The Hounding

The Crucible meets The Virgin Suicides in this haunting debut about five sisters in a small village in 18th century England whose neighbors are convinced theyΓÇÖre turning into dogs. Even before the rumors about the Mansfield girls begin,Little Nettlebed is a village steeped in the uncannyfrom strange creatures that wash up on the riverbed to portentous ravens gathering on the roofs of people about to die. But when the villagers start to hear barkingand when one claims to see the Mansfield sisters transform before his very eyesthe allegations spark fascination and fear like nothing has before. The truth is that the inhabitants of Little Nettlebed have never much liked the Mansfield girlsΓÇöa little oddthink some; a little high on themselvesperhapsΓÇöbut theyΓÇÖve always had plenty to say about them andas the rotating perspectives of five of the villagers quickly make clearnow is no exception. Belief in witchcraft is waning but an aversion to difference is as widespread as everand these conflicting narratives all point to the same ultimate conclusion: something isnΓÇÖt right in Little Nettlebedand the sisters will be the ones to pay for it. As relevant today as any time beforeThe Hounding celebrates the wild breaks from convention weΓÇÖre all sometimes pulled towardand wonders ifin a world like this oneit isnΓÇÖt safer to be a dog than an unusual young girl.