Author: J. V. Hart; with illustrations by Brett Helquist
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year of Publication: 2005
About the Book:
Written by the same person who wrote the popular movie 'Hook', Hart writes about the Captain's troubled youth before he became Captain Hook.
Hook, first known as James Matthew is the bastard son of 'Lord B', and then novel starts with James' first day at Eton. Shunned for being illegitimate and tormented by the uppity Arthur Darling, James plots and schemes, ever determined to be the one to come out on top.
While it isn't strictly speaking a pirate novel, this book gives an interesting look into the origins of one of the most famous pirates in literature. The majority of the novel takes place in Eton, but the later half is set aboard the ship the Sea Witch where we find out how James Matthew becomes Captain Hook.
Hart's characters are very much well rounded and likable, James himself is a lovable sort of anti-hero and a good contrast to his best mate Jolly Roger (who is very much as jolly as his namesake), and James' love interest, a Sultan's daughter, Ananova is also no wilting flower.
Helquist's illustrations would be familiar to those who've read A Series of Unfortunate Events and very much add to the narrative. Hart weaves an engaging, if slightly disturbing tale, filled with romance, revenge plots, and whistling spiders (???) that will have you rooting for Hook and his pirates when you next read Barrie's Peter Pan.
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