Review by gwenpool - We Could Be Rats

gwenpool 's review for:

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin

4.25

emotional hopeful reflective

Loveable characters: Yes

“If you decide to read this, please keep in mind it’s my first suicide note, and I’m a bad writer.”

this book is so personal to me i feel like Emily Austin looked into my brain to write it.

i have this memory from when i was younger where my older sister is covering me with a blanket while our parents have their millionth fight of the day. i barely talk to her anymore but it’s probably one of my most vivid memories that formed who i am today and there’s a scene in this book that describes almost exactly my memory.. i was literally having a religious experience as I read it

The story of Sigrid and Greta is so dear to me i love how they were both explored. Sigrid struggles with living somewhere where she doesn’t fit in, in all aspects. Greta has taught her more about politics of their town, she’s gay, she stands against her family for their views on race, sex, orientation, etc. I love them and I’m so sad there wasn’t a happy ending for Greta but it’s very realistic.

Margit, if nobody else understands you, i understand you. I absolutely hate confrontation and it’s realistic to read about their dad being aggressive so obviously Margit wouldn’t want her little sister to be a target. I’m glad she started to see she doesn’t have to control everything and that she could let other people support her, as well as allow herself to speak up and help others too. I’m so glad she had a good support system around her to talk about her struggles and get accommodations for her work.

The reasons I didn’t rate this give stars can be summed up pretty quick I think. Mainly, I kinda got tired reading through the 21 attempt letters before the plot progressed. Once I was finished with those, I sped through this book so easy, but that first half kinda put a lasting impression on me. Also I get the politics in the end are realistic and I don’t have an issue with that but I think Sigrid debating if she has a right to hate Kevin for one thing because it would be like hating her for being gay was just.. weird? I think she very obviously understood he raped the only person she ever connected with and hated him for it as well as his other political views, whereas I didn’t read much self hatred from her about her being gay? She spoke about not fitting in and only Greta connecting with her so just comparing that to a rapist felt off to me even if it was a small section.

“Even if I stop believing in God, every single night I’m going to say, ‘I pray for my sister.’ Those are going to be my dying words.”

“I wondered, if I were a Barbie, would I pick myself up?”

Content Warnings