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Night of the Rat
There are just some men you can’t send from the house at midnight with a live rat in a trap and expect them not to somehow get the police involved. Granted, it sounds like an exaggeration, but Silas was more panicked about leaving the house than even the rat. Neither wanted to go. One had a family, the other had social anxiety.
Before sunrise, one was going to be freed in a field, the other from custody.
One would see worlds he could never dream, the other would have all his worst fears confirmed.
Night of the Rat tells the dark and comedic lengths one couple will go to rid their neighborhood of unwanted guests.
Before sunrise, one was going to be freed in a field, the other from custody.
One would see worlds he could never dream, the other would have all his worst fears confirmed.
Night of the Rat tells the dark and comedic lengths one couple will go to rid their neighborhood of unwanted guests.
83 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2019
595 people are currently reading
8207 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Thompson
8 books661 followersIt’s often these little things that flummox me.
About the author…
Let's just say I’m a mischievous criminal with a penchant for charming my way into trouble and then out of arrest.
About the author…
Let's just say I’m a mischievous criminal with a penchant for charming my way into trouble and then out of arrest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 15, 2023
This is a short, silly novella with darkly comedic overtones about the lengths a couple will go to get rid of unwanted guests, like rats for instance. The couple lives in a home that is overrun by rats, but they wish to be humane about the way they eliminate the rats. However, the lengths that they go through in order to be humane borders on the ridiculous, and somehow lost in the insanity is the obsession that T and Silas have with getting rid of a music festival that has set up practically in their backyard. Silliness ensues. To like this, you MUST enjoy dark humor. There is some horror and grotesqueries (I mean of course there are because rats are involved). This was particularly horrifying for someone who used to see them in the New York City transit stations as a youth. Disgusting. However, amusing because the music festival pests are equated to rat pests and well, let's just say that the two types of pests may not necessarily be treated as equals.
April 18, 2019
Classic short story about relationships and the incompetence of effort.
Silas and T have cats that will catch anything. T loves her cats but she and Silas are committed vegetarians and seek to prolong all life and certainly do not wish to see any animal suffer at their expense.
What the cats bring in they strive to release. Unfortunately, the rats the cats brought in escaped and now have the run of the house.
T and Silas are poor rat trappers and their first efforts result in a traumatic death to two rats. They then strike on a plan to catch a live rat and release him in the neighbouring countryside at least 4 miles from their home.
Catching and trapping a live rat was the least of their problems as Silas leaves after midnight to free the rat but with a very bad feeling that something is bound to happen and go wrong.
Hilarious, full of comedic moments. Silas and T’s behaviours show they care for one another but some of their decisions bring their relationship into a crisis that goodwill and shared values might not be enough.
A new author to me. A short story like this is a perfect introduction into her work. This story will bring me back to this talented author and get me looking out her other work.
Silas and T have cats that will catch anything. T loves her cats but she and Silas are committed vegetarians and seek to prolong all life and certainly do not wish to see any animal suffer at their expense.
What the cats bring in they strive to release. Unfortunately, the rats the cats brought in escaped and now have the run of the house.
T and Silas are poor rat trappers and their first efforts result in a traumatic death to two rats. They then strike on a plan to catch a live rat and release him in the neighbouring countryside at least 4 miles from their home.
Catching and trapping a live rat was the least of their problems as Silas leaves after midnight to free the rat but with a very bad feeling that something is bound to happen and go wrong.
Hilarious, full of comedic moments. Silas and T’s behaviours show they care for one another but some of their decisions bring their relationship into a crisis that goodwill and shared values might not be enough.
A new author to me. A short story like this is a perfect introduction into her work. This story will bring me back to this talented author and get me looking out her other work.
April 15, 2019
Unbelievable
This story is weird. Think Salvador Dali. Think 'waiting for Godot'. I finished reading it yesterday and I still can't stop laughing. It's a hoot. Read it. It will do your head in. Tee hee.
This story is weird. Think Salvador Dali. Think 'waiting for Godot'. I finished reading it yesterday and I still can't stop laughing. It's a hoot. Read it. It will do your head in. Tee hee.
March 1, 2020
T doesnt like cops. Silas doesnt like leaving the house. Neither like the rats their cats have brought into the house.
This is an amusing short story that I really enjoyed reading. I highly recommend it if you need a good giggle. I feel like the main summary doesnt do this story justice as there is so much more to than just rats and social anxiety. I'm looking forward to reading other books by this author.
This is an amusing short story that I really enjoyed reading. I highly recommend it if you need a good giggle. I feel like the main summary doesnt do this story justice as there is so much more to than just rats and social anxiety. I'm looking forward to reading other books by this author.
May 10, 2019
Too Funny- Thompson Is A Genius (Literally)
I love Tanya Thompson. She is hilarious, bold, self-sufficient, ridiculous, and the wild hijinks she gets up to whilst performing the most mundane of tasks is breathtaking. I would want to be her, but the world can only handle one of her without (just barely) imploding.
Therefore I live my very boring life, and content myself with existing for brief times vicariously through Tanya's wild dance through the world. She is a force of nature. I am thankful for her generosity and willingness to put her life into books I can gobble up shamelessly.
As Always I Wish Happy Reads to All from the Unapologetic Book Junkie!
I love Tanya Thompson. She is hilarious, bold, self-sufficient, ridiculous, and the wild hijinks she gets up to whilst performing the most mundane of tasks is breathtaking. I would want to be her, but the world can only handle one of her without (just barely) imploding.
Therefore I live my very boring life, and content myself with existing for brief times vicariously through Tanya's wild dance through the world. She is a force of nature. I am thankful for her generosity and willingness to put her life into books I can gobble up shamelessly.
As Always I Wish Happy Reads to All from the Unapologetic Book Junkie!
January 4, 2020
Doing a good deed. Saving a life (even if it is a rodent). What could go wrong? Read this story for insight to what CAN go wrong. I totally enjoyed the story and I would recommend it to anyone who has a good sense of humor.
August 29, 2019
Creepy story I'm just happy that I finally have a friend her name is Brenda she's my only friend!😊
January 31, 2020
Quick enjoyable read
Solar and T had me chuckling with their attempts at a rat free existence, and I'm right there with them with country music.
Solar and T had me chuckling with their attempts at a rat free existence, and I'm right there with them with country music.
December 12, 2019
This was a fun quick read.
September 1, 2019
‘People are the worst’
Author Tanya Thompson is one fascinating persona. Her initial novel - ASSUMNG NAMES - was her autobiography of a con artist, and since that time she has enjoyed success in writing further strange and interesting books: SWEET FREAKS, RED RUSSIA, and especially in this novel, NIGHT OF THE RAT, a book that shares her keen sense of humor along with the bizarre story line she creates.
This is Tanya’s newest novel (or novella!) and she not only continues her solid reputation as a unique author, she polishes it even further There are few descriptors that do Tanya’s writing style and content justice. Whether creating a memoir or shooting out fantasy and parodies of social behavior, her words spew forth on the page like free association that knows no bounds. She is at once creative in her approach to this ‘situation’ and rambunctious in the manner in which she shares her ideas.
A short passage may explain her style – ‘There are just some men you can’t send from the house at midnight with a live rat in a trap and expect them not to somehow get the police involved. Granted, it sounds like an exaggeration, but Silas was more panicked about leaving the house than even the rat. Neither wanted to go. One had a family, the other had social anxiety. Before sunrise, one was going to be freed in a field, the other from custody. One would see worlds he could never dream, the other would have all his worst fears confirmed. The rat would see worlds he could never ream and Silas would have all his worst fears confirmed. The outside was scary. The outside was dangerous. People could not be trusted. They Talked. They judged. They condemned. People were the worst. The rat thought cats were the worst, but rat was wrong. The cats weren’t killing his family. The cats were simply in a relocation program that would bring live entertainment out of the rain into the house…’
How Tanya turns this potentially gruesome story (a story from her life!) into a mountain of superb humor and guffaws remains a conundrum, but one she hopefully will continue to create. Tanya’s forte – spread the pleasures of an exhaustive vocabulary, incorporating the supernatural and other fantastical elements, and out comes one hilariously wild ride of a naughty tale. High five, kick in, and have fun.
Author Tanya Thompson is one fascinating persona. Her initial novel - ASSUMNG NAMES - was her autobiography of a con artist, and since that time she has enjoyed success in writing further strange and interesting books: SWEET FREAKS, RED RUSSIA, and especially in this novel, NIGHT OF THE RAT, a book that shares her keen sense of humor along with the bizarre story line she creates.
This is Tanya’s newest novel (or novella!) and she not only continues her solid reputation as a unique author, she polishes it even further There are few descriptors that do Tanya’s writing style and content justice. Whether creating a memoir or shooting out fantasy and parodies of social behavior, her words spew forth on the page like free association that knows no bounds. She is at once creative in her approach to this ‘situation’ and rambunctious in the manner in which she shares her ideas.
A short passage may explain her style – ‘There are just some men you can’t send from the house at midnight with a live rat in a trap and expect them not to somehow get the police involved. Granted, it sounds like an exaggeration, but Silas was more panicked about leaving the house than even the rat. Neither wanted to go. One had a family, the other had social anxiety. Before sunrise, one was going to be freed in a field, the other from custody. One would see worlds he could never dream, the other would have all his worst fears confirmed. The rat would see worlds he could never ream and Silas would have all his worst fears confirmed. The outside was scary. The outside was dangerous. People could not be trusted. They Talked. They judged. They condemned. People were the worst. The rat thought cats were the worst, but rat was wrong. The cats weren’t killing his family. The cats were simply in a relocation program that would bring live entertainment out of the rain into the house…’
How Tanya turns this potentially gruesome story (a story from her life!) into a mountain of superb humor and guffaws remains a conundrum, but one she hopefully will continue to create. Tanya’s forte – spread the pleasures of an exhaustive vocabulary, incorporating the supernatural and other fantastical elements, and out comes one hilariously wild ride of a naughty tale. High five, kick in, and have fun.
June 19, 2019
Have also tried to rid my house of mice, and have gone through several of the same dilemmas. Glue, poison, snap trap, none were "humane" and although I wasn't AS anguished as she was, I had found each bad experience also upsetting. Reading Tawnya's trials with dealing with a common rodent problem brought back some of those memories which she described so well, yet she made it so much more entertaining and almost funny at times. I also loved following her relationship, and loved the fact that they "fit" each other. Kudos and another great read.... waiting for the next book!
February 21, 2019
Rats
Having experienced this same dilemma I was fascinated by the tale. The real culprits are the cats yet they never get the blame. Rats. Ughh I totally enjoyed the story I would recommend it to anyone who has a good sense of humor.
Having experienced this same dilemma I was fascinated by the tale. The real culprits are the cats yet they never get the blame. Rats. Ughh I totally enjoyed the story I would recommend it to anyone who has a good sense of humor.
June 24, 2019
A quirky, quick read
Sometimes our best intentions have unintended consequences. This novella is witty and written with enough detail that picturing T and Silas in their crusade to humanely dispatch their vermin is easy. Thank you for the breezy, funny story.
Sometimes our best intentions have unintended consequences. This novella is witty and written with enough detail that picturing T and Silas in their crusade to humanely dispatch their vermin is easy. Thank you for the breezy, funny story.
April 5, 2020
Once again, warped, disturbing, hilarious, and incredibly clever.
December 13, 2019
A few weeks ago I read 'Assuming Names' by Tanya Thompson - her unbelievable, hilarious, and insane autobiography. Since then I have become obsessed with her and her completely unique and entertaining way of telling a story. So, I've made it my mission to read everything she has written.
First on my list was the novella 'Night of the Rat' and it was the best read for a freezing cold Sunday afternoon, curled up with a hot chocolate. It was funny, whimsical, and featured a plot that I don't think anyone but Thompson could come up with - after all, she has her own experience of the unbelievable.
T and Silas have a serious rat problem and their humane rat relocation progamme has no been going well. Inhumane rat traps are out of the questions or the vegetarians, especially after one failed in a gruesome and harrowing manner. This is what sends Silas out onto the streets in the middle of the night with a rat in a cage and what follows is a crazy, darkly comic story from a very unlikely pair.
Great read, so much fun. Bring on more Tanya Thompson.
First on my list was the novella 'Night of the Rat' and it was the best read for a freezing cold Sunday afternoon, curled up with a hot chocolate. It was funny, whimsical, and featured a plot that I don't think anyone but Thompson could come up with - after all, she has her own experience of the unbelievable.
T and Silas have a serious rat problem and their humane rat relocation progamme has no been going well. Inhumane rat traps are out of the questions or the vegetarians, especially after one failed in a gruesome and harrowing manner. This is what sends Silas out onto the streets in the middle of the night with a rat in a cage and what follows is a crazy, darkly comic story from a very unlikely pair.
Great read, so much fun. Bring on more Tanya Thompson.
July 13, 2019
Unusual and very enjoyable
A very enjoyable read and the writing had a nice rhythmic feel to it that deepened the enjoyment. The characters were unusual and interesting people on the edge of society with views and beliefs that probably made this necessary. Overall the cats were the masters of the strange living arrangements, the rats were not vilified but seen as a nuisance with rights, and the annual country & western festival was villain of the piece . . Confusing listed like this but the author weaves everything together in a very enjoyable way, definitely worse ways to spend an afternoon.
A very enjoyable read and the writing had a nice rhythmic feel to it that deepened the enjoyment. The characters were unusual and interesting people on the edge of society with views and beliefs that probably made this necessary. Overall the cats were the masters of the strange living arrangements, the rats were not vilified but seen as a nuisance with rights, and the annual country & western festival was villain of the piece . . Confusing listed like this but the author weaves everything together in a very enjoyable way, definitely worse ways to spend an afternoon.
September 27, 2019
Goofy but fun to read
Having no idea how to judge satirical comedy, I give this book 5 stars because it amused me and made me laugh out loud a couple of times.
The true victor in this story was the rat—the third rat—the first two died. But, that’s hardly the point of it all; or isn’t it?
Having no idea how to judge satirical comedy, I give this book 5 stars because it amused me and made me laugh out loud a couple of times.
The true victor in this story was the rat—the third rat—the first two died. But, that’s hardly the point of it all; or isn’t it?
April 5, 2020
Charming home in the country
Ex-pats struggle with a vegan belief system beset by interlopers. Please read this charming short story, it will tickle you like a hungry cats tail in the morning.
Ex-pats struggle with a vegan belief system beset by interlopers. Please read this charming short story, it will tickle you like a hungry cats tail in the morning.
December 15, 2021
This is a short, fun and engaging read. The reader is in for a thrill with this story and it moves right along. Tanya Thompson is a clever storyteller and I’m going to explore her other works. Four stars!
September 23, 2022
This book is up there with the most funniest and disturbing books I’ve read. Who knew there were so many considerations on getting rid of a rat?
October 22, 2020
A short read about a vegetarian couple who are fed up with rats in there place & want to get rid of them without torturing them but unintentionally kill two of them with cruelty. So to avoid the same with 3rd rat the husband goes out to drop him out (he doesn't want to because he believes something bad will happen, but eventually give up before his wife) and than what follow is his gut feeling come out to be true.
Though the theme was different & i appreciate author for thinking out of box. But overall, i found this to be an average read.
Though the theme was different & i appreciate author for thinking out of box. But overall, i found this to be an average read.
April 22, 2019
I could not finish this book. I'm sure it gets better, but I couldn't muddle through the detailed narration of the various methods used to kill multiple rats in a home owned by "animal lovers." It made me too sad.
March 21, 2020
Thompson’s writing wooed me with Red Russia, another book of hers that is well worth the read. Her style is often witty, and humorous (albeit a bit dark at times), and it resonates with the writer/reader in me in a way I don’t get to see very often. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers.
This particular book can also be dark, but is majorly humorous. Dark comedy is a hard art to nail down, but Thompson has it. I liked the characters, I liked Silas and T and the way they cared about everything in a refreshingly human way. The way T cared about what Silas could bear, as well as the way Silas connected with the world around him in the most naïve of ways (the farmer’s solution to the rats, for example). There’s a sort of irony in their endeavor to keep the rats from harm and from their home, but in the process causing more pain. Sometimes doing something good can worsen the wound.
This is a great book. I found myself laughing at some of the silliness (the whole “bee in the bonnet” scene cracked me up. I’d recommend this to anyone who needs a bit of a laugh.
This particular book can also be dark, but is majorly humorous. Dark comedy is a hard art to nail down, but Thompson has it. I liked the characters, I liked Silas and T and the way they cared about everything in a refreshingly human way. The way T cared about what Silas could bear, as well as the way Silas connected with the world around him in the most naïve of ways (the farmer’s solution to the rats, for example). There’s a sort of irony in their endeavor to keep the rats from harm and from their home, but in the process causing more pain. Sometimes doing something good can worsen the wound.
This is a great book. I found myself laughing at some of the silliness (the whole “bee in the bonnet” scene cracked me up. I’d recommend this to anyone who needs a bit of a laugh.
December 3, 2020
This book was suggested by both of my siblings so I had to read it. It was a very quick read and had some really funny situational comedy. It's about a couple who are committed vegetarian and their house gets infested by mice. I gave this book to my boyfriend thinking how hilarious it was and he didn't find it too funny because he's a farm boy and don't have any problem killing a mouse. I realized only people like us would understand the pain of having a mouse trapped in pain and would come with ideas like drowning or freezing it as it goes in the story. I really liked both the main characters, T is some kind of genius who likes to experiment with electronics (love strong female leads). Her husband Silas is a stone head which will bring in some hilarious moments in the story. This is the kind of book I can read multiple times as the humor in it never gets old. I am quite inclined to read another book by Tanya which seems like an auto biography as this story also felt like based on true events.
April 30, 2020
This short story from Tanya Thompson is wildly entertaining, telling a tale that is based on a real-life scenario Thompson experienced herself. The book falls into the category of ‘comedy,’ blending satire, and warped humor. Thompson has a unique writing style that is both engaging and outlandish, offering up bizarre and sometimes disturbing anecdotes that will make you laugh out loud. Her writing is intelligent and witty and will appeal to anyone with a dark or slightly twisted sense of humor.
This book will be popular among Thompson’s loyal legion of fans, but as an easy-to-read novella, it also serves as a good introduction to this author’s unusual story-telling style. If there are any criticisms, it’s that this story isn’t long enough. Thompson’s humor is addictive and leaves you craving more. This book is highly recommended to anyone seeking a fun, enjoyable read, though expect to be hooked on this author by the end.
This book will be popular among Thompson’s loyal legion of fans, but as an easy-to-read novella, it also serves as a good introduction to this author’s unusual story-telling style. If there are any criticisms, it’s that this story isn’t long enough. Thompson’s humor is addictive and leaves you craving more. This book is highly recommended to anyone seeking a fun, enjoyable read, though expect to be hooked on this author by the end.
July 14, 2020
Funny and true if you have cats that go outside
We have a cat door, and several cats that like to deposit live animals in our house. From bats, birds, snakes, moles, voles, mice and flying squirrels to frogs, cicadas and grasshoppers we have seen it all. You do have to be careful picking up wild animals, because they bite. Relocating the animals where the cats don't find them again is a challenge sometimes. This book made me laugh at what animals and people go through for living together. A very good read.
We have a cat door, and several cats that like to deposit live animals in our house. From bats, birds, snakes, moles, voles, mice and flying squirrels to frogs, cicadas and grasshoppers we have seen it all. You do have to be careful picking up wild animals, because they bite. Relocating the animals where the cats don't find them again is a challenge sometimes. This book made me laugh at what animals and people go through for living together. A very good read.
January 4, 2020
Odd Little Story
You might not understand the story if you've never fought rats or mice. In some places they're rampant and I've actually had some of the thought the man and woman have. Short kinda fun read.
You might not understand the story if you've never fought rats or mice. In some places they're rampant and I've actually had some of the thought the man and woman have. Short kinda fun read.
September 20, 2019
Unexpected laugh out loud humor. Really enjoyed the read..
It was very funny. I wish it had been a longer read. Ill have to read another book written by Tanya Thompson.
It was very funny. I wish it had been a longer read. Ill have to read another book written by Tanya Thompson.
October 2, 2019
Enjoyed
Right amount of humor and weirdness. One two three four five six seven eight nine ten etc etc etc etc.
Right amount of humor and weirdness. One two three four five six seven eight nine ten etc etc etc etc.
December 11, 2019
Silly, very funny shortish story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews