The Hounded

by Simon Butters

[Kelly]

★★★☆
An honest and confronting look at mental illness through the narrative of a fifteen year old boy.

Fifteen year old Montgomery Ferguson is inconspicuous, isolated and estranged from his peers. His father is a quiet, pragmatic man, his mother is preoccupied with a theoretical intruder, unresponsive and negligent. Monty is malnourished, his emancipated, skeletal body disciplined to survive without nutrients, his dishevelled appearance obscuring basic hygiene. His only friend an online German young man using a translator to communicate and a black canine apparition.

The Black Dog is a solemn metaphor representing mental health, depression and suicide. Throughout the narration, the Black Dog manifests as a presence only apparent to Monty, communicating with one another as the Black Dog attempts to manipulate his fragility. Eliza is a callous young woman and although revered by her peers, is isolated through the weight of expectation. Although characters of contrast, Eliza and Monty begin to seek comfort in one another, an understanding and fictitious companionship. Monty is enchanted by Eliza and it soon becomes apparent that he is dependant on the cruel and indifferent young woman as the Black Dog encourages Monty to pursue her.

Monty is an intelligent and fascinating character, although quite unlikable. The relationship with his parents is constrained and the Black Dog metaphor excuses his cruel behaviour towards his mother who is mentally unwell. Monty is malnourished with an undiagnosed eating disorder, restricting his intake as a mechanism of control. Experiencing a dissociative disorder, Monty often disconnects with his environment, unable to communicate while his body continues to moves unconsciously. Environmental, psychological, and hereditary influences seemingly have contributed to his mental health and I was disappointed that parents and the teaching facility were unable to recognise that Monty was in distress.

The Hounded is a captivating and courageous understanding of mental illness, the narrative confrontational as fifteen year old Montgomery, limited by opportunity, is a consequence of his environment.