Re-reading James Herbert #1 - The Rats (1974)

As a fan of horror literature, I recently decided to re-read the books of famous British horror writer James Herbert. I will endeavour to read them all in the order they were written so, I'll start at the beginning with his 1974 debut novel, The Rats.

The Rats is a gripping horror novel that tells the story of a London overrun by giant, mutated rats. Written by James Herbert, the book follows the experiences of several characters as they struggle to survive in a city where the rats have become the dominant species.

One of the things that makes The Rats so effective as a horror novel is Herbert's ability to create a sense of creeping, pervasive dread. The rats are always present in the background, lurking in the shadows and waiting for their chance to attack. The characters are constantly on edge, never knowing when the next attack will come or where the rats will strike next. This sense of uncertainty and danger is heightened by the fact that the rats are intelligent and highly organised, making them a formidable enemy for the human characters.

In addition to being a horror novel, The Rats is also a story about survival and the lengths that people will go to in order to stay alive. The characters are forced to make tough decisions and sacrifices in order to stay alive, and their relationships with one another are tested to the limit as they struggle to survive in a world that has become hostile and dangerous.

One of the things that sets The Rats apart from other horror novels is Herbert's attention to detail. He does a great job of depicting the grim, decaying state of London as it is overrun by the rats, and the descriptions of the rats themselves are both terrifying and grotesque. The action scenes are also well written, with Herbert using a tense, fast-paced style that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

Overall, The Rats is a must-read for anyone looking for a spine-tingling tale of survival in a world overrun by monstrous creatures. It's a gripping, disturbing novel that will appeal to fans of horror and science fiction.