The Ratcatcher

by Roald Dahl

The Ratcatcher is a short, sharp, distrubing story from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale.

In The Ratcatcher, Roald Dahl, one of the world's favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a ratcatcher has a most unusual way of dealing with these pests . . .

The Ratcatcher is taken from the short story collection Someone Like You, which includes seventeen other devious and shocking stories, featuring the wife who serves a dish that baffles the police; a curious machine that reveals the horrifying truth about plants; the man waiting to be bitten by the venomous snake asleep on his stomach; and others.

'The absolute master of the twist in the tale.' (Observer )

This story is also available as a Penguin digital audio download read by Jessica Hynes.

Roald Dahl, the brilliant and worldwide acclaimed author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and many more classics for children, also wrote scores of short stories for adults. These delightfully disturbing tales have often been filmed and were most recently the inspiration for the West End play, Roald Dahl's Twisted Tales by Jeremy Dyson. Roald Dahl's stories continue to make readers shiver today.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Classics

20 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2012

About the author

Roald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.

Reviews

[nmv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, what the fuck is wrong with him I love him.*

*Both Roald Dahl and the ratman.

Roald Dahl needed professional help but boy am I glad he never got it. That’s one sick individual right there. Sick and twisted and insane little weird guy bless him.

What can I say other than classic Roald.

Excellent dramatic tension. Gorgeous build up. Absolutely sickening climax. The most casual of endings trying to gaslight you into believing you didn’t just read the most insane thing a human mind is capable of conjuring up.

I want to explore the inner workings of Roald Dahl’s mind but also I absolutely do not.

[Squolle]

Man denkt er fängt ne Ratte, macht er aber garnicht. Super Cliffhanger!

[Eugenio · Rating 4 out of 5]

You are absolutely disgusting...

[Lannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bro was the real rat all along.

[Josh Ashing · Rating 3 out of 5]

A grotesque mix between Peter Pettigrew & a murine Willy Wonka.
I had an anxious knot in my stomach throughout this horror short.
Do not underestimate Dahl's adult fiction.
"The sick gastric sensation in my stomach was increasing, but there was an awful magnetism about this business & I found myself quite unable to walk away or even move."

lickerish.
The unpleasant nod to Charlie & The Chocolate Factory is jarring.
Dahl wrote "Ratcatcher" first in 1953 as a part of "Someone Like You".
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory didn't appear for a few more years until early 1964.

"That's one of the big secrets of the chocolate-makin factories, and no one knows about it...
No one, except the ratters supplyin' the stuff."

Even the last sentence is beyond ominous & spooky. Heebie-Jeebies!!!
https://www.slaphappylarry.com/the-ra...

[kutingtin · Rating 5 out of 5]

nothing like Roald Dhal! love his words, love his story telling! 🥰❣️👏🏻 no one would probably make the small things as rats 🐀🩶 quite as interesting as he. Disgustingly delightful! Spotlight on the Rat Catcher on this one. 🧟‍♂️

[Mayumi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esse conto tem os mesmos personagens Claude e "narrador" (acho) do que eu li imediatamente antes desse, Rummins. Acho que o objetivo era ser perturbador mas impossível de não olhar, sabe, como um acidente. Mas esse conto só foi definitivamente um dos contos já escritos.

[Noel Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy story about a creepy guy.

[itchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

10October2022

Read as part of the collection Someone Like You.

[Forked Radish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be sure to grab some lickerish to nibble on while you read this.

[Polly Batchelor · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Penny sticks and licorish bootlaces is all made from rat's blood,”

[Anneliese Peerbolte · Rating 4 out of 5]

to be honest creepy as fuck, and I kind of love it (watched Wes Anderson film adaptation. TBH does this count as a book I've read? I don't know)

[nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this may be my favourite short story. it’s so beautifully crafted and so chilling

[Esha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read in 2023 as part of Someone Like You, The Best of Roald Dahl, and Twenty Nine Kisses From Roald Dahl.

[Indi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was kind of confused when I read this. But it was fun to read

[h i n d · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rate this 2, respectfully, Roald Dahl was my first favourite author

[Anirudh Mannattil · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting deviation of interpreting lust, from the commonplace romantic view to a power-driven view. The narrative itself doesn't compel though.

[August]

❤️
A Video-Book directed by Wes Anderson #2
"you are absolutely disgusting"

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

eeew

[Ev · Rating 1 out of 5]

the poor rats😭 they deserved so much better

[Aizat Affendi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Equally explicit as Poison, is Dahl's The Ratcatcher. The story follows a skilled exterminator as he tried, but ultimately failed, to rid a town of a rodent infestation. Not too make himself look like a fool, he tries his best to impress others through a display of disconcerting acts to show that he is indeed skillful in his work. Needless to say, I will avoid eating liquorice from now on. 😂

[Courtney Schafer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blech rat blood.