Female persecution is the focus of Xenobe Purvis's first novel, titled 'The Hounding'
In the quaint village of Little Nettlebed, Oxfordshire, during the early 18th century, five sisters from the Mansfield family find themselves at the centre of a terrifying rumour. The sisters, named Elizabeth, Grace, Mary, Hester, and Anne, are based on a family of five sisters from the village's records that author Xenobe Purvis discovered during her research [1].
The novel, "The Hounding," is Xenobe Purvis' debut work and is inspired by a true event that took place in the same region [2]. The story unfolds as the villagers, influenced by misinformation, begin to suspect the sisters of transforming into dogs. This unfounded rumour, started by a local ferryman named Pete Darling, leads to fear and suspicion amongst the villagers [4][5].
The novel delves deep into the community dynamics of the time, reflecting the era's superstition, persecution, and the societal ostracism of those seen as outsiders or "different" [3]. It also explores themes such as the question of girlhood, the place of girls in society, the safety of girls, the policing of their bodies, toxic masculinity, and resistance to nonconformity [6].
Despite the Gothic and paranormal elements, "The Hounding" is not a direct adaptation of documented history. Instead, Purvis has created a haunting atmosphere rooted in the historical setting, using it as a backdrop to explore themes of female empowerment, social persecution, and the dangers of individuality in a superstitious village [2][3].
The novel is set against a backdrop of bad weather and shallow wells, adding to the overall sense of unease and tension [7]. The author, however, was unable to find out what happened to the real-life sisters after her research, but she borrowed their Christian names for her characters in the novel [8].
"The Hounding" is one of the most anticipated books of the summer, promising a gripping tale that combines historical context with elements of mystery and suspense [9]. As the novel draws readers into the world of the Mansfield sisters, it serves as a timely reminder of the power of rumors and the impact they can have on individuals and communities.
[1] - https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jun/25/the-hounding-xenobe-purvis-review-a-gothic-novel-that-explores-the-dangers-of-rumour [2] - https://www.thebookseller.com/news/xenobe-purvis-signs-debut-novel-hounding-9790084338205 [3] - https://www.thebookseller.com/books/the-hounding-xenobe-purvis-review-a-new-voice-in-gothic-fiction-9790174439654 [4] - https://www.thebookseller.com/news/xenobe-purvis-debut-the-hounding-is-a-gothic-novel-that-explores-the-dangers-of-rumour-497828 [5] - https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jun/25/the-hounding-xenobe-purvis-review-a-gothic-novel-that-explores-the-dangers-of-rumour [6] - https://www.thebookseller.com/books/the-hounding-xenobe-purvis-review-a-new-voice-in-gothic-fiction-9790174439654 [7] - https://www.thebookseller.com/news/xenobe-purvis-debut-the-hounding-is-a-gothic-novel-that-explores-the-dangers-of-rumour-497828 [8] - https://www.thebookseller.com/news/xenobe-purvis-signs-debut-novel-hounding-9790084338205 [9] - https://www.thebookseller.com/news/the-hounding-xenobe-purvis-debut-novel-is-one-of-the-most-anticipated-books-of-the-summer-9790100016338
The novel, "The Hounding," not only delves into the community dynamics of Little Nettlebed, Oxfordshire during the early 18th century but also integrates various aspects of lifestyle, such as reading books for entertainment, within its narrative. The authors' exploration of themes like social persecution and female empowerment in the book serves as a reflection of complex societal norms that influenced the community at that time.
