The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents

As a long time Pratchett fan I began The Amazing Maurice with a little trepidation, after all, it is aimed at kids, right? One chapter in, I understood that Pratchett has truly mastered pitching a tale for a vast audience. At no point are adults patronised, and I should imagine younger readers would be just as engrossed, although the end seeks absolute closure and is just a wee bit too long. The story's main protagonists are talking rats and an equally smart cat. That in itself would be the central fact of a children's book. Not so here; the dilemmas faced within this tale are deep - there's (rat) philosophy, questions about what it means to have an idea of 'self' and a quirky and amusing outlook from the animal kingdom. Threaded through this is the plot, a typical Pratchett affair, in which an old tale is blended with additional panache, twists and wit. This Discworld story is as clever as expected, however the real winner here is that the new animal perspective allows Pratchett to unleash a book far smarter and engaging than most - absolutely recommended.

Utterly Brilliant! (13/14 people found this helpful)

I hardly ever give 5 stars, but his book deserves it. It is just one of those books that stands out from the crowd and it is most definitely my favourite Terry Pratchett book.

As expected the story is extremely funny and well-written, but unlike many of Terry Pratchett's other books, it also clever, innovating, and it even gives you something to think about. Not bad for children's fantasy!

I would highly recommend this book to anybody who likes Terry Pratchett, anybody who likes fantasy, anybody between the age of 10 and 100, anybody basically :)

A ratty view of people (25/25 people found this helpful)

On the Discworld, even wizards produce leftovers. Their discarded garbage, however, is laced with traces of magic. Out on the tip, the rats forage in the scraps - apple cores, candle stubs [good carbohydrate source], dogends. Like any trace mineral, the magic builds up until the rats have changed, gaining new talents. Among those talents are speaking and reading. Speaking allows them to communicate better while the reading gives them words to use as names. They're an organized group now, and they have an ambition. They want to find a safe place for retirement. They have a mentor, Maurice, a cat who shares their talents, but has an extra one of his own - he's a con cat. And he has a story hidden away.

A street smart feline, Maurice has learned the value of money. He knows how humans use it, and he wants the independence it offers. To gain it, he's organized the rats and adopted Keith, a rather simple human, into his group. Together, they work the towns to create a "plague of rats" then provide a piper, Keith, to lure them away - for cash. Despite disputes over percentages, the team has scored many successful ventures. But Keith, and the rats, are having misgivings over the ethics of the con. They want to quit, and Bad Blintz will be the last place they work the con.

Every venture has its risks. Bad Blintz is clearly not a rich place. The villagers queue up for bread and sausages, which are in short supply. There are rat catchers who carry strings of tails, but the team can't find a live rat anywhere in the maze of cellars and tunnels beneath the town. In resolving this conundrum, team encounters a powerful new force - one that challenges all the skills given them by the wizards' residue magic. Their very survival rests on how they deal with the mystery. Its resolution is consummately Pratchett.

Terry Pratchett's books increasingly delve into philosophical questions, even moral ones. It would be nice to know if he actually intended this book for "children." You'll note above that the publishers call for "Reader Level Ages 9 - 12," but the editorial reviews say "12 and up." The disparity is typical Pratchett. Why the lack of consensus? One guess is that Pratchett thinks the adult mind set is too rigid to discern the point he's making. This book isn't a fantasy about "talking animals," it's a spur to stimulate thinking about the relationship of humanity to the rest of the animal kingdom. We're part of that kingdom, but we deal with our relations in ignorance. Children, and a few adults, are best suited to begin revising that approach. With human society devastating the habitats of so many creatures, a new way of thinking about them is required. Pratchett's conclusion shows that the process won't be simple and we have to start thinking now about how to do it. Who better to start with than children? They still have the capacity to learn.

It's almost superfluous to discuss Pratchett's writing. He's a master of language and a skilled manipulater of ideas. If you are new to his work, this is a fine place to start. If you're an established fan, there's nothing here to disappoint you. Add this book to your library and buy another for someone. Anyone. They'll surely be grateful. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

Terry Pratchett is, quite simply, a genius. (3/10 people found this helpful)

That rare thing that might come along only once in one's lifetime, and is marvelled at exceedingly: a Discworld book with chapters.

Fantastic (7/9 people found this helpful)

I bought this book at a fair at school when I was...about 12. Now I'm 14. I've read it twice only, but I love it. The relationships between boy, rats and cat are amazing. It's so believable and will touch rat owners, while making rat-haters soften to them. A bit gruesome at times, but wholely satifying. This book holds a special place on my shelf!

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents

Terry Pratchett

Reader Reviews:

Inventive fiction at its best (3/3 people found this helpful)

Utterly Brilliant! (13/14 people found this helpful)

A ratty view of people (25/25 people found this helpful)

Terry Pratchett is, quite simply, a genius. (3/10 people found this helpful)

Fantastic (7/9 people found this helpful)

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