Emily R. Austin, known for her ability to navigate complex emotional landscapes in Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead and Interesting Facts About Space, returns with a raw and intimate narrative that delves deep into the space between childhood imagination and adult reality. We Could Be Rats presents the story of two sisters—Sigrid and Margit—whose divergent paths in life illuminate the challenges of growing up while trying to maintain one’s authentic self.
Plot and Narrative Structure: A Tale of Two Perspectives
The novel unfolds through multiple attempts at writing a suicide note, creating a unique narrative structure that reflects the fragmentary nature of memory and trauma. Through these attempts, we learn about Sigrid’s life working at the Dollar Pal, her profound connection with her friend Greta, and her struggles with family dynamics and small-town politics.
The story’s strength lies in its ability to weave between past and present, creating a tapestry of experiences that shapes our understanding of both sisters. However, this non-linear approach occasionally makes it challenging to follow the narrative thread, particularly in the middle sections where multiple timelines intersect.
Character Development: Sisters in Different Orbits
Sigrid
Austin crafts Sigrid with remarkable depth, presenting a character who refuses to conform to societal expectations while harboring a deep sensitivity to the world around her. Her resistance to growing up isn’t mere rebellion but a philosophical stance against the harshness she observes in adult life. However, some readers might find her persistent childhood nostalgia frustrating, as it sometimes prevents her character from showing growth.
Margit
The elder sister’s perspective provides a necessary counterbalance, though her chapters sometimes feel overly focused on control and correction rather than understanding. Her evolution throughout the novel is subtle but meaningful, particularly as she grapples with her role in Sigrid’s life.
Themes and Symbolism: Depth Beneath the Surface
The Basement as Metaphor
The basement where Sigrid played as a child serves as a powerful symbol for the sanctuary of imagination, though this metaphor occasionally feels heavy-handed, particularly in later chapters.
Small Town Politics
Austin’s portrayal of small-town dynamics is particularly strong, especially in her examination of how personal and political often intersect in devastating ways. The mayoral campaign subplot adds depth to the narrative, though it sometimes threatens to overshadow the central sister relationship.
Writing Style and Technique: Strengths and Weaknesses
Austin’s prose shines brightest in moments of quiet observation, particularly when describing childhood memories or sibling interactions. Her ability to capture the essence of sisterly bonds feels authentic and lived-in.
However, the multiple-attempt structure of the suicide note, while innovative, sometimes feels repetitive. Some readers might find themselves wishing for more forward momentum in certain sections.
Social Commentary and Contemporary Relevance
The novel tackles several pressing issues:
- Mental health stigma in small communities
- LGBTQ+ experiences in conservative environments
- The opioid crisis and its impact on friendships
- Political polarization at the local level
While these themes are handled with sensitivity, occasionally they compete for attention, making some plot threads feel underdeveloped.
Impact and Emotional Resonance
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its emotional authenticity. Austin captures the pain of growing up and the desire to preserve childhood innocence with remarkable precision. However, the heavy themes and sometimes circular narrative structure might make this a challenging read for some audiences.
Critical Assessment
Strengths:
- Profound exploration of sisterly relationships
- Rich, vivid childhood memories
- Authentic portrayal of small-town life
- Strong character voice and interior monologue
Areas for Improvement:
- Pacing issues in the middle section
- Some underdeveloped subplots
- Occasional heavy-handedness with metaphors
- Resolution feels slightly rushed
Comparison with Contemporary Works
The novel shares thematic elements with works like My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh and All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews, though Austin’s approach feels fresher in its incorporation of childhood imagination as a coping mechanism.
Conclusion: Final Thoughts
We Could Be Rats is a brave and often beautiful exploration of sisterhood, mental health, and the challenge of maintaining one’s true self in an increasingly complex world. While not without its flaws, the novel succeeds in creating a meaningful dialogue about family, identity, and the power of imagination to heal.
Austin has delivered a work that, despite occasional structural issues, resonates with emotional truth and contemporary relevance. We Could Be Rats by Emily R. Austin will particularly appeal to readers interested in family dynamics, mental health narratives, and stories about finding one’s place in a world that often feels too harsh for sensitive souls.
Audience Recommendation
This book is best suited for readers who:
- Appreciate character-driven literary fiction
- Are interested in mental health narratives
- Enjoy complex family dynamics
- Can handle heavy themes with moments of hope
We Could Be Rats confirms Austin’s place as a significant voice in contemporary literary fiction, even as it reveals areas where her craft continues to develop.
