Any fans of the books out there?

Greetings!

Okay, this is kinda spontanious, but hey, it might just be interesting. :wink:

For those of you that have read the books (or at least one of them), who's your favorite character (from the books, not the movie), and why?

As for me, my favorite book character is:

Christopher - because, uhm, I dunno I just kinda relate to his personality.
(Gah - I need to read those books again!)

I'm really interested in what everyone has to say on this topic. . :)

--Tzolkin
ﺶﺞﻚﷲ

Isabella.

I like her because she's a ditsy 'teenage' rat with a crush on Justin. They so should have had that character in the movie somehow. It makes alot more sense than that subtle thing they had going on between him and Mrs. Frisby.

Agreed Grizzly Coon,
Even tho her brother calls her Izzy, she knew a fair amout to be sure and to find out if Mrs frisby was not a spy(in a young ones kind of way), and when Justin came in to the room she seemed to "lose it" and her papers would almost fall to the floor again :D

Hmm... toughie.

If we're limited to only the first book, and excluding any character that is in both the movie and the book... Well, that pretty much leaves only Isabella. Arthur's just another rat, really, and aside from those two, there really isn't anyone else. Well, Dr. Schultz and his assistants, I suppose, but honestly, who on earth lists them as their favorites?

Expanding it to the book sequels, I'd agree on Christopher. No specific reason, I think, though I'll admit that he's the major reason I finished R-T, Margaret and the Rats of NIMH. Margaret was way too whiny throughout the book.

Incidentally, am I the only one who thinks the new book covers for the books were designed to keep them from selling? Honestly, what were they thinking, dressing up Timothy in overalls and a farmer's hat? At least they didn't change the illustrations on the inside; those are one of my favorite things about the book sequels.

Well, Dr. Schultz and his assistants, I suppose, but honestly, who on earth lists them as their favorites?

IMO, the assistants weren't really bad. They, at least, show a little kindness to NIMH/Shultz's victims.

Expanding it to the book sequels, I'd agree on Christopher. No specific reason, I think, though I'll admit that he's the major reason I finished R-T, Margaret and the Rats of NIMH. Margaret was way too whiny throughout the book.

I strongly agree in that regard. . .

Incidentally, am I the only one who thinks the new book covers for the books were designed to keep them from selling? Honestly, what were they thinking, dressing up Timothy in overalls and a farmer's hat?

Nope. . I was thinking that might also be the reason for the poor design of the new cover art for the movie. It only goes to prove, however, that you really can't judge a book by its cover.

--Tzolkin
ﺶﺞﻚﷲ

Here’s an ancient topic for revival. In scouring through the forum I’ve only found two that seem specifically geared toward discussion of the book series. Ergo…I thought I’d bring up some things about the first sequel, “Racso and the Rats of NIMH” that bugged me a little. This isn’t intended to be a full-on review, but here goes

Starting with the first chapter, there were things I found odd or questionable. Mainly why is Timothy (apparently) the only one of the Frisby children attending the rats’ school? It’s never stated that the others did, or why they didn’t. It doesn’t seem to be an issue at all, as if Timothy is the only one who needed an education.

That’s great about Martin and Breta (Hi, Pennsy) but we don’t really get to meet them, or see what their life together is like. It’s hinted they have children later on, or may even have them from the first chapter, but that’s all.

Also, though it’s three years after the events of the first book, their mother is still alive and well, and is never referred to as being in decline, after there being such an issue made of the aging difference between her and Jonathan.

And if Isabella is three years older, how come she's still treated as if she’s still little more than a child?

And yes, putting Timothy in the coveralls and straw hat on the cover of the (first?) HarperCollins edition was ridiculous.

There were things I liked about the book too—more later!

I read Racso and started on R-T but lost intrest after the first few chapters.

To me these two books are really nothing more than glorified fan fiction. I liked Racso and the rats of NIMH except I didn't really care for the character Racso. He's just a bit to much, if that makes sense.

And why add original characters, than center your story around them? What was wrong with Mrs. Frisby and her children? I wanted to read more about them, you know, the characters from the first book!

Why were these made at all? I suspect it was a publicist' idea.

I liked Racso and the Rats of NIMH, mostly because Mrs. Frisby played a bigger role in it than Mrs. Brisby did in Timmy to the Rescue. But then again, even all the bad parts of the Star Wars Prequels and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull put together are good compared to Timmy to the Rescue. :roll: (I'll take Jar-Jar Binks over Cecil the Caterpillar any day)

Yeah, the three years after the first book is ridiculous, especially since a mouse's natural lifespan is four years, tops. Mrs. Frisby would've either been dead or very, very, very nearly dead by that point.

I didn't mind Racso all THAT much, though there are definitely times where he makes you want to rip out your hair. ("You have two pens! Why can't I have one of them?" :cry:)

Martin and Breta was absolutely my favorite part of the book, though as David pointed out, we don't get much insight into it. :x


Moving on to RT-Margaret, I read through that one, too, as I was used to Racso by that point. He and Isabella apparently became a couple, which I didn't mind, either. The ending really got me. I got the same reaction from that that I got from listening to Flying Dreams: http://www.kennydrew.com/indy/images/13%5B1%5D.gif[" alt=""/img] [img="]http://www.graphicsgrotto.com/emoticons/sick/images/emsick1.gif[" alt=""/img]

I would question the rats' ability to talk to Artie and Margaret, though. I was imagining when I saw the cover that the Rats would write messages to them, but nope. They can talk, they're bigger than normal rats, these truly are the Rats of NIMH: Narnian Immigrants for Margaret's Hearing. :P


Overall, I don't think the books were so bad. But you're right, they definitely could've been better.

Steven

Deer mice can live up to 5 years, but field mice are very lucky to make it up to 3 years. In all honesty, they're lucky to last 3 months because of the predators and dangers they will be facing. Perhaps being with Jonathan gave her unnatural long life.

Deer mice can live up to 5 years, but field mice are very lucky to make it up to 3 years. In all honesty, they're lucky to last 3 months because of the predators and dangers they will be facing. Perhaps being with Jonathan gave her unnatural long life.

Hmm... Maybe she lost some blood before he died and he gave her some of his. [shrugs]

Steven

Deer mice can live up to 5 years, but field mice are very lucky to make it up to 3 years. In all honesty, they're lucky to last 3 months because of the predators and dangers they will be facing. Perhaps being with Jonathan gave her unnatural long life.

Hmm... Maybe she lost some blood before he died and he gave her some of his. [shrugs]

Steven

Eh....It's a children's book, best not to think too much about it.

You can do what Grandpa Leemy did and have the treatment pass over sexually. I find this a little too convenient, but I'll let it slide. How could a normal mouse do half of what Mrs. Brisby is able to do anyway? I kinda would've preferred if he kept the aging difference in as a sort of conflict in the relationship, but it's not my story.

Deer mice can live up to 5 years, but field mice are very lucky to make it up to 3 years. In all honesty, they're lucky to last 3 months because of the predators and dangers they will be facing. Perhaps being with Jonathan gave her unnatural long life.

While everything you said may be true. I think the real question that should be asked is: How long is the average lifespan of a field mouse in this universe.

Deer mice can live up to 5 years, but field mice are very lucky to make it up to 3 years. In all honesty, they're lucky to last 3 months because of the predators and dangers they will be facing. Perhaps being with Jonathan gave her unnatural long life.

While everything you said may be true. I think the real question that should be asked is: How long is the average lifespan of a field mouse in this universe.

Well, Mrs. Frisby was alive for at least two years in the first book, and was still well three years later in Racso. So at least five years. Perhaps maybe six or seven.

Steven

I mentioned on another post how I liked the contrast between Nicodemus’s “I am not a hero” speech to Racso and the whole hero-training bit with Timothy (or Specimen F-5) in “NIMH II.” The overall plot of “Racso,” saving the valley from being flooded by the dam project, certainly has “Timmy to the Rescue” beat by a country mile and really should have been the basis for the movie “sequel.”

Regarding Mrs. F’s unnaturally long life I’ve never exactly racked my brain over it, having tended to favor the movie’s plotline. I agree that, on the one hand, these are primarily children’s books and one shouldn’t rack his brain over it; on the other hand, it’s a little condescending to suggest that no one in the target audience is going to bring the matter up. Not that I’m suggesting that anyone in this forum is being condescending. At any rate, it’s not a huge deal; we can just figure that in this fictional world, mice do have naturally longer lives, and let it go at that. I’ve fudged those figures a bit in my stories, though I don’t have it go as long as the Conly version.

The things an ordinary(?) mouse such as Mrs. F shouldn’t be able to do aren’t as easily overlooked, though. Another point I’ve brought up before is how she’s able to understand human speech and the implications of the Fitzgibbons’ conversation about NIMH’s arrival. And this goes back to the O’Brien version!

Pennsylvania Jones wrote “I would question the rats' ability to talk to Artie and Margaret, though. I was imagining when I saw the cover that the Rats would write messages to them, but nope. They can talk, they're bigger than normal rats, these truly are the Rats of NIMH Narnian Immigrants for Margaret's Hearing.”

Brilliant! Wish I'd thought of that one! Actually, that could be the basis for another crossover... But I agree that they shouldn’t have been able to talk to each other. It was never stated that the rats had developed a more humanlike larynx or otherwise be able to speak like humans and so be able to communicate directly with them. This is something else I’ve fudged on in my stories, that they can’t speak precisely like humans, but can still read, write and understand and communicate with one another in English.

“They (the book sequels) definitely could've been better.” Seconded!

But I agree that they shouldn’t have been able to talk to each other. It was never stated that the rats had developed a more humanlike larynx or otherwise be able to speak like humans and so be able to communicate directly with them. This is something else I’ve fudged on in my stories, that they can’t speak precisely like humans, but can still read, write and understand and communicate with one another in English.

I actually don't find it too farfetched that they could communicate with humans vocally, they would just need a device to enhance the volume of their voice and the speed of their voice so that humans would be able to hear them. If their brain chemistry got changed as a result of the NIMH experiments so much so that they can learn to read, write, and listen to human speech, then being able to mimic human speech wouldn't be that hard. Think of it like a baby learning how to say "mama." Again, I know that their voice boxes aren't made to communicate with humans, but with technology it could happen methinks.

Then again, this is fiction; rats and mice having human-like personalities, emotions, and such is already farfetched and absurd. So it all depends on how far you're willing to suspend your disbelief.

On a related subject, there’s this

http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g8qUok9BFM

Keep in mind that porcupines are rodents, too.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: 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Steven

On a related subject, there’s this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g8qUok9BFM

Keep in mind that porcupines are rodents, too.

I was amused.