The Brave Little Toaster
Encyclopedia
The Brave Little Toaster is a novel by Thomas M. Disch
intended for children or as put by Disch, A Bedtime Story for Small Appliances. The story centers on five household appliances—the Lamp (a lamp), the Blanket (an electric blanket
), the Radio (a radio
), the Hoover
(a vacuum cleaner
), and the Toaster (a toaster
)—on their quest to find their owner, referred to as "The Master."
The story first appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (August 1980). Although appearing in a general circulation magazine, the story was written in the style of a children's fable. It was one of the most popular science fiction
and fantasy
stories of the early 1980s, and was nominated for both a Hugo Award
and a Nebula Award
for Best Novella. It also won a Locus Award
, Seiun Award
and British SF Association Award
. It was later published as a book. The Brave Little Toaster was well-received by critics. Anna Quindlen, writing for the New York Times, called it "a wonderful book for a certain sort of eccentric adult. You know who you are. Buy it for your children; read it yourself," and also suggested that the book lacked a clearly defined audience.
Disch said that he was unable to publish the story as a children's book at first, because publishers thought the concept of talking appliances was too “far-fetched”, even after Disch had sold it to Disney as a film; Doubleday finally published it as part of a five-book contract.
In 1987 the novel was adapted by Disch as an animated film. The film contains many differences from the book but is essentially the same story, although the ending differs quite a bit. In the novel, the appliances trade themselves away to an old ballerina who needs them, while in the movie they are reunited with their former master (named Rob in the movie).
Disch later wrote a sequel, The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue. There was also a third film in the series, The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars
, in which the Brave Little Toaster and his companions travel to Mars to stop an invasion from hostile appliances who have a colony there. This too was made into a film.
Toaster. It acts as leader to the others and never gives up hope in the face of danger.
The Tensor Lamp: A lamp that shines a bright light
, but is not very "bright" in intelligence
. In the movie its name is "Lampy".
The Electric Blanket: A shy electric blanket who always needs reassuring. In the movie it's usually called "Blanky".
The Alarm Clock/Radio: A radio that constantly talks about anything of which it can think. It annoys the others by trying to seem intelligent.
The Hoover: A big, strong Hoover
vacuum cleaner. It is said to be grumpy and bossy, but is still a valuable part of the team. In the movie it is renamed "Kirby
".
who can only speak in verse. He mistakes his reflection in the toaster as another flower and falls in love. A similar moment happens in the movie, except that the flower cannot speak.
Harold and Marjorie: A pair of squirrels whom the appliances meet in the forest. They help the blanket out of a tree after being blown away in a storm. They are unable to comprehend the idea of appliances or the fact that they have no gender, although they are fascinated by the blanket's warmth and the toaster's ability to roast acorns.
City Dump Owner: A man who finds the appliances (just as they are about to use his boat to cross a river). He takes them back to the city dump, throwing all of the appliances except the radio into the heap. The toaster plans an escape for them all by having the four of them pretend to be a ghost and scare the man away.
The Master: The former owner of the five appliances, whom they all revere. The appliances eventually learn that he has a mistress, and that they spend their holidays out at sea instead of the cottage because of the woman's hay fever. They also learn that the cottage will be sold and they will each be auctioned off soon. Coming to terms with having fulfilled their duty for the master, they look for a new home where they will be needed and can stay together.
The Ballerina: An old, impoverished ballerina who trades the appliances on a radio show for her kittens.
Thomas M. Disch
Thomas Michael Disch was an American science fiction author and poet. He won the Hugo Award for Best Related Book – previously called "Best Non-Fiction Book" – in 1999, and he had two other Hugo nominations and nine Nebula Award nominations to his credit, plus one win of the John W...
intended for children or as put by Disch, A Bedtime Story for Small Appliances. The story centers on five household appliances—the Lamp (a lamp), the Blanket (an electric blanket
Electric blanket
In the US the electric blanket is a blanket with an integrated electrical heating device usually placed above the top bed sheet. In the UK and Commonwealth, electric blanket commonly refers to an electric mattress pad, which is placed below the bottom bed sheet. Electric blankets usually have a...
), the Radio (a radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
), the Hoover
The Hoover Company
The Hoover Company started out as an American floor care manufacturer based in North Canton, Ohio. It also established a major base in the United Kingdom and for most of the early-and-mid-20th century, it dominated the electric vacuum cleaner industry, to the point where the "hoover" brand name...
(a vacuum cleaner
Vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner, commonly referred to as a "vacuum," is a device that uses an air pump to create a partial vacuum to suck up dust and dirt, usually from floors, and optionally from other surfaces as well. The dirt is collected by either a dustbag or a cyclone for later disposal...
), and the Toaster (a toaster
Toaster
The toaster is typically a small electric kitchen appliance designed to toast multiple types of bread products. A typical modern two-slice toaster draws anywhere between 600 and 1200 W and makes toast in 1 to 3 minutes...
)—on their quest to find their owner, referred to as "The Master."
The story first appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (August 1980). Although appearing in a general circulation magazine, the story was written in the style of a children's fable. It was one of the most popular science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
stories of the early 1980s, and was nominated for both a Hugo Award
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
and a Nebula Award
Nebula Award
The Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
for Best Novella. It also won a Locus Award
Locus Award
The Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet...
, Seiun Award
Seiun Award
The is a Japanese science fiction award for the best science fiction published in Japan during the preceding year, as voted by attendees of the Japan Science Fiction Convention. "Seiun" is the Japanese word for "nebula", but the award is not related to the American Nebula Award. It was named after...
and British SF Association Award
BSFA award
The BSFA Awards are literary awards presented annually since 1970 by the British Science Fiction Association to honor works in the genre of science fiction. Nominees and winners are chosen based on a vote of BSFA members...
. It was later published as a book. The Brave Little Toaster was well-received by critics. Anna Quindlen, writing for the New York Times, called it "a wonderful book for a certain sort of eccentric adult. You know who you are. Buy it for your children; read it yourself," and also suggested that the book lacked a clearly defined audience.
Disch said that he was unable to publish the story as a children's book at first, because publishers thought the concept of talking appliances was too “far-fetched”, even after Disch had sold it to Disney as a film; Doubleday finally published it as part of a five-book contract.
In 1987 the novel was adapted by Disch as an animated film. The film contains many differences from the book but is essentially the same story, although the ending differs quite a bit. In the novel, the appliances trade themselves away to an old ballerina who needs them, while in the movie they are reunited with their former master (named Rob in the movie).
Disch later wrote a sequel, The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue. There was also a third film in the series, The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars
The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars
The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars is the name of both a children's book by Thomas Disch, as well as the film made from same. Both are sequels to the book and film versions of The Brave Little Toaster. The movie was distributed by Walt Disney Home Video. It was released in 1998...
, in which the Brave Little Toaster and his companions travel to Mars to stop an invasion from hostile appliances who have a colony there. This too was made into a film.
Characters
The Toaster: A SunbeamSunbeam Products
Sunbeam Products is an American brand that has produced electric home appliances since 1910. Their products have included the Mixmaster mixer, the Sunbeam CG waffle iron, Coffeemaster and the fully automatic T20 toaster. Sunbeam is owned by Jarden Consumer Solutions after Jarden's acquisition in...
Toaster. It acts as leader to the others and never gives up hope in the face of danger.
The Tensor Lamp: A lamp that shines a bright light
Light
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light has wavelength in a range from about 380 nanometres to about 740 nm, with a frequency range of about 405 THz to 790 THz...
, but is not very "bright" in intelligence
Intelligence
Intelligence has been defined in different ways, including the abilities for abstract thought, understanding, communication, reasoning, learning, planning, emotional intelligence and problem solving....
. In the movie its name is "Lampy".
The Electric Blanket: A shy electric blanket who always needs reassuring. In the movie it's usually called "Blanky".
The Alarm Clock/Radio: A radio that constantly talks about anything of which it can think. It annoys the others by trying to seem intelligent.
The Hoover: A big, strong Hoover
Hoover
Hoover is a surname: Hoover is a variant spelling of the German Huber, a status name for a landowner or a prosperous small farmer.Hoover may refer to:- People :* Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States...
vacuum cleaner. It is said to be grumpy and bossy, but is still a valuable part of the team. In the movie it is renamed "Kirby
Kirby Company
The Kirby Company is a manufacturer of vacuum cleaners and home cleaning accessories, based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is a subsidiary of the Scott Fetzer Company which in turn is part of Berkshire Hathaway. Dealers are located in over 70 countries throughout the world...
".
Other Characters
The Daisy: A daisyBellis perennis
Bellis perennis is a common European species of Daisy, often considered the archetypal species of that name. Many related plants also share the name "Daisy", so to distinguish this species from other daisies it is sometimes qualified as Common Daisy, Lawn Daisy or occasionally English daisy. It is...
who can only speak in verse. He mistakes his reflection in the toaster as another flower and falls in love. A similar moment happens in the movie, except that the flower cannot speak.
Harold and Marjorie: A pair of squirrels whom the appliances meet in the forest. They help the blanket out of a tree after being blown away in a storm. They are unable to comprehend the idea of appliances or the fact that they have no gender, although they are fascinated by the blanket's warmth and the toaster's ability to roast acorns.
City Dump Owner: A man who finds the appliances (just as they are about to use his boat to cross a river). He takes them back to the city dump, throwing all of the appliances except the radio into the heap. The toaster plans an escape for them all by having the four of them pretend to be a ghost and scare the man away.
The Master: The former owner of the five appliances, whom they all revere. The appliances eventually learn that he has a mistress, and that they spend their holidays out at sea instead of the cottage because of the woman's hay fever. They also learn that the cottage will be sold and they will each be auctioned off soon. Coming to terms with having fulfilled their duty for the master, they look for a new home where they will be needed and can stay together.
The Ballerina: An old, impoverished ballerina who trades the appliances on a radio show for her kittens.
Trilogy
- The Brave Little Toaster: A Bedtime Story for Small Appliances, 1980 (magazine publication), 1986 (ISBN 0-246-13080-6 UPC 780246 130808 Grafton Books London) (USA Doubleday & Co.) (book publication) (also later film version)
- The Brave Little Toaster Goes to MarsThe Brave Little Toaster Goes to MarsThe Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars is the name of both a children's book by Thomas Disch, as well as the film made from same. Both are sequels to the book and film versions of The Brave Little Toaster. The movie was distributed by Walt Disney Home Video. It was released in 1998...
, 1988 (also later film version) - The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue, 1999 (film only, no book version)