8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
On the topic of Famous Books that have Never Been Written, June 24, 2005
Sid Fleischman wears many hats. He is a magician, a screenplay writer, a biographer, a gardener, a Newbery Award winning children's book author, the father of a Newbery Award winning children's book author, an autobiographer, and a good friend. Not only does he wear many hats, but can manage to pull a rabbit from each one.
One day, when he had some time between book projects to converse, I spilled out an idea for a children's book (hoping that Sid would take the bait). Now you should know that the only writer's block that Sid has occurs as a cramp in his right hand during a lengthy book signing - so he really didn't (and still doesn't) need any ideas from me.
But the idea was that a story could be written about a boy who spent his time reading famous books that had never been written.
Sid's response was "What are you talking about?"
"Well, you know, there are many books of which we all know the titles, but they really haven't been written."
Sid's response was "What are you talking about?"
"Well, you know, books like `The Giant Rat of Sumatra'."
"`The Giant Rat of Sumatra' has been written!"
"Do you remember reading it?"
"Well....no"
"That's because it was never written. Oh, and by the way, it was not written by Arthur Conan Doyle - it was a Sherlock Holmes case."
"So what was the Giant Rat of Sumatra?"
"I don't know, I haven't read the book."
This was too much for Sid, who immediately researched the Giant Rat (his biographical skills came to the fore). Now, I must confess, when I had the idea of a boy reading famous books which had never been written, I had envisioned my younger self as being this character. Sid, on the other hand, envisioned himself as the author! A couple of days after our discussion, Sid called me back and pronounced "the Giant Rat is a Pirate Ship!" How did he know? Well, he was going to write the book of course! Was the book going to have anything to do with Sherlock Holmes? No!!!
I must admit that when this book was released, I thought there would be a deluge of criticism from the Sherlockians, Holmesists & Doyleys regarding the wholesale lifting of the title, but to this point not one word has appeared in the Amazon reviews (whew!)
Now the book is doing well, and it is a most enjoyable novel. If I tell you more, I would spoil the reading.
So thus ends the tale of How This Book Got Its Title - and it's almost all true.
And as for my library of famous books that have never been written - I've read them all!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Welcome aboard the Giant Rat of Sumatra!, March 9, 2006
A young cabin boy's ocean life of high adventure is about to change. Anchored off California in 1846 as Mexico and America were at war and with her pirate days closing fast, the Far East pirate ship..with a figure-head of a huge jeweled eyed rat..comes home to rest.
This is a fun quick read that is sure to please the young and old adventurer. Written primarily for the younger grade schooler, this is good clean book. Filled with twist and surprises along the way, it is sure to please. Every Sherlock Holmes fan has heard of the giant rat of Sumatra but Doyle never wrote more than a passing word or two about the adventure. Just enought to peak the readers curiousity. Well, no Holmes here but just fun reading.
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