The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Blue Bear

by Walter Moers

Book Overview

Welcome to the fantastic world of Zamonia, populated by all manner of extraordinary characters. This is book one of the series the Washington Post called "equal parts J. K. Rowling, Douglas Adams, and Shel Silverstein."

The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Blue Bear is a land of imaginative lunacy and supreme adventure, wicked satire and epic fantasy, all mixed together, turned on its head, and lavishly illustrated by author Walter...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1585678449
• ISBN13: 9781585678440
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 704 Pages
• Weight: 1.71 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.2" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Literally My FAVORITE Book Ever

This book found me at a thrift store when I was 17. Until then I had been feeling pretty dead inside and I was having a hard time staying interested in my normal hobbies. I found it on a shelf and was immediately enamored by the detailed illustrations, which I didn't expect from such a big book. It was incredibly fun to read and I HIGHLY recommend that everyone READ THIS BOOK ❤️

Night is knowledge!

If Norman Juster had written "The Hobbit," it might have turned out something like "The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear." It's also the best description of Walter Moers' debut novel, which is probably the best children's book ever written for adults. Set on the mythical continent of Zamonia, Moers sketches out hundreds of strange creatures and surreal adventures, all written in wryly colourful prose. Bluebear was found floating in a walnut shell, raised by peg-legged hook-handed Minipirates, taught by the talking waves, and kept as entertainment by gruesome hobgoblins. But when he ends up on a giant carnivorous island disguised as a gourmet's paradise, Bluebear is rescued by Deus X. Machina, a Reptilian Rescuer who later brings him to the Nocturnal Academy, run by the seven-brained Professor Abdullah Nightingale. But when he reaches the end of his education, Nightingale sends Bluebear onto a strange series of adventures -- he falls into a Dimensional Hiatus, is almost eaten by the Spiderwitch, travels through a Bollogg brain, gets swept up in an aging tornado, chases mirages with the Muggs, and finally becomes a Congladiator (lying/storytelling competitor) in Atlantis. But after a match gone bad, Bluebear must flee Atlantis -- and is abducted by the Moloch, a monstrous ship run by the most insidious substance in Zamonia... Walter Moers should get some kind of award for cramming as many fantastical, bizarre creatures into one book -- carpet dimensions, tiny cyclops, hairy imps, metallic rock-eaters, killer sugar-skeletons, antlered dogs, and headless giants all turn up, and that's only the start. It's a good thing Bluebear gets an encyclopedia in his brain (from Nightingale), or else we would never keep them all straight. And Moers brings this to life with writing that is straight-faced, detailed, colourful, but still slightly arch ("It should be explained that in the 2364th Dimension music is played on instruments made of milk"), and full of bustling cities and sandy deserts. There's even a city that flies to another planet. But the whimsical plot pulls itself together in his last few-and-a-half lives, where hints and subplots from his previous lives come together -- and we finally find out Bluebear's destiny. Bluebear himself is a likable guy, as well as very adaptable -- and somehow no matter what bizarre things he does, he's always just as likable. The supporting characters are wildly numerous, but a few stand out -- Fredda, the Alpine Imp who writes bad poetry, a gelatinous prince 2364th Dimension, the grumpy Mac, and the gloriously eccentric Professor Nightingale. Except for its length, you'd think "The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear" was a kids' book, with its whimsical drawings and colorfully imaginative little world. But it's full of humor, solid writing and bizarre twists -- definitely a good read.

THIS ISN'T A CHILDREN'S BOOK.

I kind of resent the fact people keep calling it that. It's basically a book in the style of "The Hitchhiker's Guide..." so I guess if that's a children's book.... It's basically a journey story. It's wonderfully entertaining and very fast. It's basically a book for adults with a childlike imagination. It's fun and engaging. When's the last time you picked up a adult lit book with illustrations? It's just fun. I highly recommend it.

To me, Moers is a genius.

When you read his books, you will discover new worlds. He can be funny, romantic, scary, fantastic, angry... You just have to try Moers, I think, you will love him. And Captain Blue Bear is only the beginning... P.S.: I would have given more stars, if possible.

As good as Harry Potter but more funny and original

Captain Bluebaer is a notorious lyer. No of his stories is true. But they are very convincing indeed. I read the book four times, and it got even funnier. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop it.

Fantastic Imagination

I found this book on my bookshelf and read it while on holiday because it looked quite thick. It is tale of pure fantasy, the imagination in the writing and storyline makes this one of the best books ever. The writing is light-hearted and continuously upbeat, Captain Bluebear displays an amazing capacity for optimism which makes you love every second of his lives. The story twists bizare tales which defy prediction and keep you wondering what will happen next. It is witty and comical with many illustrations however the thing I love about this book is that it is a tall tale well told, a classic of creativity and story telling.