Helen Potter lived a happy life until she got lost in a nightmare of sexual abuse. Now she's on a journey that takes her through urban and rural En...
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Nov 11, 2011
Seth
rated it: 
The Tale of One Bad Rat is one of those classics of the medium, one of those books that was an indelible footnote in the quest to prove that comics could be about more than just superheroes and melodrama. Whether Bryan Talbot's intent or not, One Bad Rat became one of the arguments for comics being a medium of communication worth the same level of serious consideration as literature. Or if not literature, then at least the same sober reflection that cinema could garner. In a way, that's kind of
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Sep 13, 2009
Brenton
rated it: 
A young woman, Helen, flees her cruel, cold stepmother and her sexually abusive father, becoming a ward of the streets. Following the trail of Beatrix Potter, her favorite author, Helen survives drunken statesmen, police, squatter houses, and opportunistic "good" Samaritans, at last reaching her promised land in the countryside and finding healing there.
This hits a bit close to home, as several people close to me have histories that mirror portions of this book: sexual ass More...
This hits a bit close to home, as several people close to me have histories that mirror portions of this book: sexual ass More...
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Feb 10, 2011
Jen
rated it: 
Considering the subject matter of this book, I feel the story is very well thought out and very powerful. It definitely does a very good job of helping to get the message across about the subject of sexual abuse and the effect it has on the child's emotional development.
The story is done in such a way that you can easily relate to the lead character as well, especially if you're a keen artist, despite her difficult circumstances. The comic artwork is clear and well presented, almost More...
The story is done in such a way that you can easily relate to the lead character as well, especially if you're a keen artist, despite her difficult circumstances. The comic artwork is clear and well presented, almost More...
Oct 07, 2009
Becky
rated it:
I got to work this morning and just had to pick up from where I was reading last night. I read some before the students came. I happened to be outside another teacher's room. She looked over my shoulder and commented, "I just think it is so funny that you are reading a comic book at school." I did not have a chance to respond, but if she only knew! Plus, it is a graphic novel. I had to read this book after hearing my classmates talk about it. When I heard it talked about in class, so d
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May 30, 2010
D.M.
rated it:
This is a remarkable book, and Talbot -- as far as I'm concerned -- never topped it. The story, though it may come across as a little pop-psych by its climax, is engaging and the illustration is the best Talbot ever created, lush yet simple at the same time. It is telling that this superb work is worlds away from his usually more sci-fi outings.
If there's a single drawback to reading this, it's that I still feel it'd be a more interesting read were I more (or at all) familiar with the work More...
If there's a single drawback to reading this, it's that I still feel it'd be a more interesting read were I more (or at all) familiar with the work More...
Jul 06, 2010
Christine
rated it:
Helen Potter, a victim of child abuse, is a runaway living on the streets of London. The only trustworthy friend she has is a tame rat, that is, until it is killed by a stray cat. She comes across many shady and violent characters during her trek through the city. Helen’s only comfort now is the “ghost” rat that she talks to. Her journey is leading her to the home of Beatrix Potter, her favorite writer and artist.
This book contains some elements of how (unfortunately) some teenagers More...
This book contains some elements of how (unfortunately) some teenagers More...
Dec 13, 2008
Rachel
rated it:
This was truly a work of art.
I remember my mother wanted to read it back in my childhood, but she never picked up any of the issues. So I was quite excited when I found a battered collection of them at my new library.
Bryan Talbot handles this touching story of childhood lost, molestation, and street living with a realism and humanity that I've not seen from authors before. Most turn their stories into Lifetime movies, almost making caricatures of the people involved. And More...
I remember my mother wanted to read it back in my childhood, but she never picked up any of the issues. So I was quite excited when I found a battered collection of them at my new library.
Bryan Talbot handles this touching story of childhood lost, molestation, and street living with a realism and humanity that I've not seen from authors before. Most turn their stories into Lifetime movies, almost making caricatures of the people involved. And More...
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Nov 06, 2010
Matimate
rated it:
I came across this book in the cheap book store, and knowing works from Bryan Talbot, I grabbed it. The first thing which got me was poor translation in Czech, when I compared it to original. However the translation did not affect the story too much. The main plot line was about young woman named Helen Potter, who was dealing sexual abuse from her father. The story started when she ran away from accompanied by her only friend, small rat. She was talking to her furry friend during her journey to
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Nov 09, 2011
Brenda
rated it:
I'm going to put together a presentation on graphic novels for people who don't think they like graphic novels. This goes on the list.
If you're a person who is around books a lot (librarian... bookseller... bookworm), then I'm sure you recognize that the font and the design of the cover of this book echo Beatrix Potter titles. The book is not about bunnies in a garden, however. It's about a young woman who is sexually abused by her father, runs away (first to London and eventually to More...
If you're a person who is around books a lot (librarian... bookseller... bookworm), then I'm sure you recognize that the font and the design of the cover of this book echo Beatrix Potter titles. The book is not about bunnies in a garden, however. It's about a young woman who is sexually abused by her father, runs away (first to London and eventually to More...
Jun 20, 2011
Laura
rated it:
Helen Potter runs away from home with only her pet rat for company. She likes to draw and copies the work of Beatrix Potter, and finds herself on a journey that mirrors the one that Ms. Potter took many years prior. Along the way, Helen must face what made her run from home in the first place , and overcome it. A coming of age tale that deals with a taboo subject - child sexual abuse and incest - in a very powerful way. There are some circumstances that are a bit contrived which is why I gave 4
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Feb 15, 2011
Somnika
rated it:
La societat es presenta massa sovint com masclista i les dones se senten com a objectes sexuals, un malson on sembla molt difícil escapar d'aquests clixés. Una aberració discriminatòria que impedeix el desenvolupament natural de les ambicions de les dones com a individus independents. En aquest còmic Bryan Talbot, autor amb un llarg currículum, tracta els abusos incestuosos d'un pare a la seva filla i com aquesta deu s'en sortir del trauma psicològic que representa. Un còmic fàcil de llegir salp
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Nov 09, 2011
Theresa
rated it:
Format/Length: Graphic novel; 136 pages
Award(s)/Distinction(s): Eisner Award
Theme(s): Survival, sexual abuse,confronting one's demons/past,change, courage, inner struggles, change, meeting challenges
Review:
This graphic novel brings up very serious issues, sexual abuse and suicidal thoughts, through the main character Helen. Helen was sexually abused by her own father. Besides being wrong by her biological father, it is apparent that Helen was not More...
Award(s)/Distinction(s): Eisner Award
Theme(s): Survival, sexual abuse,confronting one's demons/past,change, courage, inner struggles, change, meeting challenges
Review:
This graphic novel brings up very serious issues, sexual abuse and suicidal thoughts, through the main character Helen. Helen was sexually abused by her own father. Besides being wrong by her biological father, it is apparent that Helen was not More...
Sep 19, 2011
Sam
rated it:
A 16 year old girl called Helen Potter leaves home, running from an abusive father and a mother who doesn't care. She finds herself begging on the streets of London and, along with her pet rat and a bag full of Beatrix Potter books, she begins a journey similar to Potter's out of her horrible situation into a place where she is safe and happy both in mind and body.
Bryan Talbot does a fantastic job depicting the horrors of street life in London. The sprawl, the crazies who are out th More...
Bryan Talbot does a fantastic job depicting the horrors of street life in London. The sprawl, the crazies who are out th More...
Feb 02, 2012
Chy
rated it: 
Okay, let’s see. The basic premise, according to Talbot, was “a homeless girl with a synchronistic link with Beatrix Potter follows Potter’s escape into her new life in the Lakes.” He goes on to admit that having Helen flee sexual abuse at the hands of her father was a plot device to get her homeless, but that it is a common cause of teenage homelessness.
Fine then. So it’s common. That explains the cliché way he dealt with it? I don’t think so.
And I’ll tell y More...
Fine then. So it’s common. That explains the cliché way he dealt with it? I don’t think so.
And I’ll tell y More...
Apr 29, 2008
stephanie
rated it:
i don't exactly know what my recent kick with graphic novels is, but hey, i'm finding some pretty awesome stuff.
i love rats - i'll admit that's why i picked this up in the first place. turns out it's a much more complicated story. helen potter runs away from an abusive home with her pet rat (i almost cried at the stupid cat scenes) and decides to retrace beatrix potter's steps north. it's a very interesting blend of potter's style and talbot's, and i was fascinating by the piece at th More...
i love rats - i'll admit that's why i picked this up in the first place. turns out it's a much more complicated story. helen potter runs away from an abusive home with her pet rat (i almost cried at the stupid cat scenes) and decides to retrace beatrix potter's steps north. it's a very interesting blend of potter's style and talbot's, and i was fascinating by the piece at th More...
Jan 17, 2009
Allanna
rated it:
When you hear "a graphic novel about abuse" ... well, you might not think that it would be an uplifting book.
Au contraire!
Helen, a runaway with her rat and a love of Beatrix Potter, has to work out how to get along in life ... and how to learn to trust and love.
There's a great cast of characters and strong, clear writing.
The abuse is done very ... well, tastefully isn't quite the word that I'm looking for. It's mostly "off-camera" More...
Au contraire!
Helen, a runaway with her rat and a love of Beatrix Potter, has to work out how to get along in life ... and how to learn to trust and love.
There's a great cast of characters and strong, clear writing.
The abuse is done very ... well, tastefully isn't quite the word that I'm looking for. It's mostly "off-camera" More...
Aug 01, 2011
Steve
rated it:
If you have detrimental views of graphic novels as merely comics for children then reading this one should change your mind. The fact that the pictures carry the description of the appearance of the characters and the scenery leaves just the dialogue to carry the story along; and this strengthens the impact here. This tale of a homeless teenager that has fled a sexually abusive father is very moving and really forced home because of – rather than despite – the graphic novel format; thoroughly re
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Feb 06, 2011
Ject
rated it:
El dibujo no es excelente, pero la historia vale la pena de una manera increíble.
Me gustó mucho la forma en que Talbot da a saber la manera en que los personajes se sienten (en particular Helen) dibujando la acción de los sentimientos en el fondo... Simplemente le da una dimensión totalmente nueva al personaje.
Muy buena novelilla gráfica.
****/*****
Me gustó mucho la forma en que Talbot da a saber la manera en que los personajes se sienten (en particular Helen) dibujando la acción de los sentimientos en el fondo... Simplemente le da una dimensión totalmente nueva al personaje.
Muy buena novelilla gráfica.
****/*****
Jan 22, 2012
Matt
rated it:
What a beautiful, excellent story. I'm lucky, in that I've never experienced abuse, nor has anybody I know (to my knowledge), but I'm still grateful that this story exists. Talbot manages to take a subject that's frequently treated tritely, or as shock subject matter, which is too bad, and manages to make it full of pathos, allowing the reader to fully feel for the character. Truly excellent.
Oct 11, 2009
Laura
rated it:
It was pretty good. I snagged it from the library back when the GR library was housed in some huge spacious warehouse by the expressway and railroad tracks. It is somewhat serious drama-heavy, but not too much. Still some light innocence to it despite the dark overtones of abuse and homelessness and plenty of cheerful Beatrix Potter obesssions.
Jun 12, 2011
Whitney
rated it:
I figured this for one of those graphic novels that starts off depressing and gets even more so, but this book actually had an uplifting ending. The art surprised me. I don't like how Bryan Talbot draws people, but his illustrations of the English Lakeside District were beautiful. His story, of a runaway girl dealing with her past of sexual abuse, was meaningful and poignant.
Dec 02, 2011
A
rated it:
I seem to be reading Bryan Talbot's catalog without any regard to chronology or subject matter. But, each book I read moves him higher and higher on the list of authors I love. Talbot weaves England's landscape, history, and literature into the story of a modern teenager's struggle to overcome abuse. A worthy read.
Mar 23, 2010
Bill
rated it:
A beautiful story of a young girl who escapes an abusive father into England's Lake district. I found the story touching, hopeful, and believable. What really grabbed me, I confess, were the gorgeous images of places in the Lake District that I visited ten years ago, like Derwent Water and Honniston Pass. Sigh...
Nov 06, 2011
Happycat
rated it:
I love love love this book. I picked it up at the library and read it. I then had to read it again and again and now I own it. I find that I relate with the main character even though I have never experienced what she has, but I feel like I would have handled her situation in a similar way.
Dec 08, 2009
Ahimaaz
rated it:
My first Tablot read. A quick and fine read. One of those books I will read again and give it to friends to read.
I straightaway watched Miss Potter to learn further about Beatrix Potter, whose life and work the story is inspired by (sans the abuse part), and the landscape the book took me to.
I straightaway watched Miss Potter to learn further about Beatrix Potter, whose life and work the story is inspired by (sans the abuse part), and the landscape the book took me to.
Jul 31, 2011
M
rated it:
Living on the streets, Helen Potter has lost faith in people, thanks to a sexually abusive father an uncaring mother. Slumming with her only friend, a tiny rat, Helen applies her enjoyment of Beatrix Potter to help her finally confront the past she has been running from her entire life.
Jul 30, 2011
M
rated it:
Living on the streets, Helen Potter has lost faith in people, thanks to a sexually abusive father an uncaring mother. Slumming with her only friend, a tiny rat, Helen applies her enjoyment of Beatrix Potter to help her finally confront the past she has been running from her entire life.
Apr 29, 2009
Nicholas
rated it:
A story of a young Helen and her struggles with sexual abuse and homelessness. Very touching and sentimental, an enlighener for young abused women. I thoroughly enjoyed the message, plot, and the art. Very well done. Close connection with Beatrix Potter.
Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter
Dec 04, 2011
Jenn
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Apr 07, 2008
Ollie
rated it:
Boyish-looking Helen runs away from an abusive home to live as a beggar on the streets of London. The only creature she trusts in the whole world is a pet rat she freed from her school's laboratory - a friend who also reminds her of the stories of Beatrix Potter, which she loved as a child and that now serve as a sort of escape route whenever reality gets too rough.
Bryan Talbot's graphic novel is unusual in that it's about child abuse (at a glance, it can even seem like a TV drama t More...
Bryan Talbot's graphic novel is unusual in that it's about child abuse (at a glance, it can even seem like a TV drama t More...
