The Coachman Rat

by David Henry Wilson

Tells the story of Cinderella from the point of view of Robert, a rat who is turned into the coachman for one night--yet after he returns to his animal form, he retains his power of speech, and a chain of surprising events follows

Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Fiction, Cinderella, Fairy Tale Retellings, Young Adult Fantasy, Retellings

218 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Mir]

The Cinderella story as told from the point of view of one of the transformed rat coachmen. A decent book, but don't pick it up expacting a light, amusing diversion: things go badly for everyone.

[J]

This was one of those books that I read the summary and was confused by what it was really about it. Honestly for the one who enjoys fairytales, especially the darker versions, I would recommend this story to be read. Thankfully I took a chance on it and it is one of the books that I have been able to add to my higher collection.

The story is a intriguing blend of "Pied Piper" with "Cinderella", which is an unusual combination within itself but it works. The story is breathtaking and full of suspense while also grounding the two fairytales that even with magic it makes you wonder why you haven't thought of fairytales within backgrounds of their time.

The main characters have an intriguing life of their own although a few like the Princess Amadea were a bit flat for their secondary roles. Others were devious, kind-hearted or like our protagonist so human that it makes you wonder he was even a rat to begin with. And you can immerse yourself with the human elements of the story - emotions, motives, ambitions, etc - that you know the author had a good grasp of the human mind.

The best part of the story for me is the way that it is written for it reminds me of Felix Salten's "Bambi" - novel and philosophy combined beautifully. Will definitely be returning to read this again.

[Melanti]

This is easily the weirdest fairy tale retelling I've read in a long, long time.

It's nominally a retelling of "Cinderella" from the point of view of the rat who drove the coach, though the "Cinderella" portion is over by the end of the second chapter. After the midnight ball, the coachman's mind is still that of a human though his body is that of a rat. Most of the rest of the novel is filled with musing over what it means to be human and humanity in general.

Very dark and strange.

[Krystal]

In revisiting my thesis, I remembered this book! a rather dark retelling of Cinderella but has its good points. It is one of the more unique revisions I've read but don't come here looking for a modern Cinderella, she's pretty passive so that the rat can tell his story.

[Marina]

Qué libro más extraño.

[Papa Dadzie]

I recommend to everyone to read it.

[Solim]

A retelling of a fairy tale but with a dark twist. Grim in many places throughout the story.

[Leah]

Certainly as gruesome as any tale by the Brothers Grimm, maybe even more so. Filled with melancholy and misanthropy. NOT for those seeking fluffy fairy-tale retellings.

The Coachman Rat used the tale of Cinderella as a way to explore the cruelty and selfish motives of man, what is "good" and what is "evil", what it means to be human, and what differentiates man from animal and animal from man. From the beginning I had a sense of foreboding that the rat's story would not end well, and was I ever right! Greed, ambition, ignorance, hate and murder abound.

If you banish the notion of happily-ever-afters before reading this book and you're not picky about fairy-tale retellings that wander away from the original(s) early on in the story, you may enjoy The Coachman Rat. I just happen to like exploring the darker themes of fairy tales and nursery rhymes, especially from an otherwise overlooked character's point of view.

4 stars

Footnote: With regard to labels and tags I might consider The Coachman Rat more fantasy inspired by a fairy tale rather than a purist retelling. Perhaps even "reimagined" would be more accurate.

[Victoria]

This marriage of two classic fairy tales - "Cinderella" and "The Pied Piper" - was certainly a fast and entertaining read. In some ways it reminded me of Ratatouille as well (though this 1989 release obviously precedes the film!) and made me wonder if the screenwriters found some inspiration in these pages. This fairy tale mash-up was fun - though it would probably be better for younger audiences. Then again, I suppose you can't really outgrow fairy tales! And while this isn't my favorite re-told fairy tale, it certainly wasn't my least favorite, either. And the whole idea of the story was quite original and well-executed.

[Ramarie]

a twist on the Cinderella tale, told from the point of view of the rat who is transformed into Cinderella's coachman. Once the clock strikes midnight and the coachman returns to being a rat, he desires only to be turned back into a man. Once his wish is granted, he finds that being a man is not as inviting as it seems, and the book becomes a sort of contemplation on the evils of mankind. This title came as a recommendation in the book, Snow White, Blood Red...not particularly impressed with it.

[Mckinley]

What happens to Cinderella's rat and mice that were transformed for her carriage? Hear what follows as the story borrows from another tale, the Piped Piper of Hameln.

What I liked was the totally opposite story developing from the classic tale. It is dark and speaks to power and desire for power corrupting (along with a disappointed suitor). Remember this was written by a man born during the 2 world wars and first published in German in the 1980s and think about the division of that country and their governments.

[Victoria]

I really enjoyed the strange twists that Wilson put into traditional stories that we have all heard over and over again. The tales here are a lot darker and made me think differently about the stories I know so well. I thought it was innovative and different from anything I had read before (and now I've discovered there is a whole world of books like this out there - I'm so happy!)

[Christine]

Wilson presents a dark take on Cinderella in this book. The story is about one of the rats that was transformed for Cinderella's coach and how he stays human. For such a short book, Wilson does a good job in looking at the human condition and what humanity is. This book, however, is dark.

[Arlene Allen]

Ever wonder about those animals transformed into humans to take Cinderella to the ball? Wonder no more. This is a grim, dark retelling of Cinderella (in fact I think she ends up burned as a witch at the end).

[Rebecca]

The Coachman Rat is about the rat who became the coachman in "Cinderella". When he turns back into a rat at midnight, he finds that he still has a human voice. However, he still hates men and decides to wage war against them. I enjoyed this book, even though it was creepy.

[Feérica]

Una curiosa historia sobre la rata cochero del cuento de la Cenicienta. No es un libro para niños aunque lo pueda parecer. Me gustó bastante la idea y buena parte de la historia pero, cuándo pasa a ser solo venganza me aburrí bastante.

[Starryl]

The story of The Coachman Rat deals with the reality of reality.
The existent of rats and their beliefs doesn't exist in the people of this book and some of us too.
But the courage of Robert to face it's magic against science is the one I truly loved.

[Lezlie Gits]

I read this back in 1994. It is now 2020, and I'm not sure there has ever been another book that has stuck with me as vividly this one has. Very dark, very disturbing, and it changed my perception of Cinderella's story forever.

[Cathy]

Robert is a rat who becomes Cinderella's coachman. He tells the story of how things did not turn out "happily ever after."

[Megan]

Dark and disturbing fairy tale. While I didn't like where the story went, I found the narrative believable and the translation was excellent. Do no read if you intend to sleep that night!

[Jordy Alava]

Está disfrazado como un cuento para niños, y tal vez más de la mitad tenga ese ritmo, pero su desenlace es bastante impactante... Definitivamente merece sus cinco estrellas.

[Michael]

Probably my favorite book. This story actually kept me up all night reading it.