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Sean Barrs 's Reviews > The Rats
The Rats (The Rats Trilogy)
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If a horror book makes you laugh this much then it's a failure. Simple as.
Sure, the rats might have been selectively bred to be giant and vicious, but they are still rats: they are still little bundles of loveliness with their little ears and cute noses. They are not scary. Don’t demonise rats James, it’s not cool!
I happen to be very fond of rats, and they are often very misrepresented in fiction and media. Sure, you might say they are disease carriers and pests, but in reality who pesters who? As with all animals in the modern world, their natural environment has been drastically reduced so they flock to our cities and our streets. They adapt (or try to) to the world we have altered and then we blame then for it.
In the UK there is a similar debate regarding foxes (it's not really any different.) We destroy their environment (sometimes building our homes directly in it) and get all defensive when they end up on our doorstep. We do not accommodate for them and label them as pests. Wild animals will always be dangerous and aggressive, if they have no food and are clinging to life, if they are forced into our space then it's not their fault. Rather than looking to destroy such animals, more humane alternatives should be perused.
I'm going on a political rant here about ecology, but the point is rats aren't scary and this book is shit. That's all.
Sure, the rats might have been selectively bred to be giant and vicious, but they are still rats: they are still little bundles of loveliness with their little ears and cute noses. They are not scary. Don’t demonise rats James, it’s not cool!
I happen to be very fond of rats, and they are often very misrepresented in fiction and media. Sure, you might say they are disease carriers and pests, but in reality who pesters who? As with all animals in the modern world, their natural environment has been drastically reduced so they flock to our cities and our streets. They adapt (or try to) to the world we have altered and then we blame then for it.
In the UK there is a similar debate regarding foxes (it's not really any different.) We destroy their environment (sometimes building our homes directly in it) and get all defensive when they end up on our doorstep. We do not accommodate for them and label them as pests. Wild animals will always be dangerous and aggressive, if they have no food and are clinging to life, if they are forced into our space then it's not their fault. Rather than looking to destroy such animals, more humane alternatives should be perused.
I'm going on a political rant here about ecology, but the point is rats aren't scary and this book is shit. That's all.
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Reading Progress
November 5, 2018
–
Started Reading
November 5, 2018
– Shelved
November 5, 2018
– Shelved as:
1-star-reads
November 5, 2018
– Shelved as:
darkness-horror-gothic
November 5, 2018
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-21 of 21 (21 new)
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Bookdragon Sean wrote: "Book Wyrm wrote: "I have the same issue with 'scary' British spiders, and the people who kill them while their house has a fly problem."silly really! They cause no harm."
Phobias don't listen to reason, and arachnophobia is very common.
Sucks, but doesn't go away with logic.
I think you might enjoy The amazing Maurice and his educated Rodents by Sir Terry Pratchett. It's a spin on the Piper of Hamel(i)n.
Eule wrote: "I think you might enjoy The amazing Maurice and his educated Rodents by Sir Terry Pratchett. It's a spin on the Piper of Hamel(i)n."Sounds fun!
Book Wyrm wrote: "We have a dedicated spider catcher tub in our house too; we'll only evict them if they're bigger then two inches."Easiest way for it!
Mimi wrote: "Btw great review and agree with what you said about foxes, think they're wonderful animals and I admire the way they manage when as you say we're continually making lives for any animals - other th..."I love all animals, foxes especially so. I always get excited when I see one, almost managed to touch one once before it ran away.
Spiders I struggle with. I hate the thought of them crawling on me, but I put them outside. I hate it when people kill them. There's absolutely no need.
So many people have no respect for wildlife.
Chris Apolant wrote: "I actually love rats, but there's a massive distinction between the wild version and the domesticated, captive bred variety. Wild rats are not "bundles of loveliness", unless you're unhinged or a 1..."Vegans care more about humans than you realise. It's why they're vegan. They care about the future of the planet, of the human race (and all other species.)
And you're right in a sense, vegans are idealists but the future needs idealists because one day we will have nothing left. Nature will be dead.
Where wild animals have attacked humans is precisely what I'm getting at. I've read the case studies and they're terrible but that's what happens when animals have no environment to thrive in. Again this is a huge issue with foxes in the uk.
I don't find rats scary, I find the future scary. �
never much of a Herbert fan, so thanks for taking one for the team and suffering through this one for us :)
I think maybe you’ve taken this too personal. The book is brilliant and I was terrified by it. I love sharks in a huge way, I read Jaws and I loved it. I don’t like the fear it has put into people about sharks but the book was brilliant and so is The Rats.
Danni The Girl wrote: "I think maybe you’ve taken this too personal. The book is brilliant and I was terrified by it. I love sharks in a huge way, I read Jaws and I loved it. I don’t like the fear it has put into people ..."and what is a book review if not personal?
HI Bookdragon Sean, I prefer Ramsey Campbell to James Herbert. Though James is very popular I wouldn't say he's a favourite of mine. All the best Peter
Rat's aren't scary. First thing i thought of was the black death!
To be fair, there are pet rats and there are wild rats. Pet rats are cute, wild rats not so much.
You can keep them as pets if you like, but wild ones carry all kinds of diseases. Get over it.
"Don't demonise Rats". I think the Black Death beat James Herbert to that one!
Sometimes horror fiction become horror reality. One year ago in my country (Greece), rats ate through the face of a newborn child in a cradle. The baby (3.5 months) was alive but her future is ominous in need of plastic surgeries for the rest of her life.
Whether you like it or not, if a rat is desperate they can turn to eating flesh. They even eat their own young sometimes if their scent changes from environment or being touched by humans. There are very few rare cases of rats doing what the books says. I have had pet rats myself and I love them but i separate domesticated to wild rats and you should to. So judge the book by what it is, fiction. I loved the book.
Rats are lovely little creatures, and make fantastic additions to the family. They're just so sweet, and don't deserve their bad press.
Bet you’re a blast at parties
John wrote: "Bet you’re a blast at parties"i don't go to parties
silly really! They cause no harm.