
A vivid, first‑person chronicle unfolds from the perspective of a city rat who grew up in a bustling warehouse beside the Thames. He and his seven brothers claim a proud, almost aristocratic lineage, sharing the cramped, treasure‑filled shed that serves as their palace of rubbish. Their nightly feasts and mischievous games paint a lively portrait of a world most people never see, while the narrator’s keen observations turn the mundane into wonder.
Among the family is Oddity, a clumsy, piebald sibling who becomes the object of teasing yet endures it with good humour. His gentle resilience and the brothers’ banter reveal a surprisingly complex social life, hinting at themes of acceptance, identity, and the quiet dignity of creatures often dismissed as pests. The tale blends humor with natural‑history insight, inviting listeners to explore the hidden society thriving beneath human feet.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (167K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2009-08-30
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1821–1893
Best known by the pen name A.L.O.E., this prolific Victorian writer filled her stories with adventure, moral courage, and a warm concern for young readers. Later in life, she took her faith into action by serving in India, where her final years unfolded far from England.
View all books