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A review by jennyfern
The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis
5.0
The Hounding is described as The Crucible meets The Vrigin Suicides in the book description and I think that is a really apt way to put it. There is also some reminisce to The VVitch and Perfume, in my mind. This is a story set in 18th century England where five sisters in the care of their blind grandfather are accused of turning into dogs.
The story is told by following several characters who are around the town and near to the sisters but not by following the sisters themselves. In this way it is quite similar to The Virgin Suicides. I truly enjoyed being in these various people's perspectives, and their dreads and innermost fears felt quite palpable to me. I especially enjoyed the grandfather's point of view because of his unique experience of the world having very limited sight.
The language felt simple to me, but being in a historical setting, it was almost a comfort to not have to concentrate on the prose too much.
I enjoyed being in this dread-filled world where being "odd" could be a life or death choice; it's a world that will be sticking in my mind for a while.
This book was read through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for early access to review this work.
The story is told by following several characters who are around the town and near to the sisters but not by following the sisters themselves. In this way it is quite similar to The Virgin Suicides. I truly enjoyed being in these various people's perspectives, and their dreads and innermost fears felt quite palpable to me. I especially enjoyed the grandfather's point of view because of his unique experience of the world having very limited sight.
The language felt simple to me, but being in a historical setting, it was almost a comfort to not have to concentrate on the prose too much.
I enjoyed being in this dread-filled world where being "odd" could be a life or death choice; it's a world that will be sticking in my mind for a while.
This book was read through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for early access to review this work.