James Cheng Cheng itibaren Capulhuac de Miramontes itibaren Capulhuac de Miramontes

So great to see this collection all together. I first read this book around 14 years of age, and it had a massive impact back then. It was huge as was the Swallows and Amazons series, Lord of the Rings, It, and The House That Sailed Away in my childhood/early adolescence. The book (1) is quite a wonderful but brutal romp through London by a bunch of runaway kids, who in this world mutate slightly into furtive and clever little badmouths who are handy with a slingshot, and who have some eternal nemeses in the Rumbles. The bumbling but apparently mean Rumbles tunnel their way to Borrible territory and so the Borribles decide to put together a crack team and set about training up with slingshot, and pointy ears at the ready their fellowship takes a dangerous path through not only Rumble but human dangers. They hate cops too! Actually the rag and bone couple who kidnap them during the adventure is quite a dark chapter in Borrible legend. Part of the object of life as a Borrible is to have a name bestowed on you, reflecting your toughness and cleverness in battle or escapade. You'll have to excuse the youthful enthusiasm I have for these rough as guts little tramps, I think it helped foster the anti-establishment in me as a teen!! Tee hee Finished the book in a flurry of wide-eyed page-flipping early June, and the 3rd installment really goes further with its pointed societal barbs. Great to see it back in print in softcover, read it, big kids!!