Synopsis:

Firmin is a special rat who is born in an old bookstore. Bullied by his own siblings, he has to eat the books around him in order to feed himself and not starve to death. Due to this literary diet, he turns into a literary rat who enjoys books and culture. Unfortunately for him, and the bookshopper, the store is facing its doom, for a project of urbanization is menacing the beighbourhood.

Personal opinion:

Amazing read! Despite the sad tone in which the story develops, it scores many laughs, owing to the satiric sense of humour that Firmin uses to describe life from his own point of view. From his loneliness and lack of self-esteem, he expresses his dreams and expectations in life, and his wish to love and to be loved.

Firmin, as a character, is fully three-dimensional; you come to learn his anguishes and his funny little ways. Almost everything he explains is related to literature, and all along the book we can find quotes and references to all-time classics. It's also curious to discover how, as a human being, his early learnings influence on his life and behaviour (e.g. his obsession with tagging stuff).

In my opinion, the only negative point would be the continuous pessimism that, in some chapters, can be a little annoying; but actually, as far as everything goes wrong for him (he cannot even relate to anybody successfully!), that's the way it has to be.

I highly recommend this book to all book lovers: everyone can find a piece of himself in little Firmin. It is also a good read for those who, like me, try to find the meaning of life in everything they do (just like our little friend). Caution: never recommend this book to depressive types, as this book could really put them down!

Maybe someday we will find other books referencing Firmin, as it has all the ingredients to be a masterpiece of modern american literature. I loved it from beginning to end; hence: ( )

No other adult fiction has had a protagonist quite like Firmin. Firmin is a highly intelligent (and well-read!) rat living above a bookstore in 1960s Boston. Firmin is a hopeless romantic and has, at times, been so overcome by the great classics of literature, that he cannot stop himself from devouring them, literally. It is a wonderful, darkly comic read with an unforgettable narrator. ( )

A good little book about a very intelligent rat who can read and play the piano, no less! I enjoyed this book very much, and really felt Firmin's emotions, although I was glad the book wasn't any longer as I think it was just the right length. ( )

Firmin ah Firmin…

I have a true affection for books about books, reading, libraries, etc… and I love stories of outsiders. This book about a book loving rat was like a fable written just for me. I loved Firmin… the book and the rat. As he traveled his way through life in a bookstore, I found myself intensely attached to and concerned for him. He made me laugh and I was even a bit choked up by the end.

Wow!
Um
Wow!

Savage's debut novel introduces Firmin, a rat with a very large vocabulary and an appreciation for literature. The book is deceptively slim and looks like a quick read, but isn't. At times I found Firmin repulsive; yet, I could not put it down. This book will appeal to audiences looking for something different. ( )