
‘We Could Be Rats’ gnaws at heartstrings
By Libby D’Orvilliers
The following article references subjects including depression and suicidal ideation.
We could be rats. We should all be rats. We are all rats.
I cannot think of a better way to start my year off than by reading a five-star book. I have been fortunate to have received an advanced digital review copy of literary fiction author Emily Austin’s latest novel “We Could Be Rats.” Following the positive reception of Austin’s previous novels, “We Could Be Rats,” released to the public on Jan. 28, is a raw testament to the power of the quiet resilience that is existing in this world – particularly in a world that does not always “see” you.
Told through a series of letters; this epistolary novel follows Sigrid, a young woman who often feels misunderstood, her detached relationship with her sister, Margit. The novel understatedly explores Sigrid’s struggles with her mental health, sense of identity and belonging. What materializes throughout the novel is a coming-of-age story of two sisters finding their way back to each other.
Set in the present day, one would expect that I, being a young adult currently working to define my identity and discover “my place” in the world, could relate to the protagonist, Sigrid. However, I frequently found myself wondering if Sigrid was even the protagonist at all and if the experiences and memories she shared were even true.
Austin deploys the unreliable narrator trope seamlessly.
Even though I questioned if I was getting a true account of Sigrid’s experiences, I almost felt more connected to her because I was seeing her world through her eyes, and while maybe it was not an accurate portrayal of events, it was how she was experiencing her world and choosing to share it in letters — a fitting medium for this character study of sorts.

Speaking on the technicality of Austin’s writing style – the pacing of this short novel was outstanding, giving this shorter read an un-put-down-able feel. The colloquial dialogue made it feel like I was really reading someone’s honest thoughts scrawled down on paper in real-time. Written with impeccable pacing and such honest and penetrating prose, Austin crafts characters and the story in such a way that you are fully emotionally invested.
Additionally, this book emphasises love, not romantic love, as is often, dare I say too frequently, portrayed in literature, but familial love. I have a sister and I am always looking for a book that can capture the complexities and intricacies of a sibling relationship. I find that the world needs more stories of love right now, raw, real and genuine stories of love.
The one major critique of this novel I have is that it packs a lot into a short book. While I appreciate that I could be so absorbed in the story and its pacing that I could read it in one sitting, I did find that by the end of the book, I was wishing I had more to read about Sigrid and Margit’s story. To me, it was almost as if the story was concluded in the middle of the falling action and that we never completely made it to the resolution.
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the very serious discussion this book prompts around mental health. The reader follows Sigrid’s struggles with depression and traumas in real-time as she contemplates taking her own life. While the topic is dark, Austin carefully and artfully approaches it with a humanistic touch, bringing not only the occasional quip of dark humor, but a sense of honesty to the story. Emphasizing that it is okay to talk about mental health struggles and that through sharing these kinds of stories, both real and fictional, we can “talk away the dark” and provide reassurance for those who need to know that they will get through the ups and downs of life.
That being said, as much as I highly recommend this book, please consider your own mental well-being first and decide if this is an appropriate read for you.
Coming in at a mere 256 pages, Emily Austin’s latest novel, “We Could Be Rats” packs an emotional punch and is definitely one that I will continue to think about and be impacted by for the foreseeable future.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, suicide, and substance use-related concerns, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting the number 988.
Rider’s Counseling Center is located in Zoerner House near the south entrance of campus and is available for free mental health support.
Libby D’Orvilliers is a junior psychology major