Racso and the Rats of NIMH
Encyclopedia
Racso and the Rats of NIMH is the 1986 sequel
to the popular book, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
, written by Jane Leslie Conly
. It continues where the previous book left off.
In Racso and the Rats of NIMH, the Rats of NIMH have developed a self-sustaining community in Thorn Valley, where they are completely isolated from humanity. Timothy Frisby, the youngest son of Mrs. Frisby, travels from his family's home to Thorn Valley. (Although his mother is an ordinary mouse, Timothy has inherited the extremely high intellect and long lifespan of his father, NIMH escapee Jonathan.) During his trip, Timothy meets Racso, the son of Jenner (a rat of NIMH introduced in first book who is widely considered to be a traitor). Timothy and Racso arrive at Thorn Valley, but while Timothy integrates and begins receiving the same accelerated education as the rat children, Racso, coming from a colony of savage urban rats, has trouble adjusting to life in a cultured town of rodents. Racso is also burdened by his family history, as his father deserted the rats' previous colony, placing them in danger of extinction. Life in Thorn Valley is suddenly threatened when humans begin planning to build a dam there, flooding the entire area. Racso, Timothy, and the entire rat colony must observe and sabotage the dam construction before the valley is underwater.
A review from the University of Chicago's Center for Children's books states that, "Conly has completely mastered the bucolic tone of the first book", and that "Characterizations all around are more detailed than in O'Brien's book".
-winning book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
by Jane Leslie Conly's late father, Robert C. O'Brien
. Conly wrote her sequel long after O'Brien's death in 1973, so even though Conly's book attempts to answer many of the open-ended questions posed by the original, it is still Conly's work and not O'Brien's. One of the most anticipated events of the first book was the possibility of Mrs. Frisby's children (Teresa, Martin, Timothy, and Cynthia) having grown up to visit the rats themselves and partake in adventures of their own. Within this book, however, only Timothy is shown as having actually left for Thorn Valley. Teresa and Cynthia are still at home, and Martin has started a family of his own. While it ties up this plot point cleanly, many readers criticized this, feeling that the other children had had much potential and deserved more exploration. Another answered question from the first book is the subject of Justin, one of the rats who was a major character in the original. In the end of the first story, it is hinted that Justin sacrificed himself when he went back to rescue a fallen rat. However, Conly chose to keep Justin alive and well in the second book.
Another subject in which more information was brought to light was that of Jenner. In the first book it was hinted that Jenner had died, but in an event prior to those of the book. Jenner had disagreed with Nicodemus over leaving the city, and took a group of separatists to start a new colony. In the end of the first book, it is revealed that NIMH had found a number of unusual rats dead, and it is assumed that this is Jenner's group.
However, Jenner, according to the sequel, had in fact managed to escape the fate of the others and start a family of his own. Although he and the few surviving separatists had strong philosophical opposition toward the Thorn Valley group, they kept their distance, still believing that their way of life was better. In the sequel, it is revealed that Jenner had started a family, which Racso happens to be a part of. Jenner later makes a surprise appearance in the story and shows that despite his questionable loyalties, he cares strongly for his son. Some readers feel that the inclusion of Jenner as an antihero was heavily influenced by the film adaptation of the first book, The Secret of NIMH
, in which Jenner played a much more central role than he did in the book. However, Jenner only turns up rarely in the book, mainly in flashbacks, and is killed off-page during the climax.
's film adaptation of the book, The Secret of NIMH
. Examples of this include Jeremy's more whimsical personality and Mrs. Frisby's red
cape.
Despite a few plot similarities Racso and the Rats of NIMH has absolutely no connection to The Secret of NIMHs sequel, The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue
.
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to the popular book, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is a 1971 children's book by Robert C. O'Brien. Illustrated by Zena Bernstein, it won the 1972 Newbery Medal. A film adaptation, The Secret of NIMH, was released in 1982....
, written by Jane Leslie Conly
Jane Leslie Conly
Jane Leslie Conly is an American author, the daughter of author Robert C. O'Brien. She started her literary work by finishing the manuscript for her father's Z for Zachariah in 1975 after his death. Her first own book, Racso and the Rats of NIMH, was published in 1986, and is a sequel to her...
. It continues where the previous book left off.
In Racso and the Rats of NIMH, the Rats of NIMH have developed a self-sustaining community in Thorn Valley, where they are completely isolated from humanity. Timothy Frisby, the youngest son of Mrs. Frisby, travels from his family's home to Thorn Valley. (Although his mother is an ordinary mouse, Timothy has inherited the extremely high intellect and long lifespan of his father, NIMH escapee Jonathan.) During his trip, Timothy meets Racso, the son of Jenner (a rat of NIMH introduced in first book who is widely considered to be a traitor). Timothy and Racso arrive at Thorn Valley, but while Timothy integrates and begins receiving the same accelerated education as the rat children, Racso, coming from a colony of savage urban rats, has trouble adjusting to life in a cultured town of rodents. Racso is also burdened by his family history, as his father deserted the rats' previous colony, placing them in danger of extinction. Life in Thorn Valley is suddenly threatened when humans begin planning to build a dam there, flooding the entire area. Racso, Timothy, and the entire rat colony must observe and sabotage the dam construction before the valley is underwater.
A review from the University of Chicago's Center for Children's books states that, "Conly has completely mastered the bucolic tone of the first book", and that "Characterizations all around are more detailed than in O'Brien's book".
Connections to previous works
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Racso and the Rats of NIMH is a direct sequel to the Newbery MedalNewbery Medal
The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
-winning book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is a 1971 children's book by Robert C. O'Brien. Illustrated by Zena Bernstein, it won the 1972 Newbery Medal. A film adaptation, The Secret of NIMH, was released in 1982....
by Jane Leslie Conly's late father, Robert C. O'Brien
Robert C. O'Brien
Robert Leslie Conly was an American author and journalist for National Geographic Magazine.-Early life:...
. Conly wrote her sequel long after O'Brien's death in 1973, so even though Conly's book attempts to answer many of the open-ended questions posed by the original, it is still Conly's work and not O'Brien's. One of the most anticipated events of the first book was the possibility of Mrs. Frisby's children (Teresa, Martin, Timothy, and Cynthia) having grown up to visit the rats themselves and partake in adventures of their own. Within this book, however, only Timothy is shown as having actually left for Thorn Valley. Teresa and Cynthia are still at home, and Martin has started a family of his own. While it ties up this plot point cleanly, many readers criticized this, feeling that the other children had had much potential and deserved more exploration. Another answered question from the first book is the subject of Justin, one of the rats who was a major character in the original. In the end of the first story, it is hinted that Justin sacrificed himself when he went back to rescue a fallen rat. However, Conly chose to keep Justin alive and well in the second book.
Another subject in which more information was brought to light was that of Jenner. In the first book it was hinted that Jenner had died, but in an event prior to those of the book. Jenner had disagreed with Nicodemus over leaving the city, and took a group of separatists to start a new colony. In the end of the first book, it is revealed that NIMH had found a number of unusual rats dead, and it is assumed that this is Jenner's group.
However, Jenner, according to the sequel, had in fact managed to escape the fate of the others and start a family of his own. Although he and the few surviving separatists had strong philosophical opposition toward the Thorn Valley group, they kept their distance, still believing that their way of life was better. In the sequel, it is revealed that Jenner had started a family, which Racso happens to be a part of. Jenner later makes a surprise appearance in the story and shows that despite his questionable loyalties, he cares strongly for his son. Some readers feel that the inclusion of Jenner as an antihero was heavily influenced by the film adaptation of the first book, The Secret of NIMH
The Secret of NIMH
The Secret of NIMH is a 1982 animated film directed by Don Bluth in his directorial debut. It is an adaptation of Robert C. O'Brien's 1971 children's novel Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. The film was produced by Aurora Pictures and released by United Artists. While released to critical acclaim,...
, in which Jenner played a much more central role than he did in the book. However, Jenner only turns up rarely in the book, mainly in flashbacks, and is killed off-page during the climax.
The Secret of NIMH
The book sequel seems to be subtly influenced by Don BluthDon Bluth
Donald Virgil "Don" Bluth is an American animator and independent studio owner. He is best known for his departure from The Walt Disney Company in 1979 and his subsequent directing of animated films such as The Secret of NIMH , An American Tail ,The Land Before Time , and All Dogs Go to Heaven ,...
's film adaptation of the book, The Secret of NIMH
The Secret of NIMH
The Secret of NIMH is a 1982 animated film directed by Don Bluth in his directorial debut. It is an adaptation of Robert C. O'Brien's 1971 children's novel Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. The film was produced by Aurora Pictures and released by United Artists. While released to critical acclaim,...
. Examples of this include Jeremy's more whimsical personality and Mrs. Frisby's red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
cape.
Despite a few plot similarities Racso and the Rats of NIMH has absolutely no connection to The Secret of NIMHs sequel, The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue
The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue
The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue is a 1998 American direct-to-video animated film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Animation and the sequel to the 1982 animated film The Secret of NIMH. In the film, Timothy Brisby, the youngest son of Jonathan and Mrs. Brisby, goes to Thorn Valley wanting...
.