In Another Universe, ‘We Could Be Rats’

Content Warning: Addiction, overdose, abuse, self-harm, suicide

This review contains spoilers for the book “We Could Be Rats.” 

Infinite universes. Infinite humans. Infinite choices. 

At least, that’s what the many-worlds theory seems to suggest, according to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. If there is another universe, what form would humans take and how would they live?

In her new novel, “We Could Be Rats,” Emily Austin invites readers into a parallel universe which houses the imaginary small town of Drysdale. Released Jan. 28, the novel reexamines the meaning of choices and relationships through the lens of an alternate existence. 

With its simple absurdity, “We Could Be Rats” suggests humans are infinitesimal beings living under a never-ending, pink sky of infinite possibilities. 

Reality ceases to exist in the 239-page, character-driven book. On the surface, “We Could Be Rats” follows a stereotypical small-town narrative — two sisters, Sigrid and Margit, navigate the complex terrain of sibling relationships and adulthood burdens, having grown up in a constrained Catholic household ruled by destructive parents. 

Sigrid is one of the few lesbians in town, a high school dropout who has shunned traditional markers of adulthood. In her late 20s, Sigrid acts like a 13-year-old — wrapped up in the fantasy of make-believe stories. Unlike Sigrid, Margit works diligently to please her parents and fit within their narrow worldview. 

The novel begins with Sigrid’s suicide attempt — one of multiple, as Austin later reveals. Instead of being split into chapters, the book is formatted by Sigrid’s suicide note drafts. 

Within her notes, Sigrid alternates between positive and negative outlooks on life. She consistently faults her parents, the town’s conservative ideologies and meaningless social norms for her and Margit’s demise. 

“We were living in that house like frightened rabbits, twitching our ears to the sounds around us like prey in constant danger,” Sigrid writes. 

Austin’s narrative is driven by character development rather than dialogue. Following each suicide attempt, Sigrid reveals parts of herself and her family’s secrets. Sigrid also frequently mentions her best friend Greta — her only source of hope in high school. 

“There was something special about finding someone during a time when I felt like I was losing everyone,” Sigrid writes.

Amid a sea of pain, Greta remained a hope for Sigrid’s lighthouse. Greta served more as a sister than Margit did, providing Sigrid with safety and love. 

Margit serves as a silent witness to Sigrid’s strife. As Sigrid struggles to rewrite her narrative, Margit is depicted as the sister who internalized their parents’ chaos. In Sigrid’s entries, readers get a glimpse of Margit’s efforts to protect her — until the lines blur, and the sisters seem to become one.

The sisters’  juxtaposed coping mechanisms propel the book forward as Sigrid’s notes emotionally intensify and closer to her suicide attempt. 

“I think one of the benefits of growing up with a sibling is having a witness. It’s nice to have someone to cross reference your childhood with,” Sigrid writes

Throughout the story, the final destinies of both characters remain uncertain, but one thing is for sure — there’s always a choice to do better in another life, as another entity. 

Austin masterfully conveys this message through Sigrid’s voice. Sigrid utilizes her powerful imagination to escape everyday life. In her make-believe world, she and Margit are rats — two big rats living for two beautiful years under a pink sky. 

“If I could choose how the world worked, we would all be rats at a fair. We would all live well, sampling every possible ounce of happiness,” Sigrid writes. 

Within Drysdale’s parallel universe, Austin offers a world where the boundaries of choice and consequence are as fluid as the lives humans lead — and the lives imagined.  

“We Could Be Rats” is available to purchase in all major bookstores on Jan. 28.