Rat Daniels (Alex Sawyer, Hachette)

Rat Daniels, the debut novel by Alex Sawyer and winner of the 2023 Richell Prize, is a coming-of-age story of loyalty and friendship.

Jimmy never quite belonged until he moved to Edens Ridge, where he immediately became friends with the headstrong and rebellious Rat, his complete opposite. As they move through adolescence, the two begin to drift to opposite sides of the Ridge – Rat plunging stubbornly into the local drug war, while Jimmy skirts its edges with a lingering childhood naivety. Jimmy’s loyalty is tested when a devastating fire on the Callaghan farm leaves people dead, and Rat is central to the allegations. Questioning his memories – and how well he truly knows his friend – Jimmy must confront his past and reconsider what he believes to be the truth.

The novel unfolds through a nonlinear structure, shifting between present-day events and Jimmy’s memories. At times, this fragmented timeline can feel disorienting, with chapter headings offering few temporal cues; however, narrative momentum and intrigue carry the story forward.

Sawyer has created a layered novel that captures both the recklessness of adolescence and the inner turmoil of searching for connection. Powerfully atmospheric and thematically heavy, Rat Daniels explores complex family dynamics, friendships and drug culture with an authenticity that brings its social dynamics vividly to life. For readers of Mark Brandi and Tim Winton.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Sophie Helfgott is a teacher librarian and a judge for the 2025 and 2026 CBCA Book of the Year awards in the younger readers category. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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