My Two Cents: THE HARBINGER by Kyle Rolantis

How unlucky can one man be? And is misfortune really no more than happenstance, a series of ill-fated circumstances, or could there be something more sinister at play? These questions have plagued George Rockwell, the main character in "The Harbinger" by Kyle Rolantis, since he was a young boy. When George and his childhood friend sneak into an old barn George's father has forbidden them to enter, they discover nothing inside except a raven flying through the rafters. The raven escapes thanks to George's trespass, and within short order after that, George's sister, mother, and grandfather begin dying off. These losses, and the growing suspicions that not only were they tied to the raven somehow, but that George himself was partially to blame for setting it free, haunt George well into adulthood. His guilt and self-loathing cause him to pursue reckless, self-destructive behaviors, like cheating on his loving wife, who is carrying their first child, and over-indulging in drugs and alcohol. When he begins to see an all-too familiar raven that seems to follow wherever he goes, George's behaviors, like his sanity, begin spiraling out of control. Has his family been forever cursed by the vengeful harbinger raven? And if so, how can George hope to find escape -- or redemption?

"The Harbinger" plays out like a fable. Is George doomed because of the raven, or are his miseries on his own account? It's difficult to tell, even by the end of the story, because Rolantis does a great job portraying George as a thoroughly unlikable protagonist. He's self-centered and selfish, both squandering and discounting the things in life that should bring him pride or joy. The reader watches as he unravels, and even though it's his story, we wind up feeling more sympathy for his beleaguered wife, if not outright rooting for the raven. If George's family truly is cursed, it's easy to understand why someone would have wanted to, especially if the fruit doesn't fall far from the proverbial tree.

I found this to be a dark, brooding exploration of grief, loss, and self-destruction, and how our own behaviors can lead to a much crueler downfall than anything wished upon us in malice. Rolantis writes well, and it's a short, quick read that's perfectly at home as we head into spooky season.

"The Harbinger" is available here.