Homunculus

by Jerry Stubblefield

When a man can't achieve intimacy with someone else, such as a wife, he ends up achieving it with himself, which is no good. Hector Owen is well aware of his problem. He's a washed-up playwright whose imagination and creative impulse nevertheless have failed to wane in spite of his efforts to deny them. With a lackluster career behind him and a failing, sexless marriage in the Appalachian town to which he has retreated, Hec suddenly finds himself in the company of his own creation, a nasty, yet frequently charming homunculus calling himself Robin. And Robin, once freed from his lifetime of confinement within Hec's over-stressed mind/body, has a dangerous agenda that includes sex, love and ridding Hec of his lovely wife. Both literary and science fiction, Homunculus moves the Frankenstein proposition into the realm of psychosis. Is Dr. Frankenstein more culpable for the terrifying actions of his electrically energized monster than Hector Owen is for those of the glib, droll homunculus to whom he's given birth?

Genres: Fiction, Horror

256 pages, Hardcover

First published March 20, 2009

About the author

Jerry Stubblefield (1949 - ) Before turning full-time to writing fiction, Stubblefield was a well-produced playwright in New York City. Stubblefield "draws on his own playwriting experience to deliver crisp dialogue and penetrating character studies” (Carl Hays, Booklist). A bold, relentlessly honest, genuinely funny and often disturbing fiction writer, Stubblefield explores rarely visited emotional and psychological territory, often situated in marriages and other close relationships. His first novel, Homunculus, was critically acclaimed. Booklist: "its portrait of neurotic impulses made flesh is one readers won't soon forget." Electric City: "...excellently paced...brilliantly described...wonderfully subtle...mentally stimulating...a great book…”

Reviews

[Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it interesting that I picked up this book not too long after reading Jung’s work since the plot seems completely based on the dangers of the repression of feelings and the need to come to terms with one’s anima/animus. The book begins strangely, with the protagonist “giving birth” to his homunculus through his navel, and though I have to admit that I found it rather a grotesque beginning, it certainly captures the reader’s attention. The book then begins to develop to a refreshing normality and a more than uncommon honesty on the part of the protagonist, whose is not only aware of his own failings but is not above communicating them without falling into denigrating rant. The book then progresses at an engaging pace while revealing the world in which our protagonist develops without falling into the clichés that can easily derail many books. Unfortunately the book is not without is failings as when the author tries to build a couple of scenes by, in my opinion, overusing dream imagery to the point that they scene to come falls completely flat. However, by far the most interesting aspect of this book is the ending that can leave the reader feeling like the just went through a whirlwind with the sudden need to reread the book. Although I thought there was an important plot hole that can only be filled with some loose reading of the text I did find the book worth the read and would definitely recommend it, though not to anyone too squeamish.

[Jason Arias · Rating 5 out of 5]

A seductive and strange ride that will make you uncomfortable, so just relax, and try not to make it awkward.

[Jan Notzon]

Oh, boy. I know there are readers who like cynical detachment, alienation, sexual and emotional frustration and ennui, and truly bizarre, out of this world occurrences. I have to confess that I am definitely not one of them.

If you happen to be such a reader then you might like this strange story with a protagonist who is at best off-kilter and at worst psychologically deranged.

Have at it.

[Alex Kalinowski · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh story and way too horny for my liking.

[Betsy Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A man gives birth to a little man through his navel. An amazingly sane look at the reasonableness of craziness. Anything more would be a spoiler.