I Was a Rat

In a sidebar-style twist on the Cinderella tale, Pullman spins the story of one of the rats-turned-coachmen - only this one wasn't turned back into a rat. The boy turns up on an old couple's doorstep; they dub him Roger and take him in, but Roger is easily distracted or led astray - he runs away from school, is put into a freakshow, then broken free by a group of boys who work as a team of thieves. Joan and Bob search for Roger, as the Daily Scourge whips everyone into a frenzy, and the government decides there must be a trial before the "monster" rat-boy is exterminated. Ultimately, it's the Joan and Bob, and the princess Aurelia (or is it Mary Jane, from the kitchen?) who save Roger from death.

Quotes

Everyone had an opinion, and the show more less they knew, the more strongly they expressed themselves. (122)

"See, I don't think it's what you are that matters. I think it's what you do. I think they'd like me to just be, and not do anything." (princess to Roger, 159) show less

A charming little story told in Pullman's clear style, with a clever, laugh-out-loud twist at the end.

A tale about a boy who claims to have been a rat and finds himself in a world where everyone misunderstands his intentions or wants to take advantage of him.
It is apparent from the start, that this story was written for younger children. The sentences were fairly short and simple and the story moved in a linear way. So it took a while for me to really dig the story. However, underneath it all lies a biting commentary on sensational journalism. And at the end there awaits a fun and surprising resolution, so it is worth to give the book a shot, especially since it is so short.

One night a strange boy arrives on Bob and Joan’s doorstep – he claims that he was a rat, but that he has recently turned into a boy. This boy also claims to know the new princess…who isn’t who she says she is. The story follows "Roger" though his troubles learning to be a boy and how others view him: a carnival attraction, a terror, a budding thief, or a confused little boy in need of a good home.

The fairytale connection wasn't as strong as I expected it to be. It was more of a coming of age (kind of?) book than a fairytale. Amazingly, Roger was very believable as a past rat/current boy...there was just enough innocence and rattiness :)

A twist on the classic cinderella tale. What would happen if cinderella lived today and one of her rat-turned-coachmen continued to live as a boy? that's the premise of this clever and witty little tale. fun but not great.

Continuation of the Cinderella story from the point of view of one of the rat's who accompanied her coach. He ends up staying a boy in the palace where Cinderella comes to live. Like Candide, life doesn't provide happy-ever-after results, but it does provide opportunities to do one's best.

A day's read and very much a children's book -- regardless, I enjoyed it. ( Although I think children will enjoy it much more. ) There's just something about Pullman that is ultimately 'eh' and not so captivating that I haven't really been able to put my finger on, and have sort of given up trying. The point is: I have always been able to put down a Philip Pullman book without the least bit hesitation.