The Revenge of Randal Reese-Rat [Hardcover]

Tor Seidler (Author), Brett Helquist (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Sequel to A Rat's Tale.

In A Rat's Tale, Montague Mad-Rat saved the day for the wharf rats of New York City and won the affection of the she-rat of his dreams, the lovely Isabel Moberly-Rat. All ratdom hailed Montague as a hero -- except for the rat whose story is at the center of this captivating sequel. A rodent of impeccable breeding and exquisite personal hygiene, Randal Reese-Rat is mad with jealousy, believing Montague has stolen his former bride-to-be. His jealousy is no secret on his wharf, and when an unthinkable crime is perpetrated against Izzy and Monty on their wedding night, Randal is the prime suspect. Now on the lam, with a price on his head and thugs on his tail, Randal involves secret friends of his in a perfect and horrible revenge on the whole rat colony, Izzy and Monty included. But his plans are hopelessly complicated when a new rat enters his life, an exotic she-rat who also happens to be the cousin of his nemesis, Montague.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fans of A Rat's Tale may be disappointed in this sequel, which focuses less on Montague Mad-Rat and his eccentric family and more on his rival for Isabel Moberly-Rat's hand, Randal Reese-Rat. The story opens in Africa, where Aunt Elizabeth has traveled to bring her daughter, Maggie, to New York City for the wedding of her cousin, Montague. Monty became a hero in the inaugural novel when his hand-painted seashells fetched a handsome sum, large enough to save the rodent community's wharf. On the wedding night of Monty and his fetching bride, Isabel, an arsonist sets a fire in their home and Randal Reese-Rat is the chief suspect. A "citywide rathunt" ensues, and the jealous (and, as it turns out, innocent) Randal seeks revenge on the rat community that has turned against him. Seidler plants clues to another potential romance as well as the identity of the true arsonist along the way. Though the author's talent for moving fluidly from one character's perspective to another is as evident as ever, the chronological flow is not as smooth here as in its predecessor (the narrative often backpedals to fill in gaps between episodes). And Helquist's drawings, while paying homage to the late Marcellino's earlier portraits of the characters, do not possess their polish or panache. Maggie's comment, as she heads back to Africa, that she felt "she was leaving something of herself behind" hints at a return visit. Ages 8-up.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. In A Rat's Tale (1999), Montague Mad-Rat saves his vast colony of fellow New York rats from human destruction and wins the heart of the lovely Isabel. In this epic follow-up, Isabel's former suitor, Randal, scorns her marriage. When a horrible fire destroys the newlyweds' home, Randal becomes the prime suspect, and he escapes through the city's parks and sewers, plotting revenge against family and friends who believe him capable of such a crime. His plans to ruin his community are upset when he falls in love with a gorgeous rat who shares his interests; she's the cousin of loathsome Montague. As in the first title, Seidler creates an elaborate world with a skillful mix of fantasy and realism. Puns, hilarious character foils, and plenty of satire provide humor as Seidler raises some disturbing, relevant questions about retribution and violence, balancing them with a reassuring "love saves all" message. An engrossing, wholly realized adventure. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition (September 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374362572
• ISBN-13: 978-0374362577
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,161,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Revenge of Randal Reese-Rat by Tor Seidler, April 12, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Revenge of Randal Reese-Rat (Hardcover)

This is the perfect book for all you rodent lovers out there. Montague and Isabelle Mad-Rat are living in paradise in their new crate on wharf 62. But when it's mysteriously burned down on their wedding night, Isabelle's ex-fiancé, Randal Reese-Rat, is the prime suspect. This book is full of surprises, adventure, and suspense. Tor Seidler's style of writing is so unique it is almost impossible to describe. He writes so that everything falls together perfectly and it has a real ring to it. I would recommend The Revenge of Randal Reese-Rat to anybody, even if you despise rats.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good sequel, July 2, 2006

By 

Mari-Janet "MJ" (Western Mass., USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Revenge of Randal Reese-Rat (Paperback)

In A Rat's Tale, I wrote off Randal as being somewhat of a snooty bore. In this book, however, we learn that Randal isn't such a bore after all. He has a secret interest that absolutely does not conform with what his society would approve of. And to add to his need for secrecy, he is blamed for a crime he doesn't commit. I felt sorry for him, being chased and having to hide, but the experience matures him so that he's ready to embrace a life changing decision. My favorite character was Maggie as I'm a singer, too. Elizabeth, the world traveler, is also an interesting character that the reader gets to spend some time with.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lively story, October 17, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Revenge of Randal Reese-Rat (Hardcover)

Randal Reese-Rat is jealous of Montague Mad-Rat, who has saved the wharf rats of New York and won the girl of his dreams. When disaster strikes Montague, Randal is the prime suspect and he plans revenge on the entire rat colony - until an exotic female rat enters his life. Intriguing black and white drawings by Brett Helquist pepper this lively story.