Summary

           Castaways begins with the tale of the Flying Dutchman and how it comes to be cursed. Ben and Ned are introduced at this point in the book and are saved from the Dutchman’s fate because of their innocence. As a reward, the two beings are given the ability to hear each other’s thoughts and communicate telepathically. The odd pair wash up on the beaches of Tierra del Fuego and are greeted by an old shepherd named Luis, who they live with for the next 3 years. The old man eventually dies and then an angel appears to the pair and gives them the gift of immortality for helping make the old man’s last years the happiest of his life. Ben and Ned are then tasked with roaming the world and helping those in need. 250 years later, they come upon the village of Chapelvale, which is under threat of acquisition by greedy industrialists. Ben and Ned decide to help and they eventually save the village with the help of the locals. At the end of the book, Ben and Ned must leave and find others to help.