I Was a Rat!

by Philip Pullman

Paperback, 2002

Status

Available

Collection

Description

A little boy turns life in London upside down when he appears at the house of a lonely old couple and insists he was a rat.

Subjects

England Fiction

Humorous stories

London (England) Fiction

User reviews

LibraryThing member pratchettfan

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.

Show Less

5 more

LibraryThing member inklingsfan47

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.

Show Less

LibraryThing member bplma

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.

LibraryThing member rfewell

I had no idea this was a retelling of Cinderella! This is going to be a great one to read with the kids, oh, and I love Philip Pullman :-)

LibraryThing member agrudzien

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 :)

Show Less

LibraryThing member RobertaLea

It's been a long while since I've read a Pullman story. I am going to have to read more. I enjoyed this little tale.

Fewer