The Unlikely Protagonist: The Rat

Joe Shute’s ‘Stowaway: The Disreputable Exploits of the Rat’ delves deep into the misunderstood existence of rats, a creature long vilified in our culture. Shute begins by comparing rat stories to ghost stories, emphasizing that everyone has an encounter or tale involving these resilient rodents. His own experience involves watching a ratcatcher and trained dogs in action, although the rats ultimately escaped down a sewer, sparing Shute the unsettling sight of a rat versus dog confrontation.

Historical Distrust and Fear

Shute points out that societal obsession with rats stems from a fear of invasion and historical events, like the 14th-century bubonic plague. While modern science suggests that lice and fleas were the real culprits, rats still bear the blame for millions of deaths. This historical backdrop only intensifies our collective distrust and fear of these creatures.

Challenging Perceptions

In an effort to challenge his own biases, Shute adopted two dumbo rats, Molly and Ermintrude. His initial revulsion quickly gave way to fascination as he observed their social habits and responsiveness. Shute even consulted a neuroscientist who studied the effect of tickling on rats, highlighting that touch helps both humans and rats build resistance against stress.

Rats as Unsung Heroes

Shute’s journey also took him to Tanzania, where he learned about APOPO, an organization training rats to detect landmines and tuberculosis. One rat, Magawa, was awarded a Dickin Medal for his exceptional work in Cambodia. The book underscores how rats have been long employed in laboratories studying human diseases due to genetic similarities.

A Transformative Experience

Ultimately, ‘Stowaway’ showcases Shute’s transformation from a man who feared rats to someone who appreciates their empathy, cooperation, mischief, and resilience. His family’s growing colony of rats, which expanded to include Aggy and Reyta, stands as a testament to his newfound respect and understanding.