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I did find the setting much more pleasing in Lair than in The Rats, simply because it was out of a dreary London street/sewer and into the fresh green surroundings of the forest. The book was published in 1979 but it does not feel as dated as the first one did to me and the background was ... Read review
The mutant white rat had grown and mated, creating off-spring in its own image. They ... more
dominated the others, the dark-furred ones, who foraged for food and brought it back to The Lair. Now the dark rats were restless, tormented by a craving they could not satisfy. But the white slug like thing that ruled them knew.
Advantages: One more to go! Disadvantages: Could have been clearer character blending with Rats
...setting much more pleasing in Lair than in The Rats, simply because it was out of a dreary London street/sewer and into the fresh green surroundings of the forest. The book was published in 1979 but it does not feel as dated as the first one did to me and the background was much more pleasurable to read about, which actually led to more horror as the animals were massacred by the rats.
The ending of this book was very good and I have ... ...I was unsure as I was reading as it has been so well written that it is hard to tell what will become of everyone and has to be one of my favourite endings of a horror story. There was enough gore and horror to satisfy fans and enough character story tied in with the revulsion to satisfy the less blood lusty of us.
Overall, I am again very pleased that there is one more book to read in this trilogy, being Domain, and I look forward ... more
The next instalment in "The Rats" trilogy was a surprise to me, simply because I had no idea "The Rats" was part of a set of three books until I posted the review on Dooyoo for it. I was genuinely excited that there was more in the series to read about the giant, killer rats from London's sewers.
This time however the stage is set in Epping Forest and the tranquil and calm forest becomes the stomping ground for a breed of animal that is far from calm and peaceful.
Luke Pender is our lead character this time round and he has a link to the first outbreak of killer rats in London four years prior, by way of his family having been slaughtered.
During the four years after the initial outbreak, Pender joins a company called Ratkill, who research and implement new and improved methods to combat vermin problems, and stay on top of any new Intel that may suggest the giant killer rats have returned to satisfy their blood lust.
After the first of what is believed to be killer rats are spotted in the forest by a young tutor, Jenny, and reported, Pender is called in and the whole nightmare begins again.
It takes a fair while for Herbert to really get going with this instalment. There is a small appetiser of horror at the beginning where he describes some farm cats being found after what is obviously a rat attack but other than that it is fairly quiet for about the first quarter of the book.
Lots of characters are introduced during this time, all except Pender being extras to the story and not really developed past their ultimate reason for being in the forest and subsequent death which you know is coming. The characters are described in enough detail that you can wince at their grisly demise but not enough it seems boring and too developed for such a small role in the story. Herbert did tend to do this with a character in The Rats and it just seemed a little bit surplus to requirements.
The only constant character that we hear from all through the book is Luke Pender and he is our hero. Herbert has managed to create a very normal, yet compelling man in Pender and his history with the rats means he has a real hatred for them, which shines through in the scenes where he is sharing the limelight with them so to speak. There is a romantic interest for him and this is played exactly right in my opinion. There is not too much detail on the relationship, just a few "close personal" scenes which a few may find uncomfortable, although if you pick up a book about killer rats ripping apart humans the odd bit of sex should not deter you too much. Unfortunately I would have liked a more solid link with Pender to the first book as I felt the simple sentence two thirds of the way through, to explain about his family, was too weak and could have been played out a lot more for a better connection.
What I did find disappointing was the exclusion of all mention of Harris, the main character from the first book, The Rats. I didn't necessarily want him to be central to the second story but he was so important in the beginning it seemed slightly odd that he was not consulted or drafted to help with the second outbreak. He was mentioned once but that was it and I felt it could have been a better link to the two stories if Harris had been a little more involved in the Epping Forest saga.
This of course means that the second book could be read as a stand-alone story. Herbert mentions at the beginning how the rats came to be in Epping Forest, journeying from the underground in London, to escape the noxious gas and pulse emitted to kill them after the London outbreak. This gives you enough information to understand what happened without having to read The Rats if you chose to do so. On the other hand I am glad that I am reading them in order as it does build up the tension slightly more, knowing what they are capable of, and waiting for the hell to be unleashed.
I did find the setting much more pleasing in Lair than in The Rats, simply because it was out of a dreary London street/sewer and into the fresh green surroundings of the forest. The book was published in 1979 but it does not feel as dated as the first one did to me and the background was much more pleasurable to read about, which actually led to more horror as the animals were massacred by the rats.
The ending of this book was very good and I have to say it could go either way in its conclusion. I was unsure as I was reading as it has been so well written that it is hard to tell what will become of everyone and has to be one of my favourite endings of a horror story. There was enough gore and horror to satisfy fans and enough character story tied in with the revulsion to satisfy the less blood lusty of us.
Overall, I am again very pleased that there is one more book to read in this trilogy, being Domain, and I look forward to it with anticipation.
Advantages: Very very gory, a real bloodstory tale Disadvantages: None
described.
It isnt just a blood and guts thing though as there is a good fast paced
story behind it which sets the scene quite well for the next 2 instalments in the Rats triology, Lair and Domain.
Interestingly JamesHerbert was inspired to write this book by a line from
a dracula movie .... "I have seen a 1000 rats with red eyes looking at me
from the lawns"
Incidentaly there was a film based on the book which was released in
1982, unbelievable as it seems I have never actually seen it (yet) but
apparently it does not do justice to the book. However until I have seen it I will reserve judgement. ...
Advantages: great story Disadvantages: a little short?
and a special rat, a white one is born, which will be the future for the rats. This ending leads on to another book called Lair, also by JamesHerbert.
** End of Plot **
* My Thoughts *
This is a very well laid out book, which keeps you wanting to read more and more. I had to keep reading, which for me is strange as I am not that great a reader, but this book kept me hooked all the way through. It may not be the longest book ever, but it is certainly one of the best books that I have read. JamesHerbert creates a very good atmosphere for the book and is very graphic is the writing about the horror that the rats perform.
If you are interested in this book, there are two sequels to this one. The first called Lair, which carries off from the end of The Rats and Domain, which is about a post apocalyptic London, which is being mauled by ...
Advantages: Short Gripping Read Disadvantages: A Bit outdated and cliche'd
The Jonah is a very well written novel by JamesHerbert, though it is eclipsed by his earlier work, especially The Rats, The Lair and The Domain (The Rats Trilogy), The Jonah is a complete and engrossing book. It has dated over the years, as James' use of words and descriptive prowess has grown to such a capacity that I am waiting at his website to find out when the next book is due to be released, but this does not take anything away from it's power to hold the reader until the final page has been turned and read.
This is a story of a police officer, Kelso, whose life has been marred by accidents and deaths that he is unable to explain. When one of his collegues is killed during a shoot out, Kelso is removed from the police. He then takes a journey to find out why these things are happening to him and in the process finds love ...
The sequel to "The Rats". Suddenly the once peaceful woods of Epping Forest echo with screams and a reign of terror has begun. A farmyard cat is found mangled and a family of stoats lie slaughtered, their insides exposed and half-eaten. The rats have returned.
Compare Lair - James Herbert to other similar Horror Books »
Stephen King's claim to fame ; Superb atmosphere ; Sublime plot ; A vivid imagination that stretches all supernatural boundaries ; Probably responsible for some of the best horror films of the 70's and 80's
Some unessesary background in the first half ; Kubrik mucked up the story too much ; Could have been much more (*)
