I Was A Rat! by Philip Pullman

“I Was a Rat!” So insists a scruffy boy named Roger. Maybe it’s true. But what is he now? A terrifying monster running wild in the sewers? The Daily Scourge is sure of it. A victim of “Rodent Delusion”? The hospital nurse says yes. A lucrative fairground freak? He is to Mr. Tapscrew. A champion wriggler and a budding thief? That’s what Billy thinks. Or just an ordinary small boy, though a little ratty in his habits? Only three people believe this version of the story. And it may take a royal intervention—and a bit of magic—to convince the rest of the world.

Set against the backdrop of a Royal Wedding—and a playful parody of the press, I Was a Rat! is a magical weaving of humor, fairy tale, and adventure.

Title and author of book: I was a Rat! by Philip Pullman

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Juvenile Fiction. Fantasy. Fairy Tale Retelling.

What led you to pick up this book? Ana recommended it in a post, so I read it for the Once Upon a Time Challenge III.

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? I thought the book was a cute, quaint little story. It wasn't long, but it was touching. It is essentially a story of becoming someone that belongs, even if you are not sure if you deserve it. It is also a story of acceptance because the main character is not like everyone else. Some people look on his as a sideshow act, but he does find people that love and accept him for who he is. I liked the message behind the book.

What did you like least? It was too short. I think I would have preferred a novel because there were some characters and incidents that I would have liked to have seen more detail from.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? I probably should skip this question... I swear, there is something wrong with me, but I did not like the other books by him that I have read. Anyone that knows him knows what famous trilogy I am talking about... Pullman is a better writer than some of the series/trilogies that I profess to hate, though. He has that going for him!

What did you think of the main character? Roger was a cute character. A little annoying at times, but that was entirely the point. 'He was a rat!', or so he keeps telling anyone that asks. He was funny, too. Not entirely on purpose, but he did get himself into his fair share of adventures that lead to interesting storylines. I wouldn't mind seeing more from him!

What about the ending? I liked the ending. It didn't really surprise me. I had figured out which fairy tale it was retelling from the very beginning, but I still liked it.

I thought this book was quite enjoyable! I think everyone should take the time to read about Roger's adventures.

The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman [February/06]

This is the first in a trilogy by Philip Pullman known as His Dark Materials. I had heard about the series for quite some time, even owned the first book in the series for a while, but never got around to reading them. They are really hyped up books with many people telling me they are the best fantasy novels they have ever read, or something along those lines. It made me nervous to read them because a lot of times when a lot of people are saying good things about a book, I don't end up enjoying it so much. I ended up having to read it for school, though, so I got to get my taste of Pullman. I read it just before I read the novel Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, and I am glad I chose that order because I think I would have strongly disliked it if it had to follow the wonder that is Good Omens.

As it was, the book was not as great as I was expecting it to be. I found I had to force myself to stay with it because I found it rather slow in many parts. It was an interesting read, though, with the daemons and a young girl on the brink of maturity setting off on a wild adventure to the North to save other children of the world. Lyra has never really had a stable life and all she knows of family is the uncle that comes to visit her from time to time where she lives at a college surrounded by many scholars for companions. As a result, she is often running wild with the servant class of the college as there is not many other options open to her. It is her Uncle, Lord Asriel that starts her off on her adventure by sparking in her an interest in dust, and then the rest of the novel goes from there. It is her story, and she is a compelling young lady, but the action is lacking and I just was not blown away with the novel as other people I know where. I am hoping if I finish the trilogy in the future I may come to like it more.

3.5/5