- Hardcover: 192 pages
- Publisher: Scholastic Press; First Edition edition (23 May 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0439978157
- ISBN-13: 978-0439978156
- Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 14.4 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 838,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
When a petty thief falls through a glass roof trying to escape the police what should have been the death of him marks the beginning of a whole new life. For he is chosen as a medical guinea pig for the Scientific Society, where he comes into some very interesting information - a map of Sir Joseph Bazalgette's new sewage system. Memorising the system and adopting the affectations of the rich young gentlemen of the Society, the thief uses his knowledge to become the most elusive burglar in Victorian London. From now on, he will have two identities: Scarper - servant and sewer-rat, robbing jewels and making his escape by the underground labyrinth that lies beneath London - and Montmorency - fashionable, wealthy gentleman. But Montmorency's new existence is fraught with danger - can he pull off the transformation and keep his secret safe...?
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First Sentence
The pain woke him again. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
The pain woke him again. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After I had read a chapter or two to my 9-year old, he asked whether the eponymous central character (certainly nothing like the stereotypical hero) was a child. We realised that unlike virtually all modern writing for children there is not a single child/teenager character in this book. And it doesn't matter at all. The snobbery, brutal inequality, filth and chaos of Victorian London is depicted in a way that remains fresh, yet the pace of the plot is never lost.
It's a perfect book to read to a child. Lots to talk about (the brutality of life in Wandsworth prison), not patronising (visits to La Traviata at the Opera House with the landlady and her daughter turning tricks outside or a foray into Balkan intrigue) - we were both sorry when we turned the final page.
Far more than a reworking of Jekyll and Hide, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a page turner, both exciting and humourous the central character being more complex and interesting than would be expected of a children's book due to his two personalities. Although classed as a childrens book this book is definately as enjoyable at 17 as it was when i first read it at about 14. Despite his beginnings as a criminal you can't help but root for Montmorency and the vivid images of victorian life the book creates are facinating. The short chapters and pacy style make it a book that is hard to put down as you just "read the next chapter - oh and the next!!" I for one was delighted when i found there was another book in the series!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There seems to be a penchant for sewer-as-highway fiction at the moment, but no matter, this is absolutely one to read. I bought it for my eight year old as part of her read-a-million words project because I had seen it reviewed on the first edition of Blue Peter I had seen in years. It was roundly recommended by the jury of children, though I thought it might be a little old for someone of eight. So I thought I would read the first chapter, just to get a feel of it, and see if it would be within her capabilities. I read the whole book in one sitting, which I think qualifies it as a "Page Turner", and yes I think she could cope with it, though it would stretch her - no bad thing. Actually, I think I might just have to read it with her just to make sure she doesn't get stuck, but as she is about to undergo an operation I think I might leave it a while as I don't think she will take kindly to the doctor character!
Fast paced without too much detail, this is unusal enough to engage the imagination of a wide range of readers. I really must check out the sequel......
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Montmorency
MontmorencyI bought this for my daughter, howver when I picked it up I could not put it down. Well written, just a very good read.
Published on 20 May 2010 by Barbara Mills
Welcome relief from Hogwarts
Take a trip into the back alleys and sewers of Victorian England with a common thief who comes up with a brilliant way of stealing from the aristocracy. Read more
Published on 16 Jun 2009 by susie
Good start but weak finish
really good summer read. keeps up its pace almost throughout the book until the ending. I thought the end dragged and it lost its pace as well as my will to carry on reading it.
Published on 5 Sep 2008
An excellent book
Fantastically written, and wonderfully observational. I loved the characters of Montmorency and Scarper. Read more
Published on 4 Jun 2008 by Living Goddess
Difficult to classify but an excellent read
It's difficult to work out which age group this book's aimed at. Children under 10 may be put off by the complexities of the plot whilst children over 10 may be put off by the fact... Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2007 by quippe
Involving
This book is set in the Victorian times, and features an anonymous character who adopts the name of Montmorency. Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2004 by Migratory
What a nice suprise.
Having been persuaded to read a 'children's' book by my wife I found I could not put it down.
The language and style take you deep into the bowels, literally and figurativley, of... Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2003 by Je Whitehead
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