of magical inventions, and these add a sense of wonderment to the novel which would otherwise be lacking. His House of Wonder provides a respite from much of the stress Digory is being forced to endure.
It is revealed that Henry runs a lighthouse on the Eddystone Reef off the coast of Cornwall, and this happens to be the very spot where the ship carrying Henry's sailor dad supposedly went down. This connection leads to a twist that author Elvira Woodruff does a nice job of pulling off, putting Digory in position to solve the mystery of his father’s disappearance once and for all.
There are not many supporting characters, but Digory's younger brother Cubby is an affable addition to the story, playing the role of a dedicated but naïve sibling. Cubby’s interactions with his older brother show insight into how one junior family member can complement the other.
Fearless does not break any ground, but it is enjoyable and a so-so entry into the young adult fiction category.
-Andrew Canfield Denver, Colorado
February 27, 2017
Plot: Main idea in this book is that in 1703 when a storm brought down the little boys fathers boat. Eleven year old Digory is set off all alone walking across the wilds of corn wall. He has to get somewhere safe. because his father is dead and he will never be going home ever again. The way his dad died was from a serious boat accident by a monster storm- part hurricane.
Specific scene: The specific scene in this book was that Digory the little boy was very brave tp be o this island by himself especially since his dad had died from the monster storm.
Theme: Their is a little boy who is stranded on his island by himself. He once was with hid dad but his dad was in his boat while a huge monster storm came and hit him. Once that had happened the little boy went to go find his dad and when he did his dad was found dead. So now the little boy is all alone on the island by himself. He will never be home again.
Opinion: My opinion on this book. Well it wasn't very exiting for me then I thought it was going to be. It never got very interesting until near the middle to the end of the book. So my opinion is it wasn't very good.
Specific scene: The specific scene in this book was that Digory the little boy was very brave tp be o this island by himself especially since his dad had died from the monster storm.
Theme: Their is a little boy who is stranded on his island by himself. He once was with hid dad but his dad was in his boat while a huge monster storm came and hit him. Once that had happened the little boy went to go find his dad and when he did his dad was found dead. So now the little boy is all alone on the island by himself. He will never be home again.
Opinion: My opinion on this book. Well it wasn't very exiting for me then I thought it was going to be. It never got very interesting until near the middle to the end of the book. So my opinion is it wasn't very good.
June 7, 2023
This is one of my favorite books I’ve ever read. I read it when I was younger and just recently had the chance to reread it this past week. It’s a quick read and really leaves you with a satisfying full feeling at the end. The bittersweet ending is what really pulls it all together. There are time when it feels as though there should have been a few extra pages to help you soak in the environment where it takes place but all in all this book is great if you want a quick and non boring read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2024
3.7
Southern England in the late 1600s.
Fishing villages, large families, and orphans (as well as free roaming children with minimal opportunities for an education).
At the end of the book:
- Author's Note - re the Magic House in Littlebury
& Henry Winstanley
- Map of England - should be at the beginning
- glossary and ship's glossary
I had never heard of Winstanley & his 'Magic House.'
Southern England in the late 1600s.
Fishing villages, large families, and orphans (as well as free roaming children with minimal opportunities for an education).
At the end of the book:
- Author's Note - re the Magic House in Littlebury
& Henry Winstanley
- Map of England - should be at the beginning
- glossary and ship's glossary
I had never heard of Winstanley & his 'Magic House.'
July 24, 2023
Really good book! It was easy to read, simple, and it was a great story! I only bought it because of Fearless, the album by Taylor, and read this because I’m behind schedule so all in all I didn’t really want to read this, but it was still good! The ending was a little bit predictable but with a small twist. In total, this was a really good book
January 11, 2019
What a good story!
Read
February 2, 2021I liked the book I liked how it was them on a boat in the sea. I like reading about seas and stuff and it was very interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2021
This is one of the best lighthouse stories ever because has a lot of light house things in it. Fishbone the dog comes along all the way on the 100 mile adventure to Plymouth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2023
It is the best book ever! It showed family love. It made me cry at the end.
August 5, 2025
Things became too unbelievable.
July 2, 2019
One of my all time favorite book.
May 14, 2009
Left in the care of his aunt while his father is at sea, 11-year-old Digory Beale is plagued by nightmares of his father dying in a terrible storm. Digory has always been afraid of the sea, preferring to draw when other boys were competing for sailing jobs. When word comes that his father’s ship has gone down, it seems that his worst fear has been realized. Digory must set out for Plymouth to learn his father’s fate. His aunt tells him not to return unless he finds his father alive. With eleven children of her own, she can’t afford another mouth to feed. Digory and his 9-year-old brother Cubby (who decides to follow Digory rather than stay with their aunt) face a difficult journey with little food, no money, and dwindling hope that their father is still alive.
In Plymouth, Digory and Cubby receive the crushing news that there were no survivors from their father’s ship. With their hopes of reuniting with their father dashed, the boys are alone and scared. Just when they think things can’t get any worse, Digory and Cubby are framed for stealing. A man named Henry Winstanley intercedes on their behalf and this chance meeting will drastically alter Digory’s life.
Henry Winstanley takes the boys to be servants at his home in Essex, but Winstanley’s home is no ordinary country estate. An engineer with a fondness for gadgets, Winstanley has filled his home with many whimsical inventions including a "Flying Chair" (an early version of the roller coaster), a mechanical dragon, and fountains that shoot colored water into the air. When Winstanley discovers Digory’s artistic talent, he offers him an apprenticeship. Digory thrives under the engineer’s tutelage.
When Winstanley receives news that the Eddystone Lighthouse, a beacon that he designed, is in need of repair after severe storms, he and Digory rush to Plymouth. Digory will finally have to face his fear of the sea in order to assist his beloved mentor.
While Digory and Cubby are fictional characters, Henry Winstanley was real. In 1698, he took on what many thought was an impossible task: construction of a lighthouse off the treacherous Eddystone reef near Plymouth, England. The Eddystone Lighthouse sustained severe damage during its first year of operation and was rebuilt with a modified design. For five years not a single ship was lost to the reef. In 1703, the lighthouse was destroyed during the Great Storm, the worst weather disaster in Britain’s history. Henry Winstanley and five others were killed when the lighthouse succumbed to the sea. The Eddystone Lighthouse was later rebuilt, and thanks to Winstanley’s vision, thousands of lives have been saved.
Elvira Woodruff has written an exciting and well-researched tale of courage and friendship. The book includes a glossary, a map of England in 1700 highlighting the key locations in the story as well as an extensive author’s note about the life and accomplishments of Henry Winstanley. Highly recommended.
In Plymouth, Digory and Cubby receive the crushing news that there were no survivors from their father’s ship. With their hopes of reuniting with their father dashed, the boys are alone and scared. Just when they think things can’t get any worse, Digory and Cubby are framed for stealing. A man named Henry Winstanley intercedes on their behalf and this chance meeting will drastically alter Digory’s life.
Henry Winstanley takes the boys to be servants at his home in Essex, but Winstanley’s home is no ordinary country estate. An engineer with a fondness for gadgets, Winstanley has filled his home with many whimsical inventions including a "Flying Chair" (an early version of the roller coaster), a mechanical dragon, and fountains that shoot colored water into the air. When Winstanley discovers Digory’s artistic talent, he offers him an apprenticeship. Digory thrives under the engineer’s tutelage.
When Winstanley receives news that the Eddystone Lighthouse, a beacon that he designed, is in need of repair after severe storms, he and Digory rush to Plymouth. Digory will finally have to face his fear of the sea in order to assist his beloved mentor.
While Digory and Cubby are fictional characters, Henry Winstanley was real. In 1698, he took on what many thought was an impossible task: construction of a lighthouse off the treacherous Eddystone reef near Plymouth, England. The Eddystone Lighthouse sustained severe damage during its first year of operation and was rebuilt with a modified design. For five years not a single ship was lost to the reef. In 1703, the lighthouse was destroyed during the Great Storm, the worst weather disaster in Britain’s history. Henry Winstanley and five others were killed when the lighthouse succumbed to the sea. The Eddystone Lighthouse was later rebuilt, and thanks to Winstanley’s vision, thousands of lives have been saved.
Elvira Woodruff has written an exciting and well-researched tale of courage and friendship. The book includes a glossary, a map of England in 1700 highlighting the key locations in the story as well as an extensive author’s note about the life and accomplishments of Henry Winstanley. Highly recommended.
March 2, 2009
YES for our library.
This book reminded me so much of Avi's Crispin: The Cross of Lead, a book that completely captures the feel of a historical place and time through vivid language, historical vocabulary, and by successfully transporting the reader to that time.
Unfortunately Fearless, like Crispin, isolates its readership by being so accurate to the time. In Fearless, a young boy in the 1700s, terrified of the sea and nearly useless to his family, is sent north to a harbor town to see if his father survived a devastating shipwreck. He is sent because his family cannot afford to send any of the hardworking boys that manage to bring home what little food and money this family struggles by with.
Many of the students in grades 4-6 will struggle with the countless unfamiliar words used to tell the story and maintain authenticity to the time. While an older audience might devour this story up, upper elementary students wouldn't be able to fully grasp or appreciate the world created by Woodruff, author of Fearless.
Nevertheless, I would certainly recommend the book to above grade level readers and those that can grasp and appreciate historical fiction without having a lot of background knowledge ahead of time.
This book reminded me so much of Avi's Crispin: The Cross of Lead, a book that completely captures the feel of a historical place and time through vivid language, historical vocabulary, and by successfully transporting the reader to that time.
Unfortunately Fearless, like Crispin, isolates its readership by being so accurate to the time. In Fearless, a young boy in the 1700s, terrified of the sea and nearly useless to his family, is sent north to a harbor town to see if his father survived a devastating shipwreck. He is sent because his family cannot afford to send any of the hardworking boys that manage to bring home what little food and money this family struggles by with.
Many of the students in grades 4-6 will struggle with the countless unfamiliar words used to tell the story and maintain authenticity to the time. While an older audience might devour this story up, upper elementary students wouldn't be able to fully grasp or appreciate the world created by Woodruff, author of Fearless.
Nevertheless, I would certainly recommend the book to above grade level readers and those that can grasp and appreciate historical fiction without having a lot of background knowledge ahead of time.
September 21, 2024
I really liked this book in the setting of Wales and the shipping coast of England. Two boys Diggory and younger brother Curry are orphaned afire their at her sailor crashed on the coast. Their poverty stricken aunt had them until they are sent to Plymouth to get news that their father was alive. The journey is wrapped in strange characters and daring feats to climb a mast, escape murderous robbers, kidnappers and dangerous adventure. They are rescued by a magical man Mr. Winstanley who buys their freedom and transports them inland to his mansion and magical garden and clockwork inventions. Diggory learns to read and expands his art talent. However the notorious lighthouse that Winstanley built is in danger of crashing so they go to the shore and row through a tumultuous storm carrying candles to save the ships. Mr. Winstanley died in the storm and Diggory reunited with his brother who has kept the papers of Winstanley safe. They rediscover their father who returned from the sea and was saved by the light of the lighthouse.
July 31, 2010
Set in my favorite part of the world, the Cornish coast, 1703. Digory and his brother Cubby, extra mouths in their aunt's tiny cottage, head for Plymouth to find out if the news about their father's downed ship is true. They meet inventor Henry Winstanley, who takes them to his amazing home, the Magic House. Happy days ensue, as Digory becomes apprenticed to Henry. Then word comes that the Eddystone Reef lighthouse, an astonishing structure built by Henry five years previously on bare rock near one of the most dangerous stretches of English coastline, is low on candles and in bad shape. Henry takes the boys and travels back to Plymouth to sail 14 miles out to the reef and save his lighthouse. What he doesn't know is that the "storm of the century" is about to hit the coast. This is a really interesting story, based on actual events. Accompanied by an excellent afterword with images of the actual lighthouse and Winstanley, a real person. 5th grade and up.
August 29, 2011
Good period story that's also historic in places, it takes place in 1703 in Cornwall, England and is about a young boy Digory whose fisherman father is at sea. While he's gone, Digory and his little brother Cubby are sent to live with their aunt and 11 cousins. When they learn that their father's boat crashes on the reef, the aunt says she can't feed them anymore and they must venture out on their own. They meet a man in Plymouth who takes them in to work at his mansion. Henry Winstanley is an inventor who has built the lighthouse and will do what it takes to keep it lit.
The adventure continues when Digory is faced with a deadly trip out to the lighthouse to deliver the candles in a storm. They must keep it lit!
Lively story with lots of adventure. A bit quirky in places, but it was good.
The adventure continues when Digory is faced with a deadly trip out to the lighthouse to deliver the candles in a storm. They must keep it lit!
Lively story with lots of adventure. A bit quirky in places, but it was good.
May 16, 2008
Filled with action (although, I would agree with Kirkus reviews on this -- it is labored action) and drama, this is a story about the relationship with the sea in coastal England in the 1700s. The inspiration for the story was Henry Winstanley, who built a lighthouse on the Eddystone Reef off of Plymouth England in the late 1600s. He wanted nothing more than to be in the lighthouse during a storm -- and he got his wish during The Great Storm of 1703. It took his life.
It is primarily the story of how Digory Beale grew up. He had to face many of his fears throughout the story, and the decisions he made will definitely determine what kind of adult he will be.
The character development and the action, while both dramatic, were somewhat...slow.
It is primarily the story of how Digory Beale grew up. He had to face many of his fears throughout the story, and the decisions he made will definitely determine what kind of adult he will be.
The character development and the action, while both dramatic, were somewhat...slow.
March 22, 2014
The book I read was Fearless by Elvira Woodruff. It's genre is realistic fiction.
It is about two boys one Digory Beagle and the other Cubby Beagle who set out from a small town of Mousehole to Plymouth to hope to find their father alive for their father was in a shipwreck.
My favorite character is Henry Winstanly because of the wacky inventions and creation. He brings Digory and Cubby in his house to be his apprentice. I also like him because he admires Digory's slate drawing.
I would recommend it because it has some sad, boring(it was rarely boring), happy, and parts where I could relate. Also it is a detailed book with some twists.
It is about two boys one Digory Beagle and the other Cubby Beagle who set out from a small town of Mousehole to Plymouth to hope to find their father alive for their father was in a shipwreck.
My favorite character is Henry Winstanly because of the wacky inventions and creation. He brings Digory and Cubby in his house to be his apprentice. I also like him because he admires Digory's slate drawing.
I would recommend it because it has some sad, boring(it was rarely boring), happy, and parts where I could relate. Also it is a detailed book with some twists.
February 28, 2010
This is an historical fiction novel set in the year 1703 in Cornwall, England. The main character through hard times eventually meets the man who built the first lighthouse on the Eddystone Reef, saving thousands of sailors from a watery grave, Henry Winstanly. Who would dare to build a lighthouse on that murderous reef? Meet Henry and his House of Wonder, a fun house of gadgets and inventions.
Although the story suffers in a spot or two in favor of presenting some interesting history, I still recommend this book to readers of all ages.
Although the story suffers in a spot or two in favor of presenting some interesting history, I still recommend this book to readers of all ages.
July 6, 2014
This one took some time for my investment in the outcome to occur, and even then I cared a lot more about Henry Winstanley than our intrepid orphaned protagonist. Although Winstanley is not the main character, he stands out as intelligent and fascinating, giving Thomas Jefferson a run for his money in my "who I most wish I could talk with for a few hours over tea" list.
The climax was dramatic and the ending tearfully satisfying.
And, guys? Best cover I've seen on a book in a very long time. I couldn't stop staring at it.
The climax was dramatic and the ending tearfully satisfying.
And, guys? Best cover I've seen on a book in a very long time. I couldn't stop staring at it.
August 30, 2014
I love lighthouses. This book gets an extra star because it is a historical novel about a very real lighthouse. It is actually geared toward young readers, but I really enjoyed it-read it in 3 days. The history of the lighthouse and its builder are accurate, as is the description of the Magic house and other inventions of Henry Winstanley. The young boys, and many of the other characters are fiction, but blended into the actual history extremely well by the author. Mr. Winstanley was a "fearless" man well ahead of his time.
November 7, 2008
Although I found Digory (the main character) to be interesting, I would have preferred she spent less time on the earlier chapters and focused more on the later chapters. The book really only got interesting in the last five chapters or so. It is nice that this book is based on historical people and places, just wish more would have been done to showcase the lighthouse and storm. A nice read for advanced readers or teens.
April 3, 2009
When I read _Fearless_, I kept waiting for a fearless character to show up, or for Digory to transform from a boy pretty much scared out of his wits to an amazingly fearless kid. That never happened!
What I now realize is that this book is all about facing your fears, and doing things in spite of your fear. Digory does grow up in this book, faces his fears, and finds a new life. It is an inspiring story of life in early 1700s England.
What I now realize is that this book is all about facing your fears, and doing things in spite of your fear. Digory does grow up in this book, faces his fears, and finds a new life. It is an inspiring story of life in early 1700s England.
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