Reviews for Rat Bohemia

The average rating for Rat Bohemia based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2019-02-14 00:00:00 Darren Null A story revolving around three queer characters and their community. Rita is a rat exterminator working for the city of New York, Killer is her unemployed friend, as well as David, their friend who is a writer. This book is split in parts where these friends' stories are each explored, meshing and splitting to merge again in a wonderful tale. Schulman writes of relationships queer people have with their families. The disappointment and betrayal one feels when cast out by their loved ones because of their sexual orientation and the yearning for a love and understanding that is deserved but withheld and the inner conflict caused by this. The characters are hard to like, they do come across as annoying and their sarcasm is quite clearly their way to cope but Schulman has created such solid characters with weaknesses, desires, dreams and friendships. I also enjoyed the question relationships in this book. The friendships and companionship. A kinship fostered by mutual acceptance, support and love. This story is very much told during the AIDS crisis and thus is incredibly sad as should be expected. The activism and community development touched upon was inspiring. A wonderful wonderful read and a fantastic introduction to a great writer.

Review # 2 was written on 2011-01-18 00:00:00 Marcelo Fernandez Every time I read a schulman book I swear never again. I always spend the first 2/3rds being astounded by the exquisiteness of the writing, the intelligence of how she puts words together, leaves moments hanging in micro chapters that invite reflection as you jump into the next one.Then, somewhere near the end, I realize the book stands as an encyclopedia of everything that is heartbreaking about being queer and then become very depressed. But of course it's good to have these things illuminated - how AIDS, familial homophobia, gentrification and internalized homophobia paralyzes us. Just hard. But read this book