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Sydney, 1900, and Patrick O'Reilly's days at the docks were over so when the priest suggested he line up the following morning for a job as rat catcher - the plague had just arrived on Sydney's shores - Patrick wasn't sure. He didn't want to kill anything, even a rat. But he got the job, and as the plague worsened, his number count of caught rats multiplied.
Rosie Hughes was caring for her injured father, along with her three year old nephew when she met Patrick. His immediate affection for this ...more
Rosie Hughes was caring for her injured father, along with her three year old nephew when she met Patrick. His immediate affection for this ...more
A delightful TALL tale set in Sydney in 1900. The historical detail is brilliant, Sydney & inner suburbs, swimming at Little Coogee (Clovelly) beach, the ferry out to Parramatta Park, the slums - I didn't know Wentworth Park's history - the library at Queen Victoria Markets, the bubonic plague.
Patrick O'Reilly is a poor immigrant from Tralee, sending his wages home to his mother. He is beautifully written: intelligent, well-educated by the brutal Brothers in Ireland, kind & compassionate to all ...more
Patrick O'Reilly is a poor immigrant from Tralee, sending his wages home to his mother. He is beautifully written: intelligent, well-educated by the brutal Brothers in Ireland, kind & compassionate to all ...more
Key notes were hit here, for me, by Kim Kelly in this delightful tale of an Irish Rat Catcher during the 1900 bubonic plague outbreak in Sydney. The main character's self effacing humorous narration (by Irish actor Alan Devally) is spot on. I even developed a soft spot for Ol' Scratch the cheeky rat.
An entertaining way to learn about a few of the foibles of the past which seem to be repeated often enough in the present day and probably the future.
It's my first of Kim Kelly's work that I've had ...more
An entertaining way to learn about a few of the foibles of the past which seem to be repeated often enough in the present day and probably the future.
It's my first of Kim Kelly's work that I've had ...more
Jan 25, 2023
Jen
marked it as to-read
Jan 25, 2023
Lucinda
marked it as to-read
