First edition of Rattus Sapiens by Maryia Karneyenka (2025)

First impression 

Small format hardback in as new condition

No markings 

In a limited edition of 400 copies

About

Rattus Sapiens — “the intelligent rat” — is a project by Maryia Karneyenka whose title instantly evokes associations with modern human civilization. It conveys the core idea of the project: beneath us, above us, or even right beside us, there has always existed and evolved a separate sapient civilization, largely unknown and percepted only through the lens of our fears and prejudice.

The book invites us to look deep into the rat’s hole and abandon—at least temporarily—the position of the species that “won” the evolutionary struggle. It contains elements of play, mockumentary, and stories that may not be real but could happen. This effect is reinforced and amplified by the concluding text — an epilogue-reflection from the rats’ perspective questioning whether humanity ever truly existed or if it is just a myth.

In harmony with the visual voice of the project are the texts by Tatsiana Zamirovskaya, a writer with Belarusian roots based in New York, who not only shares a similar personal experience — Tatsiana calls herself an ambassador for rats — but also brings a post-anthropocentric perspective on the nature of interaction between human and animal civilizations.