Mongrels

Stephen Graham Jones writes a darkly humorous coming-of-age story set in the deep South. The narrative follows an unnamed boy living with his aunt Libby and uncle Darren, who are werewolves. This family exists on the fringes of society, constantly moving to evade the law and avoid detection by a hostile world. They are mongrels, neither fully human nor entirely wolf, struggling to survive in a place that shuns them. The plot alternates between past and present as the narrator approaches the age where he must discover if he shares their condition. For ten years, they have lived lives of late-night exits and close calls. Now, the time for hiding is ending. The boy must decide whether to stay with his aunt and uncle on the road or fit in with people on the other side of the tracks. Jones uses a rhythmic voice full of heart to tell this story. It is funny, bloody, raw, and real. Readers who enjoy literary fiction that blends fantasy with coming-of-age themes will appreciate this work. Those seeking traditional horror with clear monsters may find the focus on family dynamics less appealing. The book offers a portrait of a boy trying to understand his place in an unforgiving world.