The Familiar

H.J. Courtright
Literary Art Publishers (2006)
ISBN 0974486620
Reviewed by Sondra Fowler for Reader Views (12/06)

“The Familiar” tells the story of one man’s brush with reincarnation and myth. Frederick retreats to the quiet mountain town of Halo and sets up an artist studio to escape from the tragedy of his wife’s death. He comes face to face with the beast that haunts his new mural and instead of acknowledging this meeting to the local huntsman he keeps it secret and is not sure why. Part human, part lioness the creature hunts local creatures ripping out their throats and causing the hunter, Rankin, to become obsessed with killing her. The lioness takes refuge in Frederick’s studio and the two become friendly and Frederick is certain that she is the reincarnation of his dead wife.

The idea of this story is intriguing but the text was not nearly long enough to pay it proper respect. We touch on things but never really understand. The writing, while poetic in spots, is almost daunting to the average reader. The details and descriptive words are too dense and sometimes detract from the plot. Mr. Courtright does have a way with words but the phrase “less is more” definitely comes into play here. I would love to see this plot fully realized… more a novel less than a short story. I want to grow to know Frederick, Rankin, and the lioness. But it all moves at a pace that does not allow that kind of depth. I was somewhat mislead by the title expecting it to be a more traditional Wiccan tale. I would like to know how creature became this hybrid. I would like to know more of the lore, if there is any, behind the evolution of woman to beast. Was the wife involved in an alternative religion herself, did she play a part in this incarnation? I just want to know more.

In a sentence…”The Familiar” is a good start to tale yet unfinished.

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