Mike Nelson's Death Rat!
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Mike Nelson's Death Rat! (first published April 1, 2003) is the first full length novel by American author Michael J. Nelson. Mike Nelson has previous experience as the head writer for Mystery Science Theater 3000 and has written two previous books of essays.
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[edit] Plot summary
Death Rat! is primarily a satire, with its main subject being the state of Minnesota, where Nelson lives. Among his targets Nelson includes parodies of famous Minnesota residents like Prince and Garrison Keillor, as well as the attitudes and quirks of Minnesotans in general. The protagonist of Mike Nelson's Death Rat! is Pontius Feeb, usually called Ponty, an author of many historical treatises who has just been fired. While working in a fast food restaurant he gets the idea to write a novel of historical fiction based in the small town of Holey, MN. Feeb's novel revolves around the conflict between two citizens of Holey in the early 1900s, as well as a giant rodent from which the novel gets its name. However, when he tries to sell the novel to a publisher, he is told that he doesn't look right to be the author of an action novel. Feeb then enlists the help of local actor Jack Ryback to pretend he wrote the book and attempt to sell it. Jack sells the novel easily, but tells the publisher that it is a non-fiction book, instead of a novel. Jack and Pontius then work with the citizens of Holey to attempt to cover up the book's fictional nature. During their many visits to Holey Ponty becomes friendly with the female mayor of Holey. As Feeb's Death Rat grows in popularity the cover up becomes harder and harder to maintain as the rock star "King Leo" adopts the book as the scripture of a new religion and sets up a revival in Holey. Meanwhile, a rival Minnesotan author is trying desperately to discredit Jack and "his" book.
In the end the plot is revealed, And after a flurry of lawsuits and media attention Jack and Pontius go back to doing minimum-wage work in St. Paul. In the end Ponty decides to go live in Holey with the friends that he made there.
[edit] Characters
Pontius “Ponty” Feeb - a small bookish history author with a number of failed nonfiction books to his name.
Jack Ryback- a large, rugged failed actor who looks the part of an outdoorsman.
Gus Bromstad - Homespun author of the Dogwood books. Also an egotistical narcissist.
King Leo - A Prince-esque funk superstar.
Sandi Knutson - Mayor of Holey and love interest of Ponty.
Ralph - Barkeep at Holey’s local pub, the Taconite.
[edit] Parallels to Famous Minnesotans
In his first novel Mike Nelson takes the opportunity to poke fun at the most prominent citizens of his home state. The most obvious parallel is that of King Leo, the funk superstar. With his eccentricities and odd monikers it is clear this character is meant to be a caricature of Prince. Gus Bromsted with his homespun books and arrogant air is meant to embody Garrison Keilor. Also, Governor Bart Herzog with his over the top personality and military personality is clearly supposed to be former governor and former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura.
[edit] Tone
Mike Nelson's Death Rat! is very humorous, and has an undisguised warmth and understanding of the residents of Minnesota. The style is reminiscent of P.G. Wodehouse, Patrick F. McManus, and S.J. Perelman.
