9780062329523
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The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents audiobook

  • By: Terry Pratchett
  • Narrator: Stephen Briggs
  • Length: 6 hours 35 minutes
  • Publisher: HarperCollins
  • Publish date: November 12, 2013
  • Language: English
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The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents Audiobook Summary

Carnegie Medal Winner * New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age * VOYA Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror * ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults * Book Sense Pick

The Amazing Maurice runs the perfect Pied Piper scam. This streetwise alley cat knows the value of cold, hard cash and can talk his way into and out of anything. But when Maurice and his cohorts decide to con the town of Bad Blinitz, it will take more than fast talking to survive the danger that awaits.

For this is a town where food is scarce and rats are hated, where cellars are lined with deadly traps, and where a terrifying evil lurks beneath the hunger-stricken streets….

Set in Terry Pratchett’s beloved Discworld, this masterfully crafted, gripping read is both compelling and funny. When one of the world’s most acclaimed fantasy writers turns a classic fairy tale on its head, no one will ever look at the Pied Piper–or rats–the same way again!

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The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents Audiobook Narrator

Stephen Briggs is the narrator of The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents audiobook that was written by Terry Pratchett

Stephen Briggs lives in Oxfordshire and has been involved in the world of amateur dramatics for many years. Oxford Studio Theatre Club staged his adaptations of Wyrd Sisters, Mort, Guards! Guards!, and many others. As well as compiling The Discworld Companion, The New Discworld Companion, and, now, Turtle Recall: The Discworld Companion . . . So Far, he has also co-authored the Discworld Diaries, the Mapps, and voices the UK and US Discworld audiobooks.

About the Author(s) of The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents

Terry Pratchett is the author of The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents Full Details

Narrator Stephen Briggs
Length 6 hours 35 minutes
Author Terry Pratchett
Publisher HarperCollins
Release date November 12, 2013
ISBN 9780062329523

Additional info

The publisher of the The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents is HarperCollins. The imprint is HarperCollins. It is supplied by HarperCollins. The ISBN-13 is 9780062329523.

Global Availability

This book is only available in the United States.

Goodreads Reviews

Mario the lone bookwolf

January 22, 2022

Meet a different Pratchett in one of his amazing kid, teen, young adult aimed master fables.The few, not Discworldian, classic tales are written with less of the deeper criticism, but focusing on sense of wonders, some moral subtext, and an easier to understand, direct fun with puns and slapstick comedy.It also shows what happens when an ingenious writer doesn´t just write for young audiences from the beginning of his career, but decides to give it a try after having written extremely complex and subtle fantastic comedy for adults over decades. It´s wonderful, it´s kind of even denser than the Discworld, because there are no longer introspections, dialogues, and philosophizing about ethics, morality, and the nature of good and evil, just easy fun and entertainment.Of course, the one or other depth is there , but it´s easier to spot and understand and the whole work is like a concatenation of the mostly happy, light fantastic elements and actions, the language so smooth, the metaphors so fitting, everything just so perfect only a master like Pratchett could have been able to create.An extra easter egg are the innuendos on kids and young adults literature and movies, some kind of indirect fourth wall break, because the serious, heavy, often boring adult classics Pratchett satirizes in many of his other works are exchanged with the really good kids' stuff. It also shows that even in the, allegedly simple, literature for young bookworms, there is so much potential for remixing, reinterpreting, and retelling that one would wish to get into a time machine to be able to enjoy it once again, or sadly often the first time, with the full immersive pleasure of being young again. Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...This one is added to all Pratchettian reviews:https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheibe... The idea of the dissected motifs rocks, highlighting the main real world inspirational elements of fiction and satire is something usually done with so called higher literature, but a much more interesting field in readable literature, as it offers the joy of reading, subtle criticism, and feeling smart all together.

Ahmad

April 09, 2021

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents (Discworld, #28), Terry PratchettThe Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents is a children's fantasy novel by British writer Terry Pratchett, published by Doubleday in 2001. It is the 28th novel in the Discworld series and the first written for children. The book opens with Amazing Maurice (a sentient cat), a group of talking rats (the Clan), and the human boy Keith travelling in a mail coach to a small town called Bad Blintz. The group plans to enact a scheme they have used many times before, where in the rats pretend to infest the town and Keith poses as a rat piper to lead the "vermin" away for a small sum of cash. Although Maurice sees nothing wrong with this hustling business, the rats find it immoral, and convince Maurice that this town will be the last one they rob. Upon arriving in town, the group discovers that the people are convinced of a massive rat infestation, and have spent much of their savings on two rat catchers. Despite their efforts, food continues to disappear from the town. As the rats move into the town's underground, they discover an overwhelmingly large number of rat traps, but no live keekees (rats who can't talk or think). Aboveground, Maurice makes similar observations, including that many of the rat tails the rat catchers display as proof of their successful hunting are in fact shoelaces. Maurice and Keith meet the mayor's daughter Malicia and introduce her to the talking rats.Malicia believes that the rat catchers are up to something and so she, Maurice, and Keith break into the rat catchers' hut. They discover a great deal of food stolen by the men and large cages when the local keekees are being bred for coursing. The rat catchers return and lock up the humans, taking away the rat leader Hamnpork who had met up with them. Maurice hides and feels a voice trying to enter his mind, inciting a great sense of fear. The rats of the Clan feel it too, and many become so afraid that they all but forget how to think and reason. Dangerous Beans, the rats' spiritual leader, is crushed by the realization that the rats are just mindless animals at heart, and leaves with his assistant Peaches. Darktan, the rats' trap expert, leads a group to rescue Hamnpork, and succeeds after nearly dying in a trap. Hamnpork dies of injuries sustained while fighting in the rat coursing pit, and Darktan reluctantly assumes control of the Clan. ...تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز سی ام ماه ژانویه سال 2021میلادیعنوان: دیسک ورلد (جهان صفحه) کتاب بیست و هشتم، ماوریس شگفت‌انگیز و موش‌های آموزش ‌دیده‌ اش؛ نویسنده: تری پرچت؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان بریتانیایی - سده 21مدیسک ورلد (جهان صفحه)، یک سری از کتابهای فانتزی هستند، که روانشاد «تری پرچت»، نویسنده ی «انگلیسی»، نگاشته ‌اند؛ داستان‌های این سری در جهانی با نام «دیسک‌ ورلد (جهان صفحه)» می‌گذرند؛ که صفحه‌ ای تخت است، و بر شانه‌ های چهار فیل، با هیکلهای بزرگ، قرار دارد؛ این فیل‌ها نیز، به نوبه ی خود، بر روی پشت یک لاک‌پشت غول‌آسا، با نام «آتوئین بزرگ» قرار دارند؛ در این سری از کتابها، بارها از سوژه های کتاب‌های نویسندگانی همچون «جی.آر.آر تالکین»، «رابرت هاوارد»، «اچ پی لاوکرافت» و «ویلیام شکسپیر» به گونه ای خنده دار، استفاده شده ‌است؛از سری «دیسک ‌ورلد» بیشتر از هشتاد میلیون نسخه، در سی و هفت زبان، به فروش رفته‌ است؛ این سری در برگیرنده ی بیش از چهل رمان (تاکنون چهل و یک رمان)، یازده داستان کوتاه، چهار کتاب علمی، و چندین کتاب مرجع، و مکمل است؛ از این سری، چندین رمان تصویری، بازی کامپیوتری، نمایش تئاتر، سریالهای تلویزیونی اقتباس شده ‌است؛ روزنامه ی «ساندی تایمز» چاپ «انگلستان» از این سری به عنوان یکی از پرفروش‌ترین سری کتاب‌ها نام برده، و «تری پرچت» را، به عنوان پرفروش‌ترین نویسنده ی «انگلستان»، در دهه ی نود میلادی دانسته است؛رمان‌های «دیسک‌ورلد» جوایز بسیاری از جمله جایزه «پرومتئوس»، و مدال ادبی «کارنگی» را، از آن خود کرده ‌اند؛ در نظرسنجی «بیگ رید»، که «بی‌بی‌سی» در سال 2003میلادی، در «انگلستان» انجام داد، چهار رمان سری «دیسک‌ورلد»؛ در فهرست یکصد کتاب برتر قرار گرفتند؛ همچنین مردمان «انگلیس»، در این نظرسنجی، چهارده رمان «دیسک‌ورلد» را، در شمار دویست کتاب برتر، دانستند؛ تا کنون، از این سری، چهل و یک رمان، به چاپ رسیده است؛ «تری پرچت» که پیش از درگذشتش؛ در ابتدای سال 2015میلادی، از بیماری «آلزایمر» رنج می‌بردند، اعلام کردند که خوشحال می‌شوند که دخترشان، «ریانا پرچت»، به جای ایشان، به ادامه ی این سری بپردازند؛ تا جلد بیست و ششم رمان این سری، رمان «دزد زمان (2001میلادی)» به دست «جاش کربی»، به تصویر کشیده شده ‌اند، اما نسخه ‌های «آمریکایی»، که انتشارات «هارپرکالینز» آن‌ها را، منتشر کرده، دارای تصاویر روی جلد دیگرگونه ای هستند؛ پس از درگذشت «جاش کربی»، در سال 2001میلادی، نقاشی‌های روی جلد کتاب‌های بعدی این سری، بدست «پائول کربی» کشیده‌ شدندکتابهای اول و دوم: «رنگ جادو»؛ کتاب سوم: «زنان جادوگر»؛ کتاب چهارم: «مرگ»؛ کتاب پنجم: «سورسری (برگردان فارسی جادوی مرجع)»؛ کتاب ششم: «خواهران ویرد»؛ کتاب هفتم: «هرم ها»؛ کتاب هشتم: «نگهبانان! نگهبانان»؛ کتاب نهم: «اریک»؛ کتاب دهم: «تصاویر متحرک»؛ کتاب یازدهم: «مرد دروگر»؛ کتاب دوازدهم: «جادوگران خارج»؛ کتاب سیزدهم: «ایزدان خرد (خدایان کوچک)»؛ کتاب چهاردهم: «لردها و بانوان»؛ کتاب پانزدهم: «مردان مسلح»؛ کتاب شانزدهم: «موسیقی روح»؛ کتاب هفدهم: «اوقات جالب»؛ کتاب هجدهم: «ماسکراد»؛ کتاب نوزدهم: «پاهای خشت (فیت آو کلی)»؛ کتاب بیستم: «هاگفادر»؛ کتاب بیست و یکم: «جینگو»؛ کتاب بیست و دوم: «آخرین قاره»؛ کتاب بیست و سوم: «کارپه جوگلوم»؛ کتاب بیست و چهارم: «فیل پنجم»؛ کتاب بیست و پنجم: «حقیقت»؛ کتاب بیست و ششم: «دزد زمان»؛ کتاب بیست و هفتم: «آخرین قهرمان»؛ کتاب بیست و هشتم: «ماوریس شگفت‌انگیز و موش‌های آموزش‌دیده‌اش»؛ کتاب بیست و نهم: «ساعت شب»؛ کتاب سی ام: «مردان آزاد وی»؛ کتاب سی و یکم: «هنگ بزرگ»؛ کتاب سی و دوم: «کلاهی پُر از آسمان»؛ کتاب سی و سوم: «گوینگ پوستال»؛ کتاب سی و چهارم: «تود!»؛ کتاب سی و پنجم: «وینتراسمیت»؛ کتاب سی و ششم: «بدست آوردن پول»؛ کتاب سی و هفتم: «دانشگاهی‌های نادیدنی»؛ کتاب سی و هشتم: «نیمه‌شب بایست بپوشم»؛ کتاب سی و نهم: «اسنوف»؛ کتاب چهلم: «بالا آمدن مه»؛ کتاب چهل و یکم: «تاج چوپان»؛کتاب بیست و هشتم نوعی داستانهای خنده دار (موش و گربه) است؛ مائوریس گربه ی باهوش، و موشهای صحرایی که توانایی سخن گفتن دارند؛ برای دریافتن ژرفای طنز روانشاد «سر تری پرچت»؛ بایستی با تاریخ و متن کتابهای منتشر شده، فیلمها، مقاله های روزنامه ها، سیاستمداران، بزرگان و دولتمردان، و مردمان و جغرافیای جهان، و افسانه های بگذشته ها؛ و هر آنچه بوده و رخ داده، یا نوشته شده؛ و...؛ باید آشنا باشید؛تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 20/01/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی

Melindam

February 17, 2023

"The important thing about adventures, thought Mr Bunnsy, was that they shouldn't be so long as to make you miss mealtimes.""I suppose there is a Big Cat in the Sky, isn't there?""I'M SURPRISED AT YOU, MAURICE. OF COURSE THERE ARE NO CAT GODS. THAT WOULD BE TOO MUCH LIKE . . . WORK."I am not sure why I did not read this book before now. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I never found the tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin very appealing when I was a child.In retrospect, I should have known better. Terry Pratchett infuses brilliance into the rather unsavory story. You get the "customary" humour, irony, satire, sound judgement & philosophy with extraordinary entertainment value.

Rick

November 08, 2013

Another author I was slow in finding, Pratchett has a wicked and beautifully twisted sense of humor. I would call this book a recrafting of the Pied Piper story, but that really doesn't even begin to describe it. All the characters, human or otherwise, are wonderfully drawn, and the story is well worth your time. Sheesh, this guy is prolific, too. I need to get back to work now!

Trish

September 30, 2019

This was one of the first Discworld novels I've ever read, the German translation back then though. I'm very pleased to report that the reading experience was even better this time - partly because the original is always better, partly because I now understood certain side-stabs and references, which was very rewarding.It's part of The Folklore of Discworld, a version of the Pied Pauper. Maurice, a cat, along with a number of rats has become intelligent to a point where they've learnt human speech. Ever since then, Maurice has done his best to put the rodents (rat is considered a derogative term) to good work so he they can get rich. The trick is fairly simple, playing on human expectations - which is why their last coup doesn't work as they meet a human girl who practically lives fairytales. But that's a good thing, actually, as the town is in trouble and guess who can save everyone.A very cute and funny look at reputations, stories, courage, having a conscience and the love of fairytales.One of my favourite moments probably was towards the end when this song was sung (imagine it being sung to one of the usual military cadences):"We fight dogs amd we chase cats ...... ain't no trap can stop the rats!Got no plague and got no fleas ...... we drink poison, we steal cheese!Mess with us and you shall see ...... we'll put poison in your tea!Here we fight and here we'll stay ...... WE WILL NEVER GO AWAY!"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!And always remember: the best end to a conflict is when no side thinks they've lost - indeed!

lucky little cat

January 22, 2019

IF (like me) you've always been impatient with the Rincewind-heavy volumes of Sir Terry's oeuvre, you're in luck. Civilization begins with the tiniest stepsMaurice is blessedly short on fart jokes* and long on Pratchett's brand of homespun philosophical irony. Maurice is a madly inventive retelling of The Pied Piper, featuring ragged-eared, fast-talking tomcat Maurice as the brains of the outfit. His cronies the rats can talk too, thanks to their hazardous-magical-waste diet amid the trash-heaps behind Unseen University. The book is funny, but more importantly, characters surprise us with their depth. Darktan, the toolbelt-swathed engineering-wizard rat, has a crisis of faith about his role as a leader. Other rats in his Clan are hammering out rules for ethical living, much to sharpster Maurice's disgust. Even the dumb-looking piper kid is starting to give Maurice static about (view spoiler)[scamming the populace with their fake plague of rats. (hide spoiler)]One of my all-time favorite books along with Pratchett's Thief of Time, Nation, and his outstanding Tiffany Aching series beginning with The Wee Free Men.*not that there's anything wrong with fart jokes. But here, they're largely supplanted by tap-dancing rat gags à la vaudeville.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Ushashi

December 31, 2021

Clever and Funny

Bradley

September 29, 2019

Re-read 2019This may be billed as a YA novel by the redoubtable Pratchett, but I'm just going to shrug. It's fun and funny and I will always look at this novel as a sly reference to Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep, including multiple minds linked together to make a full intelligence. No, not wolves. RATS. Such a lovely image. But no, this isn't all this is. Talking rats and one very special talking cat and a stupid-looking boy con their way through Discworld. What more could anyone want? Villains, pied pipers, rats in human skin? Ah! But this is Pratchett and we've got all that and sausages that don't deserve the name sausage.It really is quite delightful. :)No. Not the sausage. The BOOK. :)

Ashley

July 30, 2020

I very much enjoyed Terry Pratchett’s first foray into young adult literature. I know he’s written a handful of YA books (many of them also set in the Discworld), but I wish he had written more. He was very good at it!One thing I loved as a kid, and which I still love now, is when children’s books have darker edges to them. Kids live in this world same as adults. They worry about death and violence and hunger. Like, kids are people, too, and their literature shouldn’t ignore or sugarcoat those aspects of humanity. The best kids and young adult books are always the ones that know this. I guessed going in Pratchett would be that kind of author, and I was right.The Amazing Maurice is a cat, a cat who can talk. His companions are rats, rats who can talk. And think. (It all has to do with a pile of magical refuse they all ate out of at the back of Unseen University in Ankh-Morpork, long story.) What they have chosen to do with their sapience is to befriend a lonely young boy and use him to perpetuate a scam on a bunch of villages, where all the rats invade a town and do rat things (pee on stuff, eat it, etc.) until the village decides to employ the services of a piper who is conveniently in town, at which point all the rats will magically fade away. (This is a twisted take on the Pied Piper tale.)But when they get to a town that already has a rat problem, and things there are very strange, their scheme takes a turn.The best part about this book, aside from criminal talking animals, is the existential crisis all the rats are going through. They all have names like Dangerous Beans and Hamnpork and Sardines, but some rats are smarter and more enlightened than others. So there’s this whole thing about rats learning what it means to be people and not rats that was as moving as it was ridiculous. It also works really well as a contrast against the “villain” of the book, a rat king, which was disgusting, don’t google it it’s a real thing.Even if you haven’t read any other Discworld books, this is worth checking out, especially if you have young readers looking for some reading that’s smart and a bit cheeky.

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