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Fraidy Cats
HONORABLE MENTION: Fraidy Cats – S.S. Wilson 2013 HALLOWEEN BOOK FESTIVAL
You’ve read Mary Shelley’s account (inaccurate).
You’ve seen Hollywood’s many versions (way inaccurate).
Now, at last, you can learn the truth! It’s all revealed in S. S. Wilson’s new, meticulously researched exposé!
Elements of Frankenstein mythology from Mary Shelley to Hollywood are delightfully jumbled together in a fast paced comic adventure set in 19th century Germany.
Wily Rolf and roly-poly Hermann are alley cats with a pretty good life. Using cunning and stealth they easily purloin food from townsfolk and animals alike.
But a routine stop at a local mansion, with intent to steal treats from the owners' pampered dog, runs afoul of two burglars, with intent to steal the owners' jewels.
In the chaos, Hermann inadvertently gobbles a diamond ring. Now the cats are hotly pursued by the murderous thieves and their equally murderous hound (from whom, to be honest, Rolf and Hermann once stole food).
They can't hide forever, and they fear wolves in the surrounding forest, so they try to escape on a sailing ship. But it's guarded by an army of fearsome bilge rats. To get aboard, much to their humiliation, they must strike a bargain with the pack rat leader, promising to bring him a single item to add to his vast collection of junk.
The item is a pocket watch -- worn by Dr. Frankenstein.
Read the first chapter here: http://www.arealdealproductions.com/f...
You’ve read Mary Shelley’s account (inaccurate).
You’ve seen Hollywood’s many versions (way inaccurate).
Now, at last, you can learn the truth! It’s all revealed in S. S. Wilson’s new, meticulously researched exposé!
Elements of Frankenstein mythology from Mary Shelley to Hollywood are delightfully jumbled together in a fast paced comic adventure set in 19th century Germany.
Wily Rolf and roly-poly Hermann are alley cats with a pretty good life. Using cunning and stealth they easily purloin food from townsfolk and animals alike.
But a routine stop at a local mansion, with intent to steal treats from the owners' pampered dog, runs afoul of two burglars, with intent to steal the owners' jewels.
In the chaos, Hermann inadvertently gobbles a diamond ring. Now the cats are hotly pursued by the murderous thieves and their equally murderous hound (from whom, to be honest, Rolf and Hermann once stole food).
They can't hide forever, and they fear wolves in the surrounding forest, so they try to escape on a sailing ship. But it's guarded by an army of fearsome bilge rats. To get aboard, much to their humiliation, they must strike a bargain with the pack rat leader, promising to bring him a single item to add to his vast collection of junk.
The item is a pocket watch -- worn by Dr. Frankenstein.
Read the first chapter here: http://www.arealdealproductions.com/f...
181 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2013
About the author
S.S. Wilson
16 books6 followers S.S. Wilson, screenwriter of such films as Tremors and Short Circuit has just finished his second novel Fraidy Cats. His first novel is Tucker's Monster
S.S. WILSON has always been a storyteller with a love of fantasy. His high school science project was an animated dinosaur that demonstrated the concept of persistence of vision, the “flaw” in human optics which makes movie watching possible.
As a teenager, Wilson made backyard stop-motion animation “epics” with 8mm film and later went on to study film and television at Pennsylvania State University and the USC graduate film program, where he met writing partner Brent Maddock. He and Maddock landed early jobs writing material for animation giants Chuck Jones and Friz Freleng’s television specials featuring the Road Runner and Daffy Duck.
Wilson also wrote a book on special effects stop-motion animation, PUPPETS AND PEOPLE.
In 1983 Wilson and Maddock sold their spec script SHORT CIRCUIT. Directed by John Badham, it was their first produced feature. In quick succession, they wrote SHORT CIRCUIT 2, BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED, GHOST DAD; and served as consultants on Steven Spielberg’s animated THE LAND BEFORE TIME.
In 1990 they sold another spec, TREMORS, on which they also served as producers. Directed by fellow USC alum Ron Underwood and starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Michael Gross and Reba McEntire, the film became a revered cult classic, spawning three sequels and a TV series.
Wilson and Maddock joined with Nancy Roberts (producer of all the Tremors sequels) and Ron Underwood to form Stampede Entertainment in 1992. The first Stampede project was HEART AND SOULS at Universal, starring Robert Downey, Jr.
The TREMORS franchise grew with Wilson debuting as director on TREMORS 2: AFTERSHOCKS for Universal Family Home Entertainment. During the same time period, he and Maddock wrote the green-light draft of Warner Bros. 1999 tent pole release, WILD WILD WEST, starring Will Smith.
In 2001 it was TREMORS 3: BACK TO PERFECTION with Stampede partner Brent Maddock directing and Wilson handling second unit.
2004 saw both the debut of TREMORS: THE SERIES for the Sci-Fi Network (Wilson co-created and co-executive produced with Maddock and Roberts) and TREMORS 4: THE LEGEND BEGINS, with Wilson again at the helm.
Maddock and Wilson continue to write freelance while developing original material for Stampede. In 2007 they wrote THE MARINE MAMMAL PROJECT for Disney and remake of SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT for Universal as well as a book adaptation, THE ADVENTURES OF SLIM AND HOWDY, for Sony BMG.
In addition to screenwriting, Wilson is branching out into fiction. His first book is an action-adventure tale Tucker’s Monster. His second book Fraidy Cats is a horror parody.
S.S. WILSON has always been a storyteller with a love of fantasy. His high school science project was an animated dinosaur that demonstrated the concept of persistence of vision, the “flaw” in human optics which makes movie watching possible.
As a teenager, Wilson made backyard stop-motion animation “epics” with 8mm film and later went on to study film and television at Pennsylvania State University and the USC graduate film program, where he met writing partner Brent Maddock. He and Maddock landed early jobs writing material for animation giants Chuck Jones and Friz Freleng’s television specials featuring the Road Runner and Daffy Duck.
Wilson also wrote a book on special effects stop-motion animation, PUPPETS AND PEOPLE.
In 1983 Wilson and Maddock sold their spec script SHORT CIRCUIT. Directed by John Badham, it was their first produced feature. In quick succession, they wrote SHORT CIRCUIT 2, BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED, GHOST DAD; and served as consultants on Steven Spielberg’s animated THE LAND BEFORE TIME.
In 1990 they sold another spec, TREMORS, on which they also served as producers. Directed by fellow USC alum Ron Underwood and starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Michael Gross and Reba McEntire, the film became a revered cult classic, spawning three sequels and a TV series.
Wilson and Maddock joined with Nancy Roberts (producer of all the Tremors sequels) and Ron Underwood to form Stampede Entertainment in 1992. The first Stampede project was HEART AND SOULS at Universal, starring Robert Downey, Jr.
The TREMORS franchise grew with Wilson debuting as director on TREMORS 2: AFTERSHOCKS for Universal Family Home Entertainment. During the same time period, he and Maddock wrote the green-light draft of Warner Bros. 1999 tent pole release, WILD WILD WEST, starring Will Smith.
In 2001 it was TREMORS 3: BACK TO PERFECTION with Stampede partner Brent Maddock directing and Wilson handling second unit.
2004 saw both the debut of TREMORS: THE SERIES for the Sci-Fi Network (Wilson co-created and co-executive produced with Maddock and Roberts) and TREMORS 4: THE LEGEND BEGINS, with Wilson again at the helm.
Maddock and Wilson continue to write freelance while developing original material for Stampede. In 2007 they wrote THE MARINE MAMMAL PROJECT for Disney and remake of SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT for Universal as well as a book adaptation, THE ADVENTURES OF SLIM AND HOWDY, for Sony BMG.
In addition to screenwriting, Wilson is branching out into fiction. His first book is an action-adventure tale Tucker’s Monster. His second book Fraidy Cats is a horror parody.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 12, 2014
I haven't read much in the way of lighter, younger fiction in the last while, so I was tempted to rate the book a three stars, as I enjoyed it. Then I realized that the 10 year old me would definitely have rated it as four stars (really liked it).
The book follows the adventures of Rolf and Hermann, two alley cats with cat pretensions who play an integral and crucial role in the Frankenstein story. The writing is A+, rolling the story right along, as well as giving each character a clearly defined personality. Adults who are familiar with the 1931 Frankenstein movie will enjoy all the references and the way in which the author subverts what appears on the screen. For any adults who have not seen the 1931 movie, well, I recommend it, as it can only add to one's enjoyment. Personally, I found myself visualizing many of the scenes, as the action is so vividly and clearly written. As my visualization took the form of 2D Disney animation, I think this would make a great movie.
I'm usually disappointed in the endings for this type of story. However, there is a satisfying, nicely tied up ending, and a setup for a sequel.
I've been thinking of a few people who would really enjoy reading this book, so, by my own rating system equivalents, Fraidy Cats is upped to five stars.
My thanks to the Goodreads First Reads program for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.
The book follows the adventures of Rolf and Hermann, two alley cats with cat pretensions who play an integral and crucial role in the Frankenstein story. The writing is A+, rolling the story right along, as well as giving each character a clearly defined personality. Adults who are familiar with the 1931 Frankenstein movie will enjoy all the references and the way in which the author subverts what appears on the screen. For any adults who have not seen the 1931 movie, well, I recommend it, as it can only add to one's enjoyment. Personally, I found myself visualizing many of the scenes, as the action is so vividly and clearly written. As my visualization took the form of 2D Disney animation, I think this would make a great movie.
I'm usually disappointed in the endings for this type of story. However, there is a satisfying, nicely tied up ending, and a setup for a sequel.
I've been thinking of a few people who would really enjoy reading this book, so, by my own rating system equivalents, Fraidy Cats is upped to five stars.
My thanks to the Goodreads First Reads program for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.
October 25, 2013
I wanted to win this book for my grandson and when it came I looked at the cover and said no way because he,s only eight. I read it and I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed it. I smiled through the whole book and I,m sure my grandson is going to enjoy too. I loved the way it was told by the cats and all their misadventures trying to get a watch. I think anyone who just wants to sit and read a fun book would really enjoy this.
December 1, 2013
I received this book from first reads goodreads competition. .
" Rolf and Hermann ran like there was no tomorrow, which if they hadn't have done, there wouldn't have been."
I almost read this book in one sitting. .. if I hadn't needed to go food shopping and cooked the tea I probably would of done!!!
Absolutely brillant... mostly written from the cats point of view... they have probably done more than the history books realise!!!
Totally worth a read...
" Rolf and Hermann ran like there was no tomorrow, which if they hadn't have done, there wouldn't have been."
I almost read this book in one sitting. .. if I hadn't needed to go food shopping and cooked the tea I probably would of done!!!
Absolutely brillant... mostly written from the cats point of view... they have probably done more than the history books realise!!!
Totally worth a read...
November 2, 2013
Rounded up from 3.5 stars
I received this book in exchange for a fair review. Thank you!!
This book was written with a great tone - comparable to Lemony Snicket's work. However, I didn't see the Frankenstein movie, and I feel like I missed out on parts of the book. Overall this was a fun read.
I received this book in exchange for a fair review. Thank you!!
This book was written with a great tone - comparable to Lemony Snicket's work. However, I didn't see the Frankenstein movie, and I feel like I missed out on parts of the book. Overall this was a fun read.
February 4, 2015
I just could not get into this story. It bored me. The Frankenstien story through the eyes of cats.......really? Did nothing for me.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews