What can I say about THE RATS? Well, the first thing that comes to mind is that - without doubt - this 1974 masterpiece by James Herbert is my all time favourite horror novel. Period.

Up until I first read THE RATS, which was way back in September 1975, when I was 14, I had never really read a book like it. By that, I mean I had never really read a book which - by virtue of its sheer, breathtaking, unbridled horror and terror - had made such an impact on me. Before THE RATS, I had read mainly books like The Pan Book of Horror Stories or similar short story anthologies. And in regard to horror novels - well, again, I hadn't really read any which I could really say chilled me to the bone and made my flesh creep as much as THE RATS did.

I first came across a rather well-read paperback of THE RATS when browsing through my local library. The cover depicting the huge snarling face of a rather ferocious-looking rat instantly leapt out at me and captured my attention. The big, bold red lettering above this rodent monster enhanced the book's cover magnificently. In fact, I would even go as far as to say that it was the best horror paperback cover that I have ever seen. Coming out of the library with THE RATS paperback in my hand, I bumped into a school chum who immediately noticed the book and remarked, "You should enjoy that book. I must warn you, though: It is very horrific and gory and sickly." Boy was he right!

Once I started reading this horror tour-de-force, I just could not put it down. I was completely absorbed into the story right from the very first page, and with each new chapter, my sheer awe and admiration for this exciting new author, and his vivid descriptions of the rat attacks set against a backdrop of suburban London, just grew and grew. In fact, I was gripped by the book so much that I finished it within a day, something which I really do with any novel unless it's a real good one (which THE RATS certainly was!).

I especially loved the way that Herbert created these little character vignettes (e.g. the alcoholics in the cemetery, the courting couple in the cinema etc.), and then unleashed the horror of the mass rat attacks upon the people in each scenario. In fact, these character set pieces have become something of a trademark with Herbert over the years, and boy does he do them brilliantly! You can clearly imagine the people in each little story, so skillfully does Herbert present them, and you can really feel their pain when the horror suddenly hits them. As far as I'm concerned, Herbert has never been bettered in this tight writing style which develops into a growing sense of dread, as the threat posed by the rats increases with each subsequant attack.

The main charactor, Harris - or the hero, if you like - is a schoolteacher who is trying to uncover the mystery of the recent gruesome rat attacks on the people of London. But will he manage to destroy the rats and save the day? Or will he himself fall victim to the monstrous rodents as swarms of them attack at the school where he works, trapping him inside along with the other students and members of staff?

No punches are pulled here as the rats appear to grow from strength to strength, their hordes seeming to be just so omnipotent and unstoppable as they viciously attack everything and everybody. They even attack animals as well as humans, rampaging through not only a zoo, but also making a meal of some poor, defenceless puppies which have been presented to them as bait by the regretful but nonetheless duty-bound rat catchers (this is one of the most gut-wrenching, upsetting scenes in the whole book, alongside the part where they feast on the baby).

When I finally reached the climax of the book - and, wow, what a climax it was too! - I was utterly enthralled on the edge of my seat by the horrifying confrontation that took place between Harris and . . . well, in case you haven't read the book, I won't tell you. Suffice to say that the ending was one of the most gruesome, most stunning endings I have ever read in a horror novel.

There are so many superlatives I could utter about THE RATS. It really is the ULTIMATE horror novel. Since its publication, there have been many other animals-on-the-rampage novels that have jumped on the bandwagon. However, for me, not one of them has completely captured the sheer unbridled terror and horror that THE RATS had in such bucketloads. Small wonder that Herbert went on to become the UK's top horror writer, in view of the stunning debut he made here with this iconic horror masterpiece.

You can buy THE RATS, along with its equally enjoyable sequels, by clicking on the book links below.

James Herbert Biographies (For BY HORROR HAUNTED, please click on the text link below the book cover).

By Horror Haunted