We Could Be Rats is a darkly humorous portrayal of fraught family relationships and the reality of growing up queer in a small town. Emily Austin's writing and ability to capture such difficult themes (suicide, drug abuse, depression) in a realistic, wry, and upfront manner impressed me greatly.

Emily Austin writes beautifully. For the heavy subject matter, this was a quick read. I've read Everyone in this Room Will Someday Be Dead previously, so I knew roughly what to expect going into this one. Gorgeous prose, a thoughtful reflection on mental health, and tough topics handled with grace. I enjoyed peeling back the layers that were Sigrid, and the dynamic between the sisters. The mid-point surprise definitely caught me by surprise, and I always love not seeing something coming. That being said, I felt like this was a lot like Everyone in this Room Will Someday Be Dead. That's not a bad thing, because I really enjoyed that book, but I think for me, it was just too much the same (set in a small town, queer main character with a complex relationship with family and religion, suffering from a mental health disorder). These are all things I very much enjoy, but I found it to be too repetitive unfortunately. That being said, I think this is a great read for the right person, and I still plan to read Interesting Facts About Space.

Emily Austin's We Could Be Rats is an engaging read tackling heavy topics such as depression, trauma, addiction, and grief. The story follow two sisters - Sigrid and Margit - navigating the fallout of Sigrid's recent suicide attempt. It alternates both sisters perspectives as we learn how and why two people who shared the same childhood had very different outcomes in life. At once sad, tragic, and witty, Austin's We Could Be Rats is a book for those who love queer coming of age narratives about life, loss, and love. Readers who enjoyed Austin's previous novels, as well as authors such as Sally Rooney, Ottessa Moshfegh, and Elif Batuman will be sure to enjoy We Could Be Rats.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an E-Arc of this title.

Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, but I look forward to reading and reviewing other books by this author in the future.

a story of 2 sisters growing up and writing their letters of love, sadness and pains of childhood, growing apart, surviving and the power of imagination
Sigrid is the mc for the 1st part the novel telling her side of what happened in a suicide letter narrated to her sister Margit
going over their abusive childhood and the choices they made that sent them on different paths, this was a heartbreakingly beautiful story to read but had some dark humor that DID help lighten the mood
the one thing that will keep them together is their bond for dreaming, creating and imagining a whole new world to fix theirs
perfect for any vc andrews fans!

I'm not really sure if I loved this story. The writing was great though! This story deals with a complicated relationship between sisters, also deals with suicide. I found the first half of the book's format to be interesting as it was formatted as suicide letter. The second half was fine, but I found it be to dragging a bit.

First, this is a heavy read. Having not read the synopsis beforehand, I almost put it down after the first few chapters. The world is so dark right now that I prefer books that make me laugh and feel lighter. This is not to undermine the incredible importance of the novel's subject matter and the need for more stories that focus on mental health, suicide, the LGBTQ community, and the opioid crisis. (Readers should know there are such triggers throughout the book).

I'm glad that I kept reading! The story moves from Sigrid's multiple attempts at a suicide letter to the perspective of the second sister, Margit, who is coping in the aftermath of her sister's suicide attempt. What emerges is something unexpected with lighter moments revealed amongst the triggering subject matter, highlighting the power of the imagination and how two unique personalities survive to recapture their bond as sisters.

I was pleasantly surprised to love this book (my first by Austin but certainly not the last!). It was also a fun surprise at the end of the book while reading the author's acknowledgments to learn that the Sigrid who inspired the character's name is the same one and only Sigrid I know (a former communications colleague of mine!).

Overall, We Could Be Rats is a brilliant read highlighting Emily Austin's unique and enormous talent as one of Canada's top emerging authors.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Atria Books for an advanced copy.

Let me just start by saying I really like this book. It’s honest and raw. That being said, it’s not the book I thought I’d be reading after reading the summary: ‘A moving story… a love letter to childhood’. It makes me frustrated that it’s not mentioned, perhaps it’s a spoiler (but it’s right on the first page), that this book is written as a suicide note. I strongly believe the summary could have included something about that. The authors note mentions the initial trivialization of suicide in the book but there are no other trigger warnings. I still would have read the book but could have better prepared myself for doing so.

In addition to suicide and mental health, there are many other sensitive topics broached in this book including childhood trauma, homophobia, religion, politics, opioid addiction, sexual assault, domestic violence, unhoused populations, racism and Indigeneity. Oh and there were so many lies I had no idea what to believe was true. It actually stressed me out quite a bit while reading. I understood Greta and Sigrid’s impulse to say something about injustice. I know I internalize disquiet while reading about such topics (thus the importance of trigger warnings).

The depiction of Margit was an exemplary portrayal of a foggy state of mind that many can probably relate to when not knowing what to do or trying to remember what they were meant to be doing. There are a few twists that shifted the narrative and got me through. There is a lot to reflect on from this book. I took a lot of notes, more than my usual. Suicide is never trivial. If you or anyone you know is experiencing thoughts of ending life, there are resources available.

We probably don’t think about rats enough. They are empathic creatures and love them a country fair. I adore the mention of a ‘veritable smorgasbord’. I was instantly looking up the scene with Templeton from Charlottes Web where he gluttons himself and is the happiest he’s ever been. If I could choose how the world worked, maybe the life of rats together at a fair sampling every ounce of happiness is what I’d choose as well.

I loved Austin’s first two books and was excited to dive into this one as well. I think the concept was great though I didn’t truly love the execution as the first third of the book is told in drafts of a letter and felt very repetitive. I also felt like the story was a bit directionless but maybe that was the point as the main character is a bit directionless themself. I really enjoyed the little twists at the end and will definitely read anything else the author writes but this one wasn’t my favourite.

I don't usually read literary fiction, but I will read anything by Emily Austin!

We could Be Rats is a character-driven story about childhood, growing up, imagination, and siblinghood. I don’t want to say too much about what actually happens, but the book delves into the lives and relationships of Sigrid and Margit, two now-adult sisters.

As always with Emily Austin, the narrative has a dark, wry sense of humor that had me snorting at times. While Austin addresses a lot of tough topics in this book—drug abuse, suicide, homophobia, sexual assault, and domestic violence to name a few—I never felt totally hopeless, and the book ends on an ultimately hopeful note. The story has a balance of lightheartedness and depression that really resonated with me.

In conclusion, Austin remains a must-read author!

Emily Austin continues to fill the Fleabag-shaped hole in my life! The first half of this book is flawless. Concept, execution, everything was just delicious! And then, we get The Truth! Loved this narrative shake up SO MUCH I almost wish there had been a mic drop finish after Margit's first chapter. Would've kept me up at night for weeks just mulling it all over.

Unfortunately it kinda trailed off for me from there. The rest was good, but I didn't find it nearly as compelling as the first half and I predict it will keep me up but for different reasons. I wanted to go out with a bang, while this felt more like a whimper.

Regardless, I will devour anything Emily Austin writes and I thank her for the privilege.

The book begins with various attempts at writing a suicide note, in which Sigrid tells the story of her life. It’s an interesting glimpse at family dynamics, friendship and growing up. Do the white lies we tell other people help or hinder us and them? Should we fight with family and friends when we disagree or simply slip away from functions? Are we helping or hurting when we stand up for the things we believe?
This book was well written. It was funny and dark and poignant. I reread sentences over and over because they were so perfect. And I have a new appreciation for rats.
4 stars!

Book Review We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin

This is my first Austin book but it will not be my last. I loved the structure, style and dark humor of this book. She takes a very dark subject, suicide and makes it relatable and personal.

Two sisters, Sigrid and Margit, grow up in the same home but emerge shaped differently by their experiences “My approach was to disengage while yours was to dial in excessively. I think you’re neurotic and controlling because of it and I was detached and delusional.”

The book is divided into three sections: 21 draft suicide notes from Sigrid, Margit’s journal entries after she finds her sister and then finally Sigrid again.

I loved the unique structure of this book and having their voices expressed in such a different ways. This allowed the story and history to unfold gradually and provided ebbs and flows in the emotional tone providing necessary reprieves for the reader. The irreverent tone of the suicide notes was brilliant.

The family history told from the sisters different perspectives was fascinating. They experienced the same trauma so differently and coped so differently that they had no way of understanding each other and as a result couldn’t support each other. This book depicts a complex, complicated sibling relationship in a no holds barred manner. The origins of the “perfect” child vs “scapegoated”child is depicted so well here that you won’t be able to stop yourself from over identifying with one of the sisters. You’ll know which one you are.

This is a brilliantly written book about childhood trauma, family relationships and the love-hate relationship of siblings. This book looks at mental health and suicide in a straight forward and plain manner with prodigious use of humor. This book will resonate with people who have had dark days, where you couldn’t see a path forward and who have complicated relationships with family. Other people will enjoy it as well!

This is the best Emily Austin yet. She does what she does and she does it so well. I wish I could have read this book in my early 20s as a strange queer woman finding herself but I guess reading it in my early 30s as a strange queer woman still finding herself will have to do.

I loved this book! This book made me laugh, cry, get angry, I felt all of the feelings! It has unreliable narration, which I loved. I fell in love with the characters, they were developed so well. I found this very relatable! I recommend you read the trigger warnings before reading as there are some you should know first.

Unfortunately, I have to DNF this book. While I enjoyed the quality of writing and style of the portion I read (approximately 25%), I didn't realize how much the book dealt with suicide and am not in the space to read that at this time, nor do I expect to be before this title is archived.

This book truly has so much life to it that it was hard to put down at times and even harder to pick up at others—not because I didn't enjoy it but more so because it contended with a lot of emotions that I really think you need to be in the headspace to internalize and empathize with. Equal parts moving and equal parts graceful, We Could Be Rats details the journey between two sisters and their trauma in a unique way.

This was a journey that was worth taking. It hits hard in places but also has a sensitive and mature way to it.

You can connect to it no matter where you are or who you love. I would definitely recommend everyone take time to read this book. You will not regret it.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

We Could Be Rats-Emily Austin-Publishing January 28th, 2025 by Simon & Schuster.

⚡Trigger Warning. This book talks about suicide.

Sigrid and Margit are sisters on two different paths. Sigrid didn’t finish high school, and works at Dollar Pal. Margit finished high school, and is in college, which her parents are proud of. Sigrid is terrified of growing up, terrified of the future, or lack of one and her best friend Greta is caught up with drugs. Told first in the perspective of Sigrid writing her suicide note, then through Margit and the aftermath.

Emily Austin has a great way of writing about mental illness. Anxiety, depression, and suicide. She makes it relatable, and uses it to craft fantastic stories. There is honesty here.
I loved the sense of humor in this book, even though one of the main topics is suicide. The wit was spot on. If you have read any of Austin’s previous books, this is a must read.

Publishes in only three weeks!

#books #bookreview #bookstgram #booksaredeadly #simonandshuster #simonandschustercanada #wecouldberats #wecouldberatsemilyaustin

I was quite excited for this release and while it wasn’t necessarily disappointing, it was just a LOT heavier than I typically associate with Austin’s writing. That’s not a critique on her or the book, just a case of my own mismanaged expectations going in. From the premise it’s clear the book deals heavily with suicide, but as a heads up it also touches on addiction, rape, homophobia, and domestic violence. The book includes Austin’s quintessential wit and humour, but doesn’t shy away from some explicit heavier topics that her previous releases only touch on briefly.

The novel is structured in an epistolary format where Sigrid recounts her life in drafts of her suicide letter, which grew repetitive. By design, she rewrites a lot of the same themes or ideas and so you get several similar anecdotes about her child, relationship with her best friend and sister, and her increasing disenchantment with her small town. I liked the themes, but reading so many similar stories about her childhood and fear of growing up got a bit grating. Hearing everything retrospectively creates a detachment between Sigrid and the reader, and I never quite warmed up to her.

Around halfway through there’s a big narrative shift, and the second part of the book worked much better for me. It felt more personal and less detached, which makes sense given the context as to which it arises. I liked the secondary characters more than Sigrid and appreciated the roles they played in the narrative of her life. It feels like a very timely book in the political and social commentary it makes.

We Could Be Rats is not a bad book by any means; if you’ve enjoyed Emily Austin before, I think you’ll enjoy this! The writing is solid and the narrative is well executed. With that said, it was heavier than expected for me and I think I just read this at the wrong time. Someday I’ll re-read this with fresh eyes, and I think I’ll appreciate it even more.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for the cute little PR package which included this gem!