Rare Breeds (Novella)
Erik McHatton
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Written by Erik Hofstatter 
72 Pages
Published by Dark Silo Press
Hello there Denizens of Dread Central. This is Erik and today I bring to you a review of a highly original novella written by one of horror literature’s newest rising stars, Erik Hofstatter. Mr. Hofstatter has reached into his clearly diseased mind and wrought something completely abhorrent unto the world. It also happens to be clever, cunningly subversive and best of all enthralling. This story kept me engaged and guessing the entire time I spent with it. Something, I assure you, that is not common for me these days in the oftentimes predictable doldrums of contemporary horror media. So join me as we delight in the inhuman depravities ferreted away in the dark by these unfortunately Rare Breeds.
Settling into my reading spot with Rare Breeds I must admit to feeling rather high on my horse in regards to my expectations. Having gone through the various blurbs and reviews I saw many comments promising that this story would “surprise me” and that its author was “brave and unflinching.” Usually such praise means nothing because it’s mostly hyperbolic nonsense or noise created to sell a product. Only occasionally does something come along that truly exceeds my, sometimes ridiculous, expectations. This was definitely one of those times. If I was sitting tall in the saddle before my ride by the time Rare Breeds broke into a gallup I was hanging on for dear life as I sped toward a most uncertain destination.
Rare Breeds is the story of Aurel and Zora who, along with Zora’s daughter Livie, form a charming contemporary family. Aurel has a problem with sleepwalking that suddenly takes a dangerous and potentially lethal turn. Soon the family is beset by danger both from within and without and struggles to survive amid a storm that has been brewing for decades in Aurel’s murky past.
This is definitely a tale of family and the expectations we have of it. Aurel’s quest to find normalcy while running from a turbulent and unusual upbringing and Zora’s need for stability for her and her daughter. These expectations are the most tragic thing about Rare Breeds as they seem completely reasonable but as the story plays out you realize just how far off the mark they always were. This is a story that was bound to end in disaster and the most heartbreaking thing about it is that there is almost nothing that could have prevented the inevitable. The futility of their tenuous joy cuts deep.
The sly structure that Hofstatter chose for his terrible tragedy was enjoyable. The first half is almost entirely Aurel’s tale but when the story takes an unexpected turn it is Zora that becomes the heroine plunged into unimaginable nightmares that you will truly never see coming. Hofstatter masterfully dodges any and all expectations and had me chiding myself in the end for ever thinking that I could predict where he was taking me. He delights in subversion and removes any mental training wheels you may have been using. I was embarrassed at my hubris by the time I arrived at the genuinely stunning, but completely earned, conclusion. A most welcome lesson in humility. By spending the first half making the reader identify with Aurel (and kind of resent Zora) Hofstatter strips away your defenses so he can wallop you with gut punch after gut punch.
If I have any criticism it would be that the story isn’t long enough. The characters are a bit broad with Livie having very little character development. As important as she is to the story, she needed to be further explored. The brief glimpses into her world were intriguing, but, unfortunately, I found myself not caring as much as I felt was necessary in the end. Zora, as well, could have benefitted from more depth. Since her stark contrast to Aurel is pivotal to the plot, she needed to be just as fully realized as he. These are ultimately minor quibbles, however, and detract very little from the whole. This writer just couldn’t go on gushing without grounding myself just a smidge.
In conclusion I highly recommend Rare Breeds. It grabs you around the throat from the outset and drags you through muck and mire so rarely experienced in more “civilized” horror. Erik Hofstatter’s talented use of both misdirection and revulsion in order to maintain a chaotic tone is commendable. I look forward to reading more of his work. It’s easy to get comfortable within the status quo and important to have artists that can force you out of it. Hofstatter is one such artist.
A rare breed indeed.
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Categorized:Reviews
