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RAT
"RAT" is the story of an unnamed orphan boy, born of a nameless prostitute, fleeing from his orphanage into the alleyways and gutters of Old London. Rescued by the owners of a seaside pub, he grows into becoming a man ever seeking his destiny.
At 12 he's taken aboard the trading ship, Narcissus and after growing up under the tutelage of Captain Confidence Witherspoon-being given a new name he ends up in San Francisco. The saga takes our hero across America where he meets the unusual family of the DuBois House in Mobile. Ending up in Savannah he's involved in the 'sparing of Savannah' from Sherman's deadly march to the sea. Ever seeking his destiny he hopes his mansion in Savannah will give him the roots he has sought from his precarious birth.
At 12 he's taken aboard the trading ship, Narcissus and after growing up under the tutelage of Captain Confidence Witherspoon-being given a new name he ends up in San Francisco. The saga takes our hero across America where he meets the unusual family of the DuBois House in Mobile. Ending up in Savannah he's involved in the 'sparing of Savannah' from Sherman's deadly march to the sea. Ever seeking his destiny he hopes his mansion in Savannah will give him the roots he has sought from his precarious birth.
209 pages, Paperback
Published May 3, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 14, 2022
This book will be something one day. Mark my word.
This one was obviously not a book of quotes. Nor was it deliberately intended or pretending to be a self-improvement, non-fictional piece. Yet, ironically, it had heaps of lines worth quoting for posterity.
One of my favourites was this: “Someday, I’ll vow, ye’ll be sumbuddy, Mark my word!”
Going beyond and digging deeper than its superficial technical shortcomings, I was swayed to focus more on the significance of the same concoction of letters, words, and punctuations. In real life, indeed, we tend to judge or be judged by others by what initially meets the eye and based on pre-conceived or socially-conditioned parameters and standards. Sadly, the attention we seek or avoid borne out of our circumstances or readily-apparent manifestations that do not meet these benchmarks verge towards criticism and – worse – discrimination, contempt, harassment, or even expulsion or extermination.
Yet, should these trends continue to be? History says anything destructive should cease. Yet the objective is not always achieved. Oftentimes, there are too many factors and variables to consider that a straightforward, universal answer is too impossible to approximate and much more so to perfectly attain.
Going back to this book, should it be gauged per usual parameters? Perhaps yes. Perhaps not. Yet, for me, there were heaps more below the tip of the iceberg, which shouldn’t always be the Titanic antagonist it’s more popular or infamous for. In fact, the iceberg’s continued existence may even be exactly what mankind will and should now hope to always spot for future generations’ sake and all.
To cut my long story short, I loved that this piece had imperfections and ironies enough to force the mind to think and ponder more. It had insights and trinkets of hope that I sought especially when I needed them most and yet they were too hard to come by.
A nameless merchant once said something striking to Rat. It’s exactly what I should utter for “Rat.”
This one was obviously not a book of quotes. Nor was it deliberately intended or pretending to be a self-improvement, non-fictional piece. Yet, ironically, it had heaps of lines worth quoting for posterity.
One of my favourites was this: “Someday, I’ll vow, ye’ll be sumbuddy, Mark my word!”
Going beyond and digging deeper than its superficial technical shortcomings, I was swayed to focus more on the significance of the same concoction of letters, words, and punctuations. In real life, indeed, we tend to judge or be judged by others by what initially meets the eye and based on pre-conceived or socially-conditioned parameters and standards. Sadly, the attention we seek or avoid borne out of our circumstances or readily-apparent manifestations that do not meet these benchmarks verge towards criticism and – worse – discrimination, contempt, harassment, or even expulsion or extermination.
Yet, should these trends continue to be? History says anything destructive should cease. Yet the objective is not always achieved. Oftentimes, there are too many factors and variables to consider that a straightforward, universal answer is too impossible to approximate and much more so to perfectly attain.
Going back to this book, should it be gauged per usual parameters? Perhaps yes. Perhaps not. Yet, for me, there were heaps more below the tip of the iceberg, which shouldn’t always be the Titanic antagonist it’s more popular or infamous for. In fact, the iceberg’s continued existence may even be exactly what mankind will and should now hope to always spot for future generations’ sake and all.
To cut my long story short, I loved that this piece had imperfections and ironies enough to force the mind to think and ponder more. It had insights and trinkets of hope that I sought especially when I needed them most and yet they were too hard to come by.
A nameless merchant once said something striking to Rat. It’s exactly what I should utter for “Rat.”
January 15, 2022
It’s a book on humanity and what it is to be human.
Yes. It had the worst, yet that was not necessarily a bad thing.
Yes again. “RAT” by Priscilla B Shuler showed me the shady bits and parts – doing something unacceptable out of necessity or vanity, choosing the unthinkable merely to save face or because we think it’s the way to go, mistrusting or trusting too much, and all else that’s flawed, imperfect, defiant, wayward, unwanted, or some other ugly versions of life’s realities.
Yet, in the end, regardless of whether or not we acknowledge that we are the ones solely or collectively at fault for what we are, think, say, feel, or do, it’s what we do thereafter that matters more. Should we continue? Or will there be true remorse and commitment towards reparations?
RAT’s story wasn’t about perfection. It was about turning lemons into lemon pies, creating mosaic pieces out of broken glass, gathering rocks thrown and turning them into stepping stones towards betterment, or finding and creating the bright light of hope from unlikely sources and even in the midst of troubling storms or the dreariest situations.
Will RAT make it through? Will humanity overcome today? Shuler’s work and our past have the albeit-proverbial clue or perhaps more.
Yes. It had the worst, yet that was not necessarily a bad thing.
Yes again. “RAT” by Priscilla B Shuler showed me the shady bits and parts – doing something unacceptable out of necessity or vanity, choosing the unthinkable merely to save face or because we think it’s the way to go, mistrusting or trusting too much, and all else that’s flawed, imperfect, defiant, wayward, unwanted, or some other ugly versions of life’s realities.
Yet, in the end, regardless of whether or not we acknowledge that we are the ones solely or collectively at fault for what we are, think, say, feel, or do, it’s what we do thereafter that matters more. Should we continue? Or will there be true remorse and commitment towards reparations?
RAT’s story wasn’t about perfection. It was about turning lemons into lemon pies, creating mosaic pieces out of broken glass, gathering rocks thrown and turning them into stepping stones towards betterment, or finding and creating the bright light of hope from unlikely sources and even in the midst of troubling storms or the dreariest situations.
Will RAT make it through? Will humanity overcome today? Shuler’s work and our past have the albeit-proverbial clue or perhaps more.
January 15, 2022
Five stars!
From the stinking alleyway of London, an eventful sea journey, a precarious encounter back on land, and a meaningful life with newfound family, friends or not so, and acquaintances along the way to episodes he never expected yet came to treasure – RAT’s story in the multi-genre “RAT” by Priscilla B Shuler is a smorgasbord of emotional highs, heart-breaking lows, relatable insights, historical peeks, and endearing snippets on lives and love.
Yes. If you insist that I’d find improvement areas here and there, I would if I should. Yet, at this point, I choose not. And, it’s for a reason far more compelling than the mere need for me to please or conform.
From the stinking alleyway of London, an eventful sea journey, a precarious encounter back on land, and a meaningful life with newfound family, friends or not so, and acquaintances along the way to episodes he never expected yet came to treasure – RAT’s story in the multi-genre “RAT” by Priscilla B Shuler is a smorgasbord of emotional highs, heart-breaking lows, relatable insights, historical peeks, and endearing snippets on lives and love.
Yes. If you insist that I’d find improvement areas here and there, I would if I should. Yet, at this point, I choose not. And, it’s for a reason far more compelling than the mere need for me to please or conform.
January 15, 2022
Unputdownable!
I wasn’t put down by this book that I couldn’t and didn’t put down. It’s truly read-worthy!
Need I say more? I may do so later on, yet this will suffice for now.
Will I say anything different? There’d be more to stress my point, but inherently different they would definitely not be.
I wasn’t put down by this book that I couldn’t and didn’t put down. It’s truly read-worthy!
Need I say more? I may do so later on, yet this will suffice for now.
Will I say anything different? There’d be more to stress my point, but inherently different they would definitely not be.
December 5, 2021
this is nice willl surely add this one
December 5, 2021
An inspiring story that is a must read! Go buy and read it now :)
December 5, 2021
this is a great book. I'm going to recommend this to my friends and family too. kudos to the author who wrote this masterpiece. good job!
March 2, 2022
Rat by Priscilla B. Shuler is a coming-of-age story that features Ryan Alexander Trenton. Abandoned in childhood as an orphan, he gradually paves his path in life, becoming a respectable gentleman. His story was a remarkable one, full of daring adventures. The story also offers much in the romantic department, making it a wholesome read. The intriguing cast of characters with their unique backstories make this an engrossing read. The novel is an emotional roller-coaster offering the readers absolute joy, mind-numbing grief, and everything in between.
You can find the full version of this review here:
https://thechrysalisbrewproject.com/2...
You can find the full version of this review here:
https://thechrysalisbrewproject.com/2...
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews