A special fortieth anniversary edition of The Rats, the classic, bestselling novel that launched James Herbert’s career.With a foreword by Neil Gaiman. It was only when the bones of the first devoured victims were discovered that the true nature and power of these swarming black creatures with their razor sharp teeth and the taste for human blood began to be realized by a panic-stricken city. For … panic-stricken city. For millions of years man and rats had been natural enemies. But now for the first time – suddenly, shockingly, horribly – the balance of power had shifted . . .
more
A race of unusually large black rats creep out from their lair looking for food. But when the creatures get a taste for human flesh, the corpses quickly pile up. Discovering the rats also carry a fatal virus, it becomes apparent to the authorities that a new and very dangerous challenge faces humanity. One of the first to witness the carnage, school-teacher Harris realises he knows more about them than anyone else and joins a team of specialists tasked with ridding London of the deadly vermin. But things don’t go to plan…
A few months back, I read a James Herbert novel I hadn’t come across before. ‘Creed’ reminded me that even though I’d read (and forgotten) lots of the author’s work as a teenager, there were also several of his twenty-three books I’d never got around to. I first read this one many years ago, along with similar titles (such as the wonderful ‘Horror Stories’ series published by Pan). And of course, I discovered Mr Herbert had plenty more to match ‘The Rats’, such as ‘The Dark’, ‘The Fog’ and the others in the Rats Trilogy, ‘Lair’ and ‘Domain’.
Back in 1974, it was James Herbert who resuscitated Britain’s place in the horror genre and led readers and fans to discover the likes of Stephen King, HP Lovecraft and Clive Barker. Though I don’t recall how it affected me at the time, I’m heartened to find ‘The Rats’ is still a pretty chilling read.
The Rats is British writer James Herbert’s first novel, published in 1974. It’s a horror classic. The Rats certainly has tense, scary moments, as well as social commentary about classism and bureaucracy. It is very gory, and not for the squeamish–especially if you’re afraid of rats! Unfortunately, the book suffers from a number of weaknesses.
First, Herbert likes to tell everyone’s life stories. I assume this is to create reader sympathy for the rat victims, but biographical infodumps serve only to slow the pace. “Get on with it, man,” I kept wanting to say. More seasoned writers (again, this was his first novel) let us get to know characters gradually and naturally through their actions and dialogue.
Second, as an East Londoner, Herbert paints the setting well. But he glosses over anything involving science, technology, logistics, or anything that might require a little bit of research. For example, the government (in the early 1970’s!) whip ups custom viruses in a few days. And he refers to nuclear testing in New Guinea–thousands of miles from the nearest testing ground. If you want the reader to buy the premise of giant carnivorous rats working together to carry out massacres, at least get the other facts straight.
I’ll close by saying The Rats at least is a quick, mostly fun, read (if you aren’t the squeamish type). I read it because it’s supposed to be a classic, but was disappointed it wasn’t better.
Definitely not without its flaws and most definitely a product of its time, The Rats demonstrates just why James Herbert so quickly became the British king of horror. Reading it now it’s let down by amateurish prose, a sub-par main plot and a decidedly misogynistic tone, but the horror aspects are still wonderful and deeply disturbing.
Fabulous trilogy!
The Rats is the first in a Trilogy of books from James Herbert. Not for the squeamish if you don’t like rats but a great read. You may wish to go and read The Lair and Domain if you enjoy the book.