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The Hounded
On his fifteenth birthday, Monty is at rock bottom. Ignored by his parents, bullied at school, and with a brain that’s prone to going walkabout, he’s all by himself.
Until he meets the black dog for the first time.
It’s just like any other dog, except that only Monty can see it. And it talks. And Monty’s not sure whether it’s a friend – or a foe.
The black dog gets him talking to pretty, popular Eliza Robertson for the first time. It takes him to places he’s never been.
Eventually it will take Monty, and the people around him, to the very edge.
Until he meets the black dog for the first time.
It’s just like any other dog, except that only Monty can see it. And it talks. And Monty’s not sure whether it’s a friend – or a foe.
The black dog gets him talking to pretty, popular Eliza Robertson for the first time. It takes him to places he’s never been.
Eventually it will take Monty, and the people around him, to the very edge.
288 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2016
About the author
Simon Butters
6 books5 followersSimon Butters is a screenwriter for film and television. His credits include: 'Wicked Science', 'H20 Just Add Water' and 'Mako: Island of Secrets' among others. He lives in the Adelaide Hills with his two hilarious kids, a very busy wife, and a scruffy little dog that definitely doesn’t talk but does do a weird grunt when you pat her behind the ear.
'The Hounded' is Simon’s first novel. It was shortlisted for the 2014 Adelaide Festival Unpublished Manuscript Award
'The Hounded' is Simon’s first novel. It was shortlisted for the 2014 Adelaide Festival Unpublished Manuscript Award
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 22, 2017
★★★☆
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.
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.
October 18, 2016
‘I was freaking out. I don’t know how long it had been there but when I opened my eyes it was staring right at me. It was silent as night, the back dog.’
The Hounded is a novel written by Australian screenwriter Simon Butters and is his debut novel and boy is it a deep, somewhat depressive and serious one. The novel centres around 15 year old Montgomery ‘Monty’ who on his birthday, which none of his parents remembers or celebrates is surprised to find a black dog waiting for him in his bedroom, what’s worse is the dog isn’t leaving not matter what he says to it – it follows him around and whilst eating breakfast he decides to ask it a question only to have the dog respond. A talking dog!?! And if that wasn’t bad enough, no one else seems to be able to hear or even see the dog. Making you wonder what the dog could possibly represent or symbolise.
Now this book is definitely not for the faint hearted, it focuses on issues of mental and physical health such as depression, anorexia, self-half, bulling and self-esteem. Monty is an interesting character, he has frequent ‘off with the fairies’ moments where his mind will go off somewhere and sometimes his gone for ages and his body will try to compensate and continue on without him. Monty’s life, well in the beginning is not a pleasant one, he has little control over the unfortunate and sad situations he faces at home and as a way to feel in control starves himself and enjoys the feeling it brings. Because then he actually gets to feel something. You can’t help but feel sorry for him and really hope something in his life improves and that’s where Eliza Robertson comes in.
There’s only one big thing I didn’t like about this novel and that was the writing style. It is very cleverly written. Too cleverly. I mean this novel is mostly Monty’s inner monologues and we are supposed to believe he is 15 years old kid. Except for when reading the blurb and it being written there, I couldn’t determine his age based off the way he speaks and acts, he thinks very intellectually using words such as perpetually, sullen, impassive stare and ascendancy into adulthood, and yet no indication is given for where this comes from and nor does this continue to when he converses with people. It just bugged me throughout. So younger readers might struggle with the vocab.
Through this introduction of the black dog, you will question whether the dog is there to help support Monty or is there to do him harm.. and will want to find out what Monty means when he says to the mysterious black dog ‘not today.’
The Hounded is a novel written by Australian screenwriter Simon Butters and is his debut novel and boy is it a deep, somewhat depressive and serious one. The novel centres around 15 year old Montgomery ‘Monty’ who on his birthday, which none of his parents remembers or celebrates is surprised to find a black dog waiting for him in his bedroom, what’s worse is the dog isn’t leaving not matter what he says to it – it follows him around and whilst eating breakfast he decides to ask it a question only to have the dog respond. A talking dog!?! And if that wasn’t bad enough, no one else seems to be able to hear or even see the dog. Making you wonder what the dog could possibly represent or symbolise.
Now this book is definitely not for the faint hearted, it focuses on issues of mental and physical health such as depression, anorexia, self-half, bulling and self-esteem. Monty is an interesting character, he has frequent ‘off with the fairies’ moments where his mind will go off somewhere and sometimes his gone for ages and his body will try to compensate and continue on without him. Monty’s life, well in the beginning is not a pleasant one, he has little control over the unfortunate and sad situations he faces at home and as a way to feel in control starves himself and enjoys the feeling it brings. Because then he actually gets to feel something. You can’t help but feel sorry for him and really hope something in his life improves and that’s where Eliza Robertson comes in.
There’s only one big thing I didn’t like about this novel and that was the writing style. It is very cleverly written. Too cleverly. I mean this novel is mostly Monty’s inner monologues and we are supposed to believe he is 15 years old kid. Except for when reading the blurb and it being written there, I couldn’t determine his age based off the way he speaks and acts, he thinks very intellectually using words such as perpetually, sullen, impassive stare and ascendancy into adulthood, and yet no indication is given for where this comes from and nor does this continue to when he converses with people. It just bugged me throughout. So younger readers might struggle with the vocab.
Through this introduction of the black dog, you will question whether the dog is there to help support Monty or is there to do him harm.. and will want to find out what Monty means when he says to the mysterious black dog ‘not today.’
May 25, 2018
such a hard book to read, but an equally important one. highlighting the theme of depression, neglect, and a bizarre friendship-turned-to-relationship, the ending hit me hard and reminded me of something important.
not today, dog.
not today, dog.
April 23, 2020
A look at young contemporary Australia with a haunt of the paranormal and a bang of an ending.
December 16, 2020
not what i expected... unfortunately
July 10, 2016
This review appears on my blog : Infinity Reads
The Hounded is a novel that explicitly tackles contemporary social issues and makes it relevant by narrating these issues from the perspective of an everyday Australian teenager’s perspective.
I was most impressed by the way the novel was written. Being the author’s first published novel I believe Simon did a very solid job of creating an engaging and fluent narrative. Monty, the protagonist, has this unique voice that is consistent throughout the whole novel.
As for the plot I believe it was an interesting story however, at times it felt like the author was trying to pack in too much at once. I mean it’s amazing to write so openly about suicide and mental illness and cyber bullying but it felt like each of these issues was never completely in the spotlight because there was so much other stuff going on as well. There were also a lot of circumstantial events in the novel as in there wasn’t any build up to that event, they just appeared and I don’t know how I feel about that. At the end of the day, it was an honest story, there was no over dramatization or anything.
The Dog was a very interesting metaphor. I’ve rarely come across creative pieces of work where there is such a solid metaphor for mental illness or suicide. The Dog makes you think and I like that. A lot of the things in the novel were left open to interpretation so as not to overload the reader but also so the reader had something to ponder over.
The Hounded is a novel that explicitly tackles contemporary social issues and makes it relevant by narrating these issues from the perspective of an everyday Australian teenager’s perspective.
I was most impressed by the way the novel was written. Being the author’s first published novel I believe Simon did a very solid job of creating an engaging and fluent narrative. Monty, the protagonist, has this unique voice that is consistent throughout the whole novel.
As for the plot I believe it was an interesting story however, at times it felt like the author was trying to pack in too much at once. I mean it’s amazing to write so openly about suicide and mental illness and cyber bullying but it felt like each of these issues was never completely in the spotlight because there was so much other stuff going on as well. There were also a lot of circumstantial events in the novel as in there wasn’t any build up to that event, they just appeared and I don’t know how I feel about that. At the end of the day, it was an honest story, there was no over dramatization or anything.
The Dog was a very interesting metaphor. I’ve rarely come across creative pieces of work where there is such a solid metaphor for mental illness or suicide. The Dog makes you think and I like that. A lot of the things in the novel were left open to interpretation so as not to overload the reader but also so the reader had something to ponder over.
November 18, 2016
I found myself utterly engaged with this Pygmalion style story of transformation and growth in the face of hopelessness and depression. The 'black dog' that hounds Monty dominates his perception of the world and of those around him. As his awareness beyond himself is stretched, he begins to see the suffering of other people, of dysfunctional families other than just his own.
The novel is definitely aimed at upper secondary / young adults, with some confronting content - but this is a novel that seeks hope even when all seems hopeless. While there is grief-a-plenty, we do see how it is possible to live with our own 'black dogs'.
The novel is definitely aimed at upper secondary / young adults, with some confronting content - but this is a novel that seeks hope even when all seems hopeless. While there is grief-a-plenty, we do see how it is possible to live with our own 'black dogs'.
August 19, 2017
[CBCA Notable for older readers 2017]
This book!! I just don't know what to say that won't give too much away but I can say the writing was just superb. It was the kind of writing that just made you want to soak up each thought and there was some very witty and laugh out loud moments too just because of the clever prose. It is steeped in complexity and very real issues that the author chose not to shy away from and I thank him for his insights into this topic (which I haven't revealed but the black dog on the front cover should be enough of a clue....)
This book!! I just don't know what to say that won't give too much away but I can say the writing was just superb. It was the kind of writing that just made you want to soak up each thought and there was some very witty and laugh out loud moments too just because of the clever prose. It is steeped in complexity and very real issues that the author chose not to shy away from and I thank him for his insights into this topic (which I haven't revealed but the black dog on the front cover should be enough of a clue....)
January 8, 2018
I'll give this a big five and say read it if you can. It goes to some really dark places indeed and explores some of your harder topics. Like, there's the good old bullying, there's self harm, depression and other forms of mental illness, and suicide. It doesn't hold back. I could relate to it too despite being much older than the intended audience. Because I've met the black dog too and said 'not today dog, not today.'
Update : I read this again two and a half years later and this still stands. It's better. It's damn near a masterpiece.
Update : I read this again two and a half years later and this still stands. It's better. It's damn near a masterpiece.
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August 17, 2017On his fifteenth birthday, Monty is at rock bottom. Ignored by his parents, bullied at school, and with a brain that's prone to going walkabout, he's all by himself. Until he meets the black dog for the first time.
It's just like any other dog, except that only Monty can see it. And it talks. And Monty's not sure whether it's a friend - or a foe. But the black dog gets him talking to pretty, popular Eliza Robertson for the first time. It takes him to places he's never been. And eventually it will take him, and the people around him, to the very edge.
It's just like any other dog, except that only Monty can see it. And it talks. And Monty's not sure whether it's a friend - or a foe. But the black dog gets him talking to pretty, popular Eliza Robertson for the first time. It takes him to places he's never been. And eventually it will take him, and the people around him, to the very edge.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews