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thelizabeth 's review for:
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
by Robert C. O'Brien
Needed a reread like wow. Picked up a copy for myself as a present this month. I loved this book when I read it as a young kid, and I kept it for a long time (it looked like this) because I knew "I've gotta reread this someday!" But I guess it had to wait until 2010. Sorry, self.
It's still pretty great. I remembered a lot about it. Though how could you forget a book with a character with a name as amazing as Nicodemus. A name so good it creates brain cells just for remembering it.
This story is a really interesting genre blend. There's the animal protagonist children's fantasy, plus the science fiction background story that, really, is extremely realistic. Does it even count as sci-fi? I guess it must, because it isn't real? But it's not for show. No crazy gadgets, nothing that doesn't exist, except the catalyst for the story. And the Frisby family may be a bit more fictionally "nuclear" than real mice are, but they actually live like real mice and enjoy real mouse things. In the text and the original art, they're not even wearing anthropomorphic clothes. (C'mon, cover.) It's pretty good.
And maybe mice do talk. WHO KNOWS.
The structure is really weird, I noticed, but it's great that it works. It is funny though: In the beginning, there's a problem. Mrs. Frisby has to figure out a plan and be brave. When she gets to the rats, to help her with the plan, suddenly there are 9 chapters of back-story. And then back to finishing the regular story.
And it's great! The back-story was my favorite! And the solution to the story is exciting! It totally works, and not just for the less critical eye of a young reader. It's just also really weird. I had to look to see if Robert O'Brien wrote any prequel-sequels or anything, because he clearly was ready for it. (He didn't; his daughter did. Might read 'em.)
I really enjoyed it, and I'll enjoy it again too. It lacked a tad of a wow factor, now. And it's a little paternalistic in its ideals. (Does Mrs. Frisby get a first name? I don't think so?) But I'd definitely give it to a great kid. The enthusiasm would be five stars, no question.
It's still pretty great. I remembered a lot about it. Though how could you forget a book with a character with a name as amazing as Nicodemus. A name so good it creates brain cells just for remembering it.
This story is a really interesting genre blend. There's the animal protagonist children's fantasy, plus the science fiction background story that, really, is extremely realistic. Does it even count as sci-fi? I guess it must, because it isn't real? But it's not for show. No crazy gadgets, nothing that doesn't exist, except the catalyst for the story. And the Frisby family may be a bit more fictionally "nuclear" than real mice are, but they actually live like real mice and enjoy real mouse things. In the text and the original art, they're not even wearing anthropomorphic clothes. (C'mon, cover.) It's pretty good.
And maybe mice do talk. WHO KNOWS.
The structure is really weird, I noticed, but it's great that it works. It is funny though: In the beginning, there's a problem. Mrs. Frisby has to figure out a plan and be brave. When she gets to the rats, to help her with the plan, suddenly there are 9 chapters of back-story. And then back to finishing the regular story.
And it's great! The back-story was my favorite! And the solution to the story is exciting! It totally works, and not just for the less critical eye of a young reader. It's just also really weird. I had to look to see if Robert O'Brien wrote any prequel-sequels or anything, because he clearly was ready for it. (He didn't; his daughter did. Might read 'em.)
I really enjoyed it, and I'll enjoy it again too. It lacked a tad of a wow factor, now. And it's a little paternalistic in its ideals. (Does Mrs. Frisby get a first name? I don't think so?) But I'd definitely give it to a great kid. The enthusiasm would be five stars, no question.