The Rats By James Herbert- Book Review
By Hannah Dwyer
***Spoilers ahead***
DUh.
James Herbert’s The Rats (first published in 1974) was his first novel and it included horrific graphic depictions of death and mutilations. The story follows secondary school teacher Harris as takes his student to the hospital after he receives a bite from a rat. The next day he is informed that the student has died from his injuries and Harris is brought in to solve the mysterious attacks. He soon realises that these are no ordinary creatures; with their intelligent, wicked-looking eyes and razor-sharp teeth, the balance of power between man and rat has drastically shifted. It’s not long for the whole of London descends into panicked chaos as the attacks grow bigger and more devastating.
The Rats is a fast passed and gloriously dirty book that is quick to get its teeth into the horror- puns intended. Herbert doesn’t shy away from going into details of the gore and purposely chooses real life London spots to ground his novel in level or reality. The book was written and published in the mid-70’s, where London (and the rest of Britain) was reeling from post-war recession. London was issued a severe electricity rationing caused by the national union of mineworkers which lead to many of them going on strike; this meant that the Conservative government ordering a ‘Three-Day Week’ where businesses were limited to using electricity for three consecutive days per week only. Many businesses struggled and closed, and students and factory workers were forced to work in cold, dimly like conditions. On top of that, the IRA frequently bombed major parts of London is their protest of British Rule over Northern Ireland which was never immediately cleaned up. As a result, to the Conservative arrogant ignorance of these suffering and desolate areas of London- the London slums were reborn.
Herbert’s book is reflection of the post-apolitical London that many Londoners were experiencing at the time and the one animal that all Londoners know far too well is the rat. The Rats is a metaphorical example of the hardships faced by Londoners during the mid-70’s and because this was Herbert’s first book, he wasn’t afraid to get nasty with the details. The reader is left angry at the government for not acting sooner and helping the citizens but because it wasn’t happening in Hamstead Heath, the issue was kept under wraps for as long as possible. Therefore, the book becomes one big allegory for the imbalanced between those in power and the working class.
The book is an excellent example of British splatter-horror and I believe is a must read for anyone who enjoys a more gory read.
Favourite quote: “The fact of the matter is, the more power you have, the easier it is to find solutions to any problems. You merely surround yourself with the right people, the right brains – they come up with the answers and you take the glory.”
Rating: 9/10
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