Feeding The Rat

Al Alvarez's Feeding the Rat chronicles the life and philosophy of Mo Anthoine, a skilled but lesser-known British mountaineer whose abilities matched those of his more famous contemporaries. The book follows Mo's climbing adventures and personal journey through various locations including the Dolomites, Snowdon, and Everest. The narrative moves beyond typical mountaineering accounts by incorporating chapters on home renovation, equipment manufacturing, and the deep friendships that form between climbing partners. Through eleven distinct chapters, the text examines both triumphs and disasters on the mountains, including a significant incident on the Ogre. The book takes its title from the metaphor of "feeding the rat" - the compelling inner drive that pushes climbers to seek increasingly challenging ascents and adventures. This central theme explores the psychological and spiritual dimensions of mountaineering, examining why individuals repeatedly risk their lives in pursuit of seemingly impossible goals.

Readers describe this as an intimate portrait of rock climber Mo Anthoine that goes beyond climbing to explore deeper themes of risk, obsession, and living life fully. Most reviews note the book's philosophical insights about why people pursue dangerous activities. Readers appreciated: - The focus on a lesser-known but influential climber - Clear, concise writing style that appeals to non-climbers - Personal stories that illustrate Anthoine's character - Discussion of motivations behind extreme sports Common criticisms: - Too short at only 103 pages - Limited technical climbing details - Some found the narrative structure meandering Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (156 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (31 ratings) Several reviewers specifically praised Alvarez's ability to capture the climbing culture of 1970s Britain. One reader noted: "It's more about the why than the how of climbing, which makes it relevant even decades later."

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🔸 Mo Anthoine, the book's central figure, ran a successful climbing equipment shop in Wales called "Snowdon Mouldings," which pioneered innovative climbing gear designs in the 1970s. 🔸 Author Al Alvarez was not just a writer but also Poetry Editor for The Observer newspaper from 1956 to 1966, where he championed the works of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes. 🔸 The term "feeding the rat" originated among British climbers to describe the insatiable urge for adventure - similar to an addiction that needs regular "feeding." 🔸 During the period covered in the book, British climbing was undergoing a transformation from a genteel pursuit of the upper classes to a more democratized activity accessible to working-class participants. 🔸 Despite focusing on mountaineering, the book was praised by non-climbing critics for its broader exploration of risk-taking behavior and what motivates humans to pursue dangerous activities.