The Fetch

Title: The Fetch
Author: Robert Holdstock
Published: 1991 by Warner Books
Genre: Urban fantasy
Pages: 376


Damn, with the difficulties I had typing just that in, it's probably not a good idea to try and write this thing as tired as I am. But hey, let's give it a go!

The Fetch was translated into Finnish (Muinaisuuden kosketus) some little time after coming out, and since I had read my way through Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Eddings' books, Pratchett, DragonLance and damn well everything fantasy the local library had by then, I picked it up after finishing Mythago Wood and its first sequel. I was much more into epic fantasy than this kind of a thing, magical stuff in our modern world, but I found I quite liked it. It's still one of my favourites. Maybe like, in top 10 or so.

This was the third or fourth time I read The Fetch, first time in English. It's about a young boy, Michael Whitlock, who is adopted by childless parents as an infant. Only a few days in his new home, strange things start to happen. The new parents blame Michael's birth mother, but eventually figure out that it is Michael himself who is causing these odd and frightening occurrences. When he starts bringing home expensive treasures with his talent, horror turns to something else. Hard to say much more without spoilers, read it yourself!

I can't remember whether I reacted as strongly the last few reads to some of the events in the book, but this time, the urge to slap some bitches was strong. Still, the book is as good as I remembered, maybe more so since I am older and somewhat wiser than the first time around. Started reading this about a month ago, and finished it during the last few bus trips to work. The long trips go by too fast with an exciting book like this one. At least I'm getting some serious reading done.


"He drew himself into the picture, a small, yellow-haired figure, and placed his shadow perfectly considering the position of the bright sun at the top corner of the drawing. He drew his mother, standing at the edge of the garden, just outside the zones of his castle. He drew Carol and gave her a big smile, because he always wanted Carol to smile when she felt sad. Then, after a moment's hesitation, he drew his father. He drew a huge open mouth with teeth around the figure of the man.

"After a while, after staring at the page for a few minutes, he found a darker crayon.

"And with a quick, angry smile, he closed the monster's mouth."