If anyone can take the common themes of a story and turn them inside out, it’s Terry Pratchett, best known for his long-running Discworld series. In this book, he takes the classic Pied Piper story, and takes it where it’s never gone before: into the mind of the rats. Imagine, if you will, that not only are the rats and the piper in cahoots, but the true brains of the operation is a talking cat, most assuredly not Puss in Boots. These rats are smart and cunning, capable of talking, using tools, recognizing poisons and disarming traps, and dreaming for a better future. The piper’s just a kid along for the chance to play his music. And Maurice, the cat, is having a severe identity crisis regarding proper catlike behavior versus loyalty to his companions. They’ve got a great scam going, working it from town to town, collecting the reward and moving on before anyone catches on. Then they come to the town of Bad Blintz, and everything’s thrown into disarray. All the normal rats are missing, yet local rat-catchers do a hefty business. Something dark and disturbing, born of hatred and fear and mistreatment, capable of controlling minds, dwells under the city. It’s up to Maurice, the piper, the rats (who think of themselves as Changelings, made that way after eating some wizardly rubbish – now ask yourself how the cat Changed…), and their new friend, Malicia Grim (whose grandmother and great-aunt were the noted authors, the Sisters Grim, giving Malicia quite the insight into fairy tales) to unravel the mystery before it devours them all. If they succeed, it’s easy street for everyone. If they fail, they’ll find out what form Death takes for rats. (Hint: SQUEAK, for you Discworld fans).
This is a brilliant, thoroughly enjoyable take on an old story, possessing all of Pratchett’s usual humor and remarkable sophistication not only for the Discworld books (in my previous experience) but for young adult books in general. It never loses sight of the material it’s inspired by, and manages to incorporate a metatextual thread without completely losing all credibility. I was sucked in by the narrative, and quite pleased overall by the end results. Pratchett’s in fine form, as sly and clever and wickedly self-aware as ever. The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents is worth looking at.