Coachman Rat [Paperback]

Davd Henry Wilson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The British author of the Jeremy James children's books puts a spin on the Cinderella and Pied Piper myths and turns "happily ever after" upside down. The eponymous narrator, fascinated by man's power over the world, lets himself be caught in a nonlethal trap and is transformed by a "woman of light" into human form. He is now Robert, the coachman who drives Amadea (former scullery maid) to the Prince's ball in a gold coach (formerly a pumpkin) pulled by six white horses (once mice). At midnight they all revert to their original forms, but our hero can no longer communicate with rats; he can talk with humans, however. Robert searches for the woman of light, who appears after Princess Amadea and the Prince are killed by a mob. Transformed to coachman again, Robert plots revenge on the town. Employing armies of rats, his vendetta turns out disastrously for everyone, including the tormented Robert. Comparisons between men and rodents are effective, and the story has the simple, propulsive feel of a real fairy tale. But not for children.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

The fate of a young rat magically transformed for one brief night into a coachman takes on the air of heroic tragedy in this retelling (from a different point of view) of one of childhood's most famous fairytales. Set in a Europe on the verge of enlightenment, Wilson's somber portrayal of a creature trapped halfway between his animal origins and his new "human" awareness explores the shadowy aftermath of the phrase "and they lived happily ever after." First published in West Germany, this compelling fantasy is highly recommended for adult and YA fantasy collections.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Baen (November 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671720309
• ISBN-13: 978-0671720308
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,820,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Henry Wilson (b. 1937) is a British playwright, novelist and children's author. His plays have been produced at many well-known theatres in England, including the Hampstead, Theatre Royal Stratford East, King's Head, Sheffield Crucible, Leicester Haymarket, Cheltenham Everyman, Edinburgh and Pitlochry Festivals etc., as well as abroad. His children's books, especially the Jeremy James series, have been translated into many languages, and his novel The Coachman Rat achieved critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Many of his works can be downloaded on www.HopeCorner.net
For many years he lectured at the universities of Bristol (England) and Konstanz (Germany), where he founded and ran the university theatre. He is also a translator, and the range of his work covers children's novels by Kirsten Boie, art history by Werner Hofmann, travel books by Peter Sager, prose and poetry by Hermann Hesse, and literary theory by Wolfgang Iser. He is married, with three grown-up children, lives in Taunton, Somerset, still plays cricket, has one grandchild, and would dearly love to have a few more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative, but very dark, November 13, 2000

By 

"kangarex" (Keokuk, IA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coachman Rat (Paperback)

This is a well written and highly imaginative tale of what happened to Cinderella's coachman after he was turned back into a rat. Unfortunately the story is dark almost to the point of becoming a horror book. If the truly dark, grim fairy tales appeal to you, you will love this book. I like mine a little lighter.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Further Tale of the Coachman, February 6, 2000

By 

Jim Bosomworth (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coachman Rat (Paperback)

The Coachman Rat goes past the fairy tale of Cinderella and shows in historical perspective what would probabably have happened to many of the major characters. Cinderella and her prince are set up as tyrants and consorts of witches, leading to overthrow and death. The story of the vengeful rats retaliation is also historically based and adds a great twist. Highly recommended for young adults and adults alike.

4.0 out of 5 stars Re-told Fairy Tales, February 17, 2009

By 

Yolanda S. Bean (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Coachman Rat (Paperback)

This marriage of "Cinderella" and "The Pied Piper" was certainly a fast and entertaining read. In some ways it reminded me of _Ratatouille_ as well and I wonder if the writers read this first. This fairy tale was fun - though it would probably be better for younger audiences. Then again, I suppose you can't really outgrow fairy tales. And while this isn't my favorite re-told fairy tale, it certainly wasn't bad. And the whole idea of the story was quite original.