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The Rat Catcher: A Love Story
LONGLISTED FOR THE ARA HISTORICAL NOVEL PRIZE 2022
SHORTLISTED FOR VIVA LA NOVELLA 2021
In the sweltering summer of 1900, young wharf labourer Patrick O’Reilly is down on his luck in the slums of Sydney and homesick for Tralee. When a deadly outbreak of plague descends on the city, O’Reilly’s daydreaming mind is miles away – in the golden hair and kindly, confident air of a girl called Rosie Hughes.
Just as he’s wondering why any girl would want a no-hoper like him, opportunity knocks with the offer of a job as a rat catcher working for the city’s Plague Department, containing the spread of disease. But the job will bring him a lot more than a pay rise and a swift education on traps and poisons.
In the Public Lending Library, on the top floor of the Queen Victoria Building, above the bustling centre of Sydney, he comes face-to-face with a legendary rat called Old Scratch who will change the way he understands himself and the world forever.
Drawn from Kim Kelly’s own trove of Irish-Australian family lore, The Rat Catcher is a mischievous, fast-paced fable told with her trademark compassion, a sharp eye on the epic in the ordinary, and an irrepressible love for life, in all its marvellous forms.
Praise for The Rat Catcher: A Love Story
'This treasure of a read is cinematic, romantic, and extraordinarily good fun.' Frances Macken, author of You Have to Make Your Own Fun Around here.
'a wonder of a tale — masterfully compressed but endlessly capacious.... Kelly's elegant storytelling is full of wit and wisdom.' Wendy James, author of A Little Bird
'told with sparkling humour reminiscent of Peter Carey' - Alison Booth, author of The Painting
'It will charm you, intrigue you and make you smile.' - Mary-Lou Stephens, author of The Last of the Apple Blossom
SHORTLISTED FOR VIVA LA NOVELLA 2021
In the sweltering summer of 1900, young wharf labourer Patrick O’Reilly is down on his luck in the slums of Sydney and homesick for Tralee. When a deadly outbreak of plague descends on the city, O’Reilly’s daydreaming mind is miles away – in the golden hair and kindly, confident air of a girl called Rosie Hughes.
Just as he’s wondering why any girl would want a no-hoper like him, opportunity knocks with the offer of a job as a rat catcher working for the city’s Plague Department, containing the spread of disease. But the job will bring him a lot more than a pay rise and a swift education on traps and poisons.
In the Public Lending Library, on the top floor of the Queen Victoria Building, above the bustling centre of Sydney, he comes face-to-face with a legendary rat called Old Scratch who will change the way he understands himself and the world forever.
Drawn from Kim Kelly’s own trove of Irish-Australian family lore, The Rat Catcher is a mischievous, fast-paced fable told with her trademark compassion, a sharp eye on the epic in the ordinary, and an irrepressible love for life, in all its marvellous forms.
Praise for The Rat Catcher: A Love Story
'This treasure of a read is cinematic, romantic, and extraordinarily good fun.' Frances Macken, author of You Have to Make Your Own Fun Around here.
'a wonder of a tale — masterfully compressed but endlessly capacious.... Kelly's elegant storytelling is full of wit and wisdom.' Wendy James, author of A Little Bird
'told with sparkling humour reminiscent of Peter Carey' - Alison Booth, author of The Painting
'It will charm you, intrigue you and make you smile.' - Mary-Lou Stephens, author of The Last of the Apple Blossom
117 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2022
6 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Kim Kelly
15 books188 followers‘Why can’t more people write like this?’ – The Age
‘colourful, evocative and energetic’ – Sydney Morning Herald
Kim Kelly is author thirteen novels. Among them are the bestselling, The Blue Mile, and critically acclaimed, Wild Chicory. Her novella, The Rat Catcher, was longlisted for the ARA Historical Novel Prize, and her latest, Ladies' Rest and Writing Room, was awarded the Finlay Lloyd 20/40 Prize.
Also a well-known book editor, Kim has a Master of Creative Writing from Macquarie University, for which she earned the Fred Rush Convocation Prize for writing. She is currently undertaking a PhD in literature at Macquarie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 8, 2022
Sydney, 1900, and Patrick O'Reilly's days at the docks were over so when the priest suggested he line up the following morning for a job as rat catcher - the plague had just arrived on Sydney's shores - Patrick wasn't sure. He didn't want to kill anything, even a rat. But he got the job, and as the plague worsened, his number count of caught rats multiplied.
Rosie Hughes was caring for her injured father, along with her three year old nephew when she met Patrick. His immediate affection for this wonderful girl saw him daydreaming about her as he worked. But circumstances saw them part and when Patrick had to go to the Public Lending Library to eradicate one rat - the one they called Old Scratch - his life changed for the better. Was there a future for the rat catcher and his Rosie?
The Rat Catcher by Aussie author Kim Kelly is a fun, tongue-in-cheek look at Sydney in the days of suffragettes, sewerage and survival. Entertaining and heartwarming, The Rat Catcher is a delight and one I recommend.
Rosie Hughes was caring for her injured father, along with her three year old nephew when she met Patrick. His immediate affection for this wonderful girl saw him daydreaming about her as he worked. But circumstances saw them part and when Patrick had to go to the Public Lending Library to eradicate one rat - the one they called Old Scratch - his life changed for the better. Was there a future for the rat catcher and his Rosie?
The Rat Catcher by Aussie author Kim Kelly is a fun, tongue-in-cheek look at Sydney in the days of suffragettes, sewerage and survival. Entertaining and heartwarming, The Rat Catcher is a delight and one I recommend.
April 8, 2022
What a delightful, and insightful read! Just lovely 🥰
*Some highlights may be spoilers.
Who knew?!…A love story about a Rat Catcher during a time of plague in the beginnings of the year 1900 in Sydney, Australia…but a love story it certainly is, in every sense of the term.
Such a lovely captivating story, and so beguiling yet credible in every possible way.
Kim Kelly, this is a truly lovely story and I hope you will take this leaf out of your own book…
Faith.Maybe that's the most powerful word in the dictionary.
Faith, n., 1. belief, trust; 2. set of religious or spiritual convictions; 3.
fidelity, loyalty.
I would learn, day after day for the rest of my life, the value of
maintaining a little faith in myself. Sometimes it's still a battle, I
won't deny it, but a fight against despair and hopelessness is al-
ways worth the effort.
“-“
This is truly a lovely work of Historical Fiction, with a goodly dose of historical fact, making for a compelling and thought provoking good read.
Hats off to you Kim Kelly!
Recommended for every style of reader.
5⭐️s! 💫
*I love the little rats 🐀 … read it and see.
*Some highlights may be spoilers.
Who knew?!…A love story about a Rat Catcher during a time of plague in the beginnings of the year 1900 in Sydney, Australia…but a love story it certainly is, in every sense of the term.
Such a lovely captivating story, and so beguiling yet credible in every possible way.
Kim Kelly, this is a truly lovely story and I hope you will take this leaf out of your own book…
Faith.Maybe that's the most powerful word in the dictionary.
Faith, n., 1. belief, trust; 2. set of religious or spiritual convictions; 3.
fidelity, loyalty.
I would learn, day after day for the rest of my life, the value of
maintaining a little faith in myself. Sometimes it's still a battle, I
won't deny it, but a fight against despair and hopelessness is al-
ways worth the effort.
“-“
This is truly a lovely work of Historical Fiction, with a goodly dose of historical fact, making for a compelling and thought provoking good read.
Hats off to you Kim Kelly!
Recommended for every style of reader.
5⭐️s! 💫
*I love the little rats 🐀 … read it and see.
April 1, 2023
‘Never underestimate the ingenuity of an Irishman in love.’
This is a historical fiction by Australian author Kim Kelly, set in 1900 Sydney during the time of the bubonic plague. Irishman Patrick O’Reilly finds himself working for the city as a rat-catcher in a large-scale attempt to contain the plague which had reached Sydney through its shipping industries. Patrick finds himself struggling to keep his job killing creatures, which he finds abhorrent, in particular when he comes across giant veteran rat Ol’ Scratch. He is also torn by the need to keep working, especially when he finds himself head over heels in love with Rosie Hughes. This is a fairly quaintly romantic novella. Patrick is definitely one of the good guys, however I found his self-effacing nature with his perpetual self-denigration irritating after a while. I wondered if this is the idealised type of male protagonist a female author would write, in contrast to the brash and confident heroes common in fiction.
I found the historical part of the story interesting. I did not realise Sydney had struggled with outbreaks of bubonic plague from 1900 to 1925 with a total of 1371 recorded cases occurring Australia wide. This was a short and light read. 3.5 stars for me.
This is a historical fiction by Australian author Kim Kelly, set in 1900 Sydney during the time of the bubonic plague. Irishman Patrick O’Reilly finds himself working for the city as a rat-catcher in a large-scale attempt to contain the plague which had reached Sydney through its shipping industries. Patrick finds himself struggling to keep his job killing creatures, which he finds abhorrent, in particular when he comes across giant veteran rat Ol’ Scratch. He is also torn by the need to keep working, especially when he finds himself head over heels in love with Rosie Hughes. This is a fairly quaintly romantic novella. Patrick is definitely one of the good guys, however I found his self-effacing nature with his perpetual self-denigration irritating after a while. I wondered if this is the idealised type of male protagonist a female author would write, in contrast to the brash and confident heroes common in fiction.
I found the historical part of the story interesting. I did not realise Sydney had struggled with outbreaks of bubonic plague from 1900 to 1925 with a total of 1371 recorded cases occurring Australia wide. This was a short and light read. 3.5 stars for me.
August 25, 2023
The Rat Catcher by Aussie author Kim Kelly is a delightful book set in the Summer of 1900. I must admit this was far better than I thought it would be. For a book that was just under two hundred pages, this book had a lot going for it. A lovely fun and quick read that I enjoyed.
September 5, 2022
‘Never underestimate the ingenuity of an Irishman in love.’
Sydney, Australia, 1900. Young wharf labourer Patrick O’Reilly had lost his job on the wharf when he was five minutes late one morning and another Patrick O’Reilly took his place. And Sydney just now is in the grips of a deadly plague outbreak. Patrick needs a job, and while he’s not keen on killing rats, when Father Ryan tells him that the City Council will be employing rat catchers, he takes the opportunity.
For a girl called Rosie Hughes has caught Patrick O’Reilly’s eye.
In pursuit of rats, Patrick finds himself in the Public Lending Library on the top floor of the Queen Victoria Building. He’d not ventured in before, thinking himself too poor and not well enough dressed. But when he comes face-to-face with a legendary rat called Old Scratch, Patrick finds his life changes for the better. Will his changed circumstances enable him to make a life with Rosie?
In this delightful novella, Ms Kelly takes us into the lives of ordinary people struggling to make ends meet in Sydney at the beginning of the 20th century. The plague made hard lives even more difficult but those who love life usually triumph against adversity.
I finished reading this with a smile on my face.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Sydney, Australia, 1900. Young wharf labourer Patrick O’Reilly had lost his job on the wharf when he was five minutes late one morning and another Patrick O’Reilly took his place. And Sydney just now is in the grips of a deadly plague outbreak. Patrick needs a job, and while he’s not keen on killing rats, when Father Ryan tells him that the City Council will be employing rat catchers, he takes the opportunity.
For a girl called Rosie Hughes has caught Patrick O’Reilly’s eye.
In pursuit of rats, Patrick finds himself in the Public Lending Library on the top floor of the Queen Victoria Building. He’d not ventured in before, thinking himself too poor and not well enough dressed. But when he comes face-to-face with a legendary rat called Old Scratch, Patrick finds his life changes for the better. Will his changed circumstances enable him to make a life with Rosie?
In this delightful novella, Ms Kelly takes us into the lives of ordinary people struggling to make ends meet in Sydney at the beginning of the 20th century. The plague made hard lives even more difficult but those who love life usually triumph against adversity.
I finished reading this with a smile on my face.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
April 7, 2022
It was his voice - the liltingly Irish voice - of Patrick O'Reilly I first fell in love with.
And as is the way with any passionate love affair, I was very soon madly in love with the man himself and his delightful, meandering, honest and often whimsical storytelling. Not to mention his compassion, kindness, intelligence, modesty, self-awareness, generosity of spirit ...
I could go on, but I'm sure by now you understand that The Rat Catcher: A love story is a glittering gem in the shining body of Kim Kelly's works.
It's also a sobering and enlightening social history, reflecting not only on Patrick O'Reilly's era but on the history of humankind itself.
All this is woven around the beautiful love story of Patrick and Rosie, and occasional tall tales that both Patrick O'Reilly and Kim Kelly assure us are true.
Although this is a slim volume - or perhaps because of that - I chose to read it slowly, savouring every moment, not wanting my love affair to end.
And it hasn't, really, because this book will always have a special place in my heart.
Thank you, thank you, Kim Kelly!
And as is the way with any passionate love affair, I was very soon madly in love with the man himself and his delightful, meandering, honest and often whimsical storytelling. Not to mention his compassion, kindness, intelligence, modesty, self-awareness, generosity of spirit ...
I could go on, but I'm sure by now you understand that The Rat Catcher: A love story is a glittering gem in the shining body of Kim Kelly's works.
It's also a sobering and enlightening social history, reflecting not only on Patrick O'Reilly's era but on the history of humankind itself.
All this is woven around the beautiful love story of Patrick and Rosie, and occasional tall tales that both Patrick O'Reilly and Kim Kelly assure us are true.
Although this is a slim volume - or perhaps because of that - I chose to read it slowly, savouring every moment, not wanting my love affair to end.
And it hasn't, really, because this book will always have a special place in my heart.
Thank you, thank you, Kim Kelly!
April 17, 2022
‘Never underestimate the ingenuity of an Irishman in love.’
Just as the above quote is the opening line of this novel, so it is that it will be the opening line of this review because that line sets the stage for everything that is to come within this marvellous little gem of a story.
Unless you are new to following my reviews, you will be familiar with my adoration for Kim Kelly’s novels. There is no other writer like her for blending social and political Australian history with grand love. And I don’t mean romance, I mean grand, sweeping, heart shuddering love. There’s an enormous difference, trust me on this.
‘Faith. Maybe that’s the most powerful word in the dictionary.
Faith, n., 1. belief, trust; 2. set of religious or spiritual convictions; 3. fidelity, loyalty.
I would learn, day after day for the rest of my life, the value of maintaining a little faith in myself. Sometimes it’s still a battle, I won’t deny it, but a fight against despair and hopelessness is always worth the effort.’
What a marvel Kim Kelly is. From a kernel of history about rat catching during the bubonic plague times in Sydney of 1900 to this magnificent novel. I am endlessly in awe of her talent and vision. Her commentary on who suffers the most during a plague rings eerily true when regarded within the context of our current pandemic.
The Rat Catcher is a luminous novel that you will devour in one sitting. It’s written so beautifully, with a cadence owing to the era combined with a wry Irish migrant insight that is both humorous and heartbreaking in equal measure. If you have never yet read a novel by Kim Kelly, please immediately rush out and do so. Her words will leave an imprint upon your heart and change the way you think about Australian history.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
Just as the above quote is the opening line of this novel, so it is that it will be the opening line of this review because that line sets the stage for everything that is to come within this marvellous little gem of a story.
Unless you are new to following my reviews, you will be familiar with my adoration for Kim Kelly’s novels. There is no other writer like her for blending social and political Australian history with grand love. And I don’t mean romance, I mean grand, sweeping, heart shuddering love. There’s an enormous difference, trust me on this.
‘Faith. Maybe that’s the most powerful word in the dictionary.
Faith, n., 1. belief, trust; 2. set of religious or spiritual convictions; 3. fidelity, loyalty.
I would learn, day after day for the rest of my life, the value of maintaining a little faith in myself. Sometimes it’s still a battle, I won’t deny it, but a fight against despair and hopelessness is always worth the effort.’
What a marvel Kim Kelly is. From a kernel of history about rat catching during the bubonic plague times in Sydney of 1900 to this magnificent novel. I am endlessly in awe of her talent and vision. Her commentary on who suffers the most during a plague rings eerily true when regarded within the context of our current pandemic.
The Rat Catcher is a luminous novel that you will devour in one sitting. It’s written so beautifully, with a cadence owing to the era combined with a wry Irish migrant insight that is both humorous and heartbreaking in equal measure. If you have never yet read a novel by Kim Kelly, please immediately rush out and do so. Her words will leave an imprint upon your heart and change the way you think about Australian history.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
February 22, 2024
4.5 stars
Review to come
Review to come
January 28, 2024
A delightful little love story set in the final years of Victorian Sydney.
You probably wouldn't pick rats and the plague as the two best bedfellows for romance but Kelly almost seems to relish the challenge.
The story does a great job of evoking Sydney in the 1900's.
The main character Patrick O'Reilly is pretty much an Irish Australian Forrest Gump and as such extremely likeable. His Jenny is Rosie Hughes, who seems to be an angel fallen from heaven.
I felt sad for O'Reilly who despite getting his happy ending didn't really seem to have any friends.
A good quick read especially for people who work or live in Inner Sydney.
Kelly writes of Patrick:
You could say of Kelly:
You probably wouldn't pick rats and the plague as the two best bedfellows for romance but Kelly almost seems to relish the challenge.
The story does a great job of evoking Sydney in the 1900's.
The main character Patrick O'Reilly is pretty much an Irish Australian Forrest Gump and as such extremely likeable. His Jenny is Rosie Hughes, who seems to be an angel fallen from heaven.
I felt sad for O'Reilly who despite getting his happy ending didn't really seem to have any friends.
A good quick read especially for people who work or live in Inner Sydney.
Kelly writes of Patrick:
‘Never underestimate the ingenuity of an Irishman in love.’
You could say of Kelly:
'Never underestimate the ingenuity of an Irishwoman with a pen.'
November 13, 2022
Key notes were hit here, for me, by Kim Kelly in this delightful tale of an Irish Rat Catcher during the 1900 bubonic plague outbreak in Sydney. The main character's self effacing humorous narration (by Irish actor Alan Devally) is spot on. I even developed a soft spot for Ol' Scratch the cheeky rat.
An entertaining way to learn about a few of the foibles of the past which seem to be repeated often enough in the present day and probably the future.
It's my first of Kim Kelly's work that I've had the pleasure to read but it won't be the last.
An entertaining way to learn about a few of the foibles of the past which seem to be repeated often enough in the present day and probably the future.
It's my first of Kim Kelly's work that I've had the pleasure to read but it won't be the last.
August 1, 2025
I loved this Australian story, set during Victorian times. I have only just discovered this author and will be reading more books by Kim Kelly.
April 27, 2023
An accidental reread because my friend Adrian said how much she loved The Rat Catcher so I opened it at the. It’s page and settled on in for the afternoon! I love Patrick and Rosie x being in Sydney in the summer of 1900 as it sweltered and battles a rat infestation was so enjoyable alongside them. This is such a short story done so well, not a image wasted or superfluous sentence. I absolutely loved it just as much the second time round, I knew not to be scared of Old Scratch!
August 27, 2022
Completely surprising historical romance! I really loved how laugh out loud funny it was, but also poignant and beautifully descriptive.
I'll look out for more by this author
I'll look out for more by this author
January 3, 2024
I would like to give this book 3 1/2 stars as it was a fun little story.
May 31, 2024
A sweet, easy read. 3 stars.
April 9, 2022
Absolutely loved The Rat Catcher :A Love Story
Hearing the history of Sydney in 1900
Following Patrick around Its streets and it’s suburbs
and the characters who lived there, compared to now
Loved Patrick, and I’m sure we’ll meet him and the enchanting Rosie again
Hearing the history of Sydney in 1900
Following Patrick around Its streets and it’s suburbs
and the characters who lived there, compared to now
Loved Patrick, and I’m sure we’ll meet him and the enchanting Rosie again
May 5, 2022
I do love Kim Kelly's writing and when she's on fire she's really flaming and this book is no exception. Full of beautiful lyrical prose that took my breath away, this is a lovely sweet story that dances through the pages. It's absolutely no wonder it was shortlisted for the Viva La Novella prize - its deserving of the accolade. The writing evokes wonderful images of 1900's Sydney and of rats. I dont think I'll ever look at them in the same way again. Kim is a great researcher and feeds some of the gems she finds into her story in wonderful little footnotes. A fantastic little book that is a quick, easy and delightful read.
October 13, 2022
Long listed for the ARA Historical Novel Prize 2022, this was an entertaining novel. The story revolved around a bubonic plague in Sydney around 1900. It is a love story as well of two Irish immigrants. This is an engaging historical novel. And, as happens far too much, the poor suffered more than the rich.
March 7, 2026
My streak of dud Aussie-authored novels is broken! This was one I came across while browsing the Australian Author collection of audiobooks in BorrowBox (available through my library), and I thought it sounded interesting, especially since the historical Sydney setting was the one element I enjoyed about A Room Made of Leaves. The Rat Catcher was a short, sweet, and ultimately uplifting novella that also deftly weaves in political and social commentary. I loved it!
The novella follows Irish immigrant Paddy O’Reilly as he takes on a new job as a rat catcher in the city’s battle against the spreading plague, and also falls in love with the beguiling Rosie Hughes. Paddy is funny, kind-hearted, a loveable dreamer, whom I was rooting for from the start. There’s also a charming parallel between our man Paddy and the legendary rat Old Scratch: both larger than average, both a bit hairy, both breaking out of their cages, both with an (inexplicable) gravitational pull toward the library!
We get to know Rosie a little less, though that’s partly just the nature of the novella format. What we do see is a woman of real resilience, empathy and agency. By the end, she’s throwing herself into the suffragette movement; one of several moments where the story gestures toward larger social change without being heavy-handed about it. To support her family, she’d been on the game, and one of Paddy’s many commendable qualities is that he never has any judgment for this. He understands she was just doing what she had to do to survive.
I knew virtually nothing about 1900s Sydney before picking this up, and nothing at all about the city’s experience with the bubonic plague. What I found particularly eye-opening was how the city’s response to the outbreak fell hardest on its poorest residents. The worst slum buildings were demolished while landlords were compensated, meaning it was often in a landlord’s financial interest for their tenants to contract the plague! Richer neighbourhoods received less disruptive treatments, their businesses stayed open, and their belongings survived. The poorest lost their homes and had what little they had left destroyed. Isn’t social injustice depressingly timeless?
There’s also a lovely thread running through the story about Irish immigration and the lack of opportunity that pushed people like Paddy to Sydney in the first place. Life on the docks was precarious, where one injury or bout of ill health could tip a family into disaster. Rosie’s situation captures that vulnerability without being maudlin about it. As Paddy reflects, it is still better to be jobless in Sydney than jobless back home in Ireland. In Australia, there will be work to be found, and the sun will be shining.
The narrator of the audiobook – Alan Devally – was also fantastic, and really brought Paddy to life and gave the whole thing a warmth and personality that had me blowing through all 4 hours in a couple of days! I had a smile on my face reading this one.
For something so short, it packs in a surprising amount: class politics, the immigrant experience, gender, faith, access to education and opportunity, and a genuinely sweet love story at its centre. Highly recommended. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from Kim Kelly!
For the Law of Fives bingo, this one gets me: Aussie author, Historical, under 200 pages and an animal (rats!)!
REVIEW SUMMARY
I LIKED
- Sweet and uplifting.
- Interesting historical background.
- Touches on relevant social issues without being heavy-handed.
I DIDN’T LIKE
- It’s so short!
The novella follows Irish immigrant Paddy O’Reilly as he takes on a new job as a rat catcher in the city’s battle against the spreading plague, and also falls in love with the beguiling Rosie Hughes. Paddy is funny, kind-hearted, a loveable dreamer, whom I was rooting for from the start. There’s also a charming parallel between our man Paddy and the legendary rat Old Scratch: both larger than average, both a bit hairy, both breaking out of their cages, both with an (inexplicable) gravitational pull toward the library!
We get to know Rosie a little less, though that’s partly just the nature of the novella format. What we do see is a woman of real resilience, empathy and agency. By the end, she’s throwing herself into the suffragette movement; one of several moments where the story gestures toward larger social change without being heavy-handed about it. To support her family, she’d been on the game, and one of Paddy’s many commendable qualities is that he never has any judgment for this. He understands she was just doing what she had to do to survive.
I knew virtually nothing about 1900s Sydney before picking this up, and nothing at all about the city’s experience with the bubonic plague. What I found particularly eye-opening was how the city’s response to the outbreak fell hardest on its poorest residents. The worst slum buildings were demolished while landlords were compensated, meaning it was often in a landlord’s financial interest for their tenants to contract the plague! Richer neighbourhoods received less disruptive treatments, their businesses stayed open, and their belongings survived. The poorest lost their homes and had what little they had left destroyed. Isn’t social injustice depressingly timeless?
There’s also a lovely thread running through the story about Irish immigration and the lack of opportunity that pushed people like Paddy to Sydney in the first place. Life on the docks was precarious, where one injury or bout of ill health could tip a family into disaster. Rosie’s situation captures that vulnerability without being maudlin about it. As Paddy reflects, it is still better to be jobless in Sydney than jobless back home in Ireland. In Australia, there will be work to be found, and the sun will be shining.
The narrator of the audiobook – Alan Devally – was also fantastic, and really brought Paddy to life and gave the whole thing a warmth and personality that had me blowing through all 4 hours in a couple of days! I had a smile on my face reading this one.
For something so short, it packs in a surprising amount: class politics, the immigrant experience, gender, faith, access to education and opportunity, and a genuinely sweet love story at its centre. Highly recommended. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from Kim Kelly!
For the Law of Fives bingo, this one gets me: Aussie author, Historical, under 200 pages and an animal (rats!)!
REVIEW SUMMARY
I LIKED
- Sweet and uplifting.
- Interesting historical background.
- Touches on relevant social issues without being heavy-handed.
I DIDN’T LIKE
- It’s so short!
October 17, 2022
I saw a Bookstagrammer post about The Rat Catcher and was instantly intrigued (though slightly put off by the title and cover, I'll admit). When I saw it available on audio and only 4 hours long, I didn't hesitate to download. And what a charming and insightful tale (no pun intended) it turned out to be.
I firstly have to commend the narrator (Alan Devally) for the wonderful job he did of reading this one. His strong Irish lilt was the perfect accompaniment, bringing wit, shock, honesty, and compassion to the narration, as well as painting a brilliant picture of Patrick O'Reilly - the friendly giant who finds work as a rat catcher during the plague, battling with the inhumane act of killing and trying to keep communities free from disease. This as well as trying to get the girl of his dreams to marry him.
It's definitely more of a character-driven novel than a plot-driven one, but it's primarily based on truth and I learned a lot about the plague that swept the world in 1900 and how Australia as a nation came together to abolish the disease. This is something I knew nothing about prior to reading, so it was worth it just for the history and insights alone. I also loved Patrick's character and his inward struggles, both as a rat-catcher and as a human being. I was rooting for him from the start and hoped he would have his much-deserved happy ending. It's an enchanting story brimming with charm, wisdom, and romance that will warm your very heart.
Rating breakdown
Plot/narrative - 4
Writing style/readability - 4.3
Characters - 4.5
Diverse themes - 4.4
Ending - 4.1
Overall - 4.3
I firstly have to commend the narrator (Alan Devally) for the wonderful job he did of reading this one. His strong Irish lilt was the perfect accompaniment, bringing wit, shock, honesty, and compassion to the narration, as well as painting a brilliant picture of Patrick O'Reilly - the friendly giant who finds work as a rat catcher during the plague, battling with the inhumane act of killing and trying to keep communities free from disease. This as well as trying to get the girl of his dreams to marry him.
It's definitely more of a character-driven novel than a plot-driven one, but it's primarily based on truth and I learned a lot about the plague that swept the world in 1900 and how Australia as a nation came together to abolish the disease. This is something I knew nothing about prior to reading, so it was worth it just for the history and insights alone. I also loved Patrick's character and his inward struggles, both as a rat-catcher and as a human being. I was rooting for him from the start and hoped he would have his much-deserved happy ending. It's an enchanting story brimming with charm, wisdom, and romance that will warm your very heart.
Rating breakdown
Plot/narrative - 4
Writing style/readability - 4.3
Characters - 4.5
Diverse themes - 4.4
Ending - 4.1
Overall - 4.3
October 28, 2022
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Rat Catcher
By Kim Kelly
When @meredith.reads of @currentlyreadingpodcast spoke about needing a book to clear her chakras following a spell of horror reads, I loved the notion, but didn't feel the need, I'm not a mood reader per se. But it put me on the lookout for something that might fit that brief, and this is it!
At 117 pages you'd be hard pressed to find anyone that this novella wouldn't appeal to. Set in 1900s Sydney during the 3rd plague it is a very funny and romantic story of Irish immigrant Pat O'Reilly who would charm the birds from the trees.
In a few short hours I was transported to turn of the century Sydney, where bookish Pat is recruited as a rat catcher for the Plague Department, meets the love of his life, Rosie Hughes and finds his way in life.
I smiled my way through this cracking bit of fun and philosophy and you will too. My chakras are fully cleansed and I'm ready for whatever my TBR says I'm reading next.
***I highly recommend the audio, as Alan Devally's narration is a performance you will not forget***
#bookreview #theratcatcher #kimkelly #aussiefiction #alandevally #novella
The Rat Catcher
By Kim Kelly
When @meredith.reads of @currentlyreadingpodcast spoke about needing a book to clear her chakras following a spell of horror reads, I loved the notion, but didn't feel the need, I'm not a mood reader per se. But it put me on the lookout for something that might fit that brief, and this is it!
At 117 pages you'd be hard pressed to find anyone that this novella wouldn't appeal to. Set in 1900s Sydney during the 3rd plague it is a very funny and romantic story of Irish immigrant Pat O'Reilly who would charm the birds from the trees.
In a few short hours I was transported to turn of the century Sydney, where bookish Pat is recruited as a rat catcher for the Plague Department, meets the love of his life, Rosie Hughes and finds his way in life.
I smiled my way through this cracking bit of fun and philosophy and you will too. My chakras are fully cleansed and I'm ready for whatever my TBR says I'm reading next.
***I highly recommend the audio, as Alan Devally's narration is a performance you will not forget***
#bookreview #theratcatcher #kimkelly #aussiefiction #alandevally #novella
June 2, 2025
This book was very well written. The setting was very easy to imagine, not only because it was presented very well due to thorough research, but I know the city of Sydney very well, so drew on my own memories of my time there to fill out the page. Patrick was a great character to follow; I was fascinated by his morals and how he tried to rationalise his choices whilst staying true to who he was. I also loved watching his relationship with Rosie develop, but I wish she had more time to grow on the page and I would have liked to learn more about her. The relationship with Old Scratch I thought was also a good through line and helped exemplify the themes. The only drawbacks are the fact that it’s written in first person and I truly don’t like that perspective, and I would have liked more development from Rosie because she’s an important character. Definitely worth the read!
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January 26, 2023This is a wonderful small book set in Sydney around Federation and during a bubonic plague. Patrick has immigrated from poverty in Ireland and is trying to find permanent work. He is given the job as a rat catcher and quickly goes up the ladder in promotions. The problem is that Patrick is a sensitive, kind man who loves life, women and all animals and finds rats adorable. We find out a lot about Sydney in 1900 and a lot more about rat catching and it is all very interesting. The sweetener is the romance between Patrick and Rosie who is also impoverished. All turns out well for Patrick and his girlfriend and even for The Scratcher, the huge rat who has been scurrying all over Sydney. A lovely read.
June 18, 2022
A delightful TALL tale set in Sydney in 1900. The historical detail is brilliant, Sydney & inner suburbs, swimming at Little Coogee (Clovelly) beach, the ferry out to Parramatta Park, the slums - I didn't know Wentworth Park's history - the library at Queen Victoria Markets, the bubonic plague.
Patrick O'Reilly is a poor immigrant from Tralee, sending his wages home to his mother. He is beautifully written: intelligent, well-educated by the brutal Brothers in Ireland, kind & compassionate to all living things. A big, handsome hero, unsure of himself & his worthiness, in love with Rosie Hughes. What a man!
Amusing & well-written - I'll have to find more by this author.
Patrick O'Reilly is a poor immigrant from Tralee, sending his wages home to his mother. He is beautifully written: intelligent, well-educated by the brutal Brothers in Ireland, kind & compassionate to all living things. A big, handsome hero, unsure of himself & his worthiness, in love with Rosie Hughes. What a man!
Amusing & well-written - I'll have to find more by this author.
October 26, 2022
This story is short, but sweet. Set in Sydney at the turn of the 20th century, it tells of Patrick O'Reilly, an Irish immigrant down on his luck, who takes a job with the Council as a rat catcher. He ultimately finds himself amid the trauma of the outbreak of bubonic plague and the effects of attempts to control it (hence the rat-catching job).
Kim Kelly evokes the Sydney of the time. Not the Eastern suburbs where the rich people lived, but the streets of the dock areas around the harbour. She tells of the dispossession of the people who lived in mean housing which was demolished, but also of their grit and care for each other. Loved how it was told in Patrick's voice with wit and humour.
Kim Kelly evokes the Sydney of the time. Not the Eastern suburbs where the rich people lived, but the streets of the dock areas around the harbour. She tells of the dispossession of the people who lived in mean housing which was demolished, but also of their grit and care for each other. Loved how it was told in Patrick's voice with wit and humour.
November 19, 2022
Absolutely delightful. The reading of this audiobook by a careful reader with a lilting Irish accent only enhanced this experience.
Set in Sydney in 1900 it described totally unfamiliar streets and docks and historical happenings, but it was easy to follow and interestingly informative. What a big, bumbling, honest, trying, likeable, caring, deeply Catholic Irish lad Patrick O’Reilly was. It was just a lovely, uplifting story.
To think I nearly missed it because I thought it was about rats. Well, it was. But so much more.
Set in Sydney in 1900 it described totally unfamiliar streets and docks and historical happenings, but it was easy to follow and interestingly informative. What a big, bumbling, honest, trying, likeable, caring, deeply Catholic Irish lad Patrick O’Reilly was. It was just a lovely, uplifting story.
To think I nearly missed it because I thought it was about rats. Well, it was. But so much more.
January 26, 2026
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. 3.5*- 4*, I won’t necessarily revisit but I would like to explore more of the authors work if there is any.
A brief and simple portrait of how overtly the less fortunate in society are treated and dismissed. Our protagonist is unsettled by this, but chooses to continue to play his part for the opportunity of ‘love’.
In my eyes, not at all a love story.
A brief and simple portrait of how overtly the less fortunate in society are treated and dismissed. Our protagonist is unsettled by this, but chooses to continue to play his part for the opportunity of ‘love’.
In my eyes, not at all a love story.
October 30, 2024
I did not expect to.like this story as much as I did. It is a story of true love. Oh, wait. Not just one story. There are two true love stories hidden in this tale. The usual between man and woman and the less obvious love story about a man finding his worth.
I'd give it more stars if they were available.
I am not the best at writing reviews so I'll leave at that.
I'd give it more stars if they were available.
I am not the best at writing reviews so I'll leave at that.
May 24, 2023
I just loved this story. I really warmed to the main character and the unusual storyline! It is full of heart and humour. It waves the flag for kindness and goodness. I will be reading more Kim Kelly for sure.
February 21, 2024
This enchanting short book made me smile. I learnt a lot about rates and the early Australia bkackmpjj k ague history The young Irish charmer found his true love even with all the tats about. Totally different sort of love story.
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