Customer Reviews

The Giant Rat of Sumatra: or Pirates Galore

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

" "Shipwreck," a twelve-year-old cabin boy, narrates a swash-buckling adventure containing an abundance of plot dualities, twists, and turns. His breezy narrative takes readers into the waning days of Mexican rule in California and a high-spirited romp of revenge, romance, and rivalry." (summary by Texas Library Association)

Only twelve years old, Edmund Amos Peters has already lived a life filled with incredible adventures. He and his father went down in a ship after leaving New England. Edmund was saved by Captain Gallows, one of the fiercest pirates still taking prizes in 1846. Nicknamed Shipwreck, for obvious reasons, he stays on as a cabin boy for the pirates.

I've read several of Siddhartha Fleishman's novels over the years, starting with BY THE GREAT HORN SPOON! when I was younger than my ten year old. I've always enjoyed the way he's clever with his characters and situations, and the fact that he doesn't dawdle. His stories always have the characters doing something at a frantic pace.

Packed full of adventure and interesting characters, THE GIANT RAT OF SUMATRA captures the imaginations of kids (and adults!) from the opening pages and doesn't let go until the end. There's always some problem Shipwreck and the brave Captain Gallows have to deal with.

After arriving in San Diego, California, which at that time is Mexican property, Captain Gallows declares that he's going to go straight. He buys himself new clothes, a ranch, and even renames himself. As Don Alexandro, he sets himself up in business buying cow hides.

This is old-style adventure writing at its finest. There are mysterious characters and nefarious doings from the opening pages, and a sea battle as Americans sail into the harbor in an effort to take the city in the final pages.

In between those hooks, the juvenile novel jumps through hoops to entertain young minds and adults as well. I loved the lady bandit and her semi-stalwart gang, and the pistol duel that Captain Gallows arranges for the control of her and her crew.

The descriptions of the places and the people brought a lot of images to mind. They all seem true to life.

THE GIANT RAT OF SUMATRA is a 2008 Sequoyah book. Kids in elementary school get to vote on the best of the lot if they read three of them. Parents are welcome to help, and I heartily recommend reading this one aloud, taking turns with your child if your child can read.

I'm giving this to my daughter for her birthday soon (along with another book and other related items). Once I get her feedback, I'll update my review with actual info.

My grandson is 8. This is a wonderful book and

just right for his age.

I picked up Sid Fleischman's "The Giant Rat of Sumatra (or Pirates Galore)" because of the title, and I casually started it at work, and then I was late back from break. Thanks a lot, Sid Fleischman. Your book is the best read I've had in a long time.

Twelve year-old "Shipwreck" has found himself the reluctant cabin boy of the gloriously decaying pirate ship "The Giant Rat of Sumatra" (so named because of the rat figurehead). His shipmates aren't a bad lot, for pirates, and when the deadly but decidedly charming Captain Gallows pulls into San Diego harbor it's clear that "The Giant Rat of Sumatra" has sailed her last voyage. The pirates are given the option to either find a new berth or join the Captain in his new life as a Don of Mexico. Shipwreck, though, isn't really given a choice. After a spontaneous display of loyalty to his Captain he is made the unwilling bearer of the emerald eyes of the Giant Rat herself. Walking around with a fortune sewn into your coat hem is nervous work when all your associates are pirates.

From there we have a serious of wild adventures involving one-armed men and lady bandits, underwater duels and pirate treachery, disguises and revelations, until at last we arrive at the final showdown as San Diego falls to the invading American army (it is 1846, after all).

A blast from start to finish, the "Rat of Sumatra" is a must for any fan (of any age) of pirate lore or adventure novels. Fleischman is a first-rate storyteller, weaving a fun plot with genuine literary merit and a beautiful way with words. I can't recommend this book enough, particularly if you've run out of Leon Garfield and are looking for someone new to keep you turning the pages.

A word on the title: When I first saw the book I thought the title was a reference to a hilarious article a few years back about obscure movie quotes. The author of the article stated that the all time greatest (and hardest to drop into a conversation) quote was "Have you ever heard of the Giant Rat of Sumatra?", a line from an old Sherlock Holmes film. When I saw this book I thought it couldn't be a coincidence and Fleischman was one cool guy. I still think he's cool, but apparently it was a coincidence. The title is an allusion to the Holmes story, but not the article. No matter, a four and a half star book (which for Amazon purposes I'll round up to five) that needs to be famous.

I do feel it could have done with a bit more suspense at the end (a la "Black Jack") but the overall journey was a decided pleasure. And Hollywood, if you make the film version, Antonio Banderas for Captain Gallows please. Or Diego Luna will be fine too. Get going!

GRADE: A-/B+