| One night a strange little boy shows up at the door of elderly Bob the Cobbler and his wife Joan, who is a washerwoman. The strange kid is nice and obliging, but he doesn't know his name and insists "I was a rat." He says he is only 3 weeks old. The couple take him in and name him Roger, but the boy clearly knows nothing about table manners, not tearing up his bedclothes, or much else about proper human behavior. Placed in school, he eats the pencils. The Philosopher Royal hears about Roger and tests him, but the irritated boy runs away and ends up a freak exhibit in "Professor" Oliver Tapscrew's street show. Busted out by a boys' street gang, Roger gets in trouble with the law, hides in the sewers, and eventually ends up on trial as a "monster" destined for execution while Bob and Joan search for him. Roger's fate will ultimately hinge on the actions of Lady Aurelia Ashington, the mysterious girl that playboy Prince Richard has taken for his bride. This is another delightful fantasy tale for children by the marvelous Philip Pullman. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - humorous or laughable FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy story on current Earth Lifeform altered? Yes Kind of alteration: Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14) Cultural problems, alien culture Yes Culture clash- - feelings as an alien growing up among humans Descript. of chases or violence - 20 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - a kid Main Adversary Identity: - society How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a substantial amount How sensitive is this character? Setting Earth setting: - 19th century Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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