The Pirates Mixed Up Voyage

By: Margaret Mahy

Narrated by: Richard Mitchley

Captain Lionel Wafer and his fellow-pirates - Toad, Brace-and-Bit and Winkle, are no ordinary ruffians. Clinging to the belief that life should be simple, free and unplanned they set off in a converted teashop of a ship, renamed The Sinful Sausage, to sail backwards and forwards over the bounding blue. In no time a dastardly plan has formed in Captain Wafer's mind to kidnap the famous inventor, Humbert Cash-Cash, from his sunshine retreat and purloin his inventions - or at the very least pinch his diamond doorknob. But they land on the wrong island - and that is where their troubles start...

©1983 Margaret Mahy (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

A delicious kid's story with something for adults

What did you love best about The Pirates Mixed Up Voyage?

It's a story on several levels. My kids enjoyed the pirates and their (mis-)adventures; what can you say about nearly being devoured by a dragon and then singing it to sleep? But it's also got something for parents too - the theme of free will as being acted out by Captain Wafer vs. Toothpick's argument in favor of doom and destiny is just an example. If you're a parent who enjoys a story with silliness and seriousness mixed together, then this can make a great family listen on a car trip.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There are several I really like, but I'd say my favorite is the muddled-but-brilliant inventor Humbert Cash-Cash, who has enhanced the world with such useful inventions as Polar Zone Gingerbread and self-replicating peanut butter sandwiches. Wonderful silliness without being slapstick.

Which scene was your favorite?

Again, there are a number of good ones, but perhaps my favorite is when the ignorant pirates charge onto island 888 looking for treasure. They can't read, so they go right past signs warning them of terrible danger and are nearly eaten by the dragon the find at the end of the path...only to escape by giving the dragon rum and gingerbread, and then singing it to sleep.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Doom and destiny"

Any additional comments?

A fun story and also well performed. Strongly recommended.

Avast ye landlubbers...adventure on the horizon

What did you love best about The Pirates Mixed Up Voyage?

A great story, with characters you cant help but fall in love with. Its the pirate adventures we all dreamed of as children, escaping the humdrum of society and running away to find adventure.

What did you like best about this story?

The pirates make the story, the mismatch collection of swashbucklers each flawed in their own ways, tin ears,bad knees...a penchant for falling in love, but all suffer from the inability to read; which makes for endless fun upon the Sinful Sausage(their ship).

Which scene was your favorite?

Mistakenly landing on "dessert" island instead of a desert island...you can't help but love an island made entirely of pudding...i want to live in a fruitcake*yum*.

Great for kids of all ages

Any additional comments?

A great story read by a narrator whose voices are spot on for the characters.

fantastic fun like all Mahy stories

If you could sum up The Pirates Mixed Up Voyage in three words, what would they be?

marvellous Mahy mayhem

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Pirates Mixed Up Voyage?

the Dessert Island scenes

What about Richard Mitchley’s performance did you like?

Mitchley understands the nonsense that children so adore in storytelling