Borne of the Deep
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Borne of the Deep
Michael Patrick Hicks’s Borne of the Deep offers a compelling premise, blending the stark realities of post-Revolutionary America with encroaching cosmic dread. The protagonist, Salem Hawley, is a fascinating figure, a free man thrust into a supernatural quest driven by debt and the pursuit of a stolen grimoire. Hicks skillfully uses the historical backdrop, particularly the 1788 New York Doctors' Riot, to ground the narrative before it descends into the unsettling atmosphere of Arkham. The pacing, while deliberate, builds a palpable sense of unease as strange creatures begin to manifest. A notable strength is the portrayal of Arkham itself as a character, a town succumbing to an encroaching, alien influence. However, the narrative occasionally falters in fully developing the supporting cast, leaving some characters feeling more like plot devices than fully realized individuals. The climax, while addressing the central conflict, could benefit from more explicit exploration of the grimoire's true nature. Despite these minor shortcomings, Borne of the Deep delivers a potent blend of historical detail and Lovecraftian horror, leaving the reader with a chilling sense of the unknown lurking beneath the surface of history.
📝 Description
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Michael Patrick Hicks' 2020 novel, Borne of the Deep, begins with a free Black man's involvement in the 1788 New York Doctors' Riot.
Borne of the Deep follows Salem Hawley, a free Black man whose life is upended after an injury during the 1788 New York Doctors' Riot. Deep in debt, he takes on a dangerous assignment to retrieve a stolen grimoire, the Al Azif. The novel is set against the backdrop of the American Revolution and its aftermath, a period of significant social change in America.
This story appeals to readers who like historical fiction mixed with supernatural events. It is particularly suited for those interested in early American history and the occult traditions emerging at that time. Fans of cosmic horror will appreciate its atmospheric dread and unsettling encounters. The protagonist must navigate a world that is both historically real and threatened by cosmic forces.
The novel places the fictional Al Azif grimoire at the center of occult forces, drawing on the tradition of forbidden texts that promise forbidden knowledge. Its narrative threads weave through the historical period of the American Revolution, a time when societal structures were in flux, potentially making them more susceptible to external, supernatural influences. The journey north to Arkham further connects it to American folklore and the darker, hidden aspects of the continent's early history, suggesting a world where the veil between the mundane and the otherworldly is thin.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Gain insight into how historical events like the 1788 New York Doctors' Riot can serve as a crucible for supernatural conflict, as depicted in Borne of the Deep. • Experience the unique atmosphere of Arkham, Massachusetts, as it transforms from a colonial town into a nexus of otherworldly incursions, a central element of Hicks's narrative. • Understand the thematic interplay between Salem Hawley's struggle for freedom and his entanglement with the forbidden knowledge contained within the Al Azif, a key motif explored throughout the book.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What historical event is central to the inciting incident in Borne of the Deep?
The inciting incident in Borne of the Deep is directly linked to the New York Doctors' Riot of 1788, an actual historical event where public unrest erupted against medical practitioners.
Who is the protagonist of Borne of the Deep?
The protagonist is Salem Hawley, a free Black man living in the period following the American Revolution, who becomes entangled in a dangerous quest.
What is the name of the forbidden grimoire in the book?
The forbidden grimoire at the center of the plot is named the Al Azif, a fictional tome of dark knowledge.
Where does much of the supernatural activity in Borne of the Deep take place?
Much of the supernatural activity and the encroaching strangeness described in the book occurs in the seaside town of Arkham, Massachusetts.
When was Borne of the Deep first published?
Borne of the Deep by Michael Patrick Hicks was first published on April 7, 2020.
What is the primary genre of Borne of the Deep?
The primary genre of Borne of the Deep is occult horror, blending historical fiction with supernatural and cosmic elements.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Historical Debt and Obligation
The narrative foregrounds Salem Hawley's precarious freedom, immediately curtailed by a debt incurred from injuries sustained during the 1788 New York Doctors' Riot. This historical event serves not just as a backdrop but as the catalyst for Hawley's perilous mission. The concept of debt extends beyond the financial; it becomes an existential burden, compelling him into a dangerous pursuit of the Al Azif, highlighting how societal structures and personal circumstances can trap individuals, even those who have achieved legal emancipation.
The Intrusion of the Unseen
Borne of the Deep meticulously crafts an atmosphere where the familiar colonial American setting begins to fray at the edges. The steady incursion of strange, otherworldly creatures into Arkham, Massachusetts, symbolizes a cosmic horror seeping into the mundane world. This theme explores the fragility of perceived reality and the terror that arises when the veil between our known existence and alien dimensions thins, suggesting forces far beyond human comprehension are at play.
Distrust and Marginalization
Salem Hawley, as a free Black man in the late 18th century, navigates a society rife with prejudice. His inability to trust the locals in Arkham is a direct consequence of this historical marginalization. The narrative uses his perspective to underscore the inherent dangers faced by those on the fringes of society, especially when confronted with inexplicable phenomena that further isolate them and amplify their vulnerability.
Forbidden Knowledge and Its Cost
The quest for the stolen grimoire, the Al Azif, is central to the plot. This artifact represents forbidden knowledge, the pursuit of which carries immense risk. The novel explores the allure and danger of occult texts, suggesting that some secrets are buried for a reason, and their uncovering can unleash catastrophic forces. The cost of such knowledge, both personal and potentially global, is a recurring motif.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“Unable to trust the locals, Hawley is forced to rely on only his wits.”
— This highlights Salem Hawley's isolation and the necessity of his resourcefulness. It emphasizes the theme of distrust stemming from his social position and the extraordinary circumstances he faces.
“Emancipated during the American Revolution, Salem Hawley is a free man--until he finds himself indebted...”
— This opening sets up the central conflict: the fragility of freedom and how historical circumstances, like the New York Doctors' Riot, can quickly re-enslave an individual through debt and obligation.
“Recruited to recover the stolen grimoire, Al Azif, Salem starts a journey north, to Arkham, Massachusetts.”
— This clearly outlines the plot's inciting incident and the protagonist's objective, establishing the supernatural quest and its destination within a specific historical and geographical context.
“Recruited to recover the stolen grimoire, Al Azif, Salem starts a journey north, to Arkham, Massachusetts.”
— This sentence establishes the central MacGuffin – the Al Azif – and its significance as the object of Salem Hawley's perilous quest, immediately signaling the occult nature of the narrative.
💡 Key Ideas
Editorial paraphrase of the work's core concepts — not direct quotes.
Plagued by rain and the incursion of strange, otherworldly creatures, the seaside town of Arkham has become a dark and dangerous place.
This passage captures the novel's core atmosphere, depicting Arkham not merely as a setting but as a victim of encroaching supernatural chaos, amplified by adverse weather, a classic trope in horror.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
Borne of the Deep does not strictly adhere to a single established esoteric tradition but draws heavily from the broader currents of Western esotericism, particularly those influenced by H.P. Lovecraft's mythos. It incorporates elements akin to occult horror, where forbidden texts and otherworldly entities breach the fabric of mundane reality. The narrative echoes Gnostic themes of hidden knowledge and malevolent cosmic forces, yet frames them within a specific historical context, departing from purely ancient or medieval settings.
Symbolism
The Al Azif serves as a potent symbol of forbidden knowledge and the dangerous allure of the occult. Its mere possession or study is depicted as capable of attracting malevolent entities and unraveling the sanity of the practitioner. The pervasive rain and the encroaching 'otherworldly creatures' symbolize the breakdown of natural order and the invasion of chaotic, alien forces into the human realm, suggesting a cosmic imbalance.
Modern Relevance
Contemporary occult practitioners and writers exploring the intersection of history and the supernatural find resonance in Hicks's work. The novel's approach to historical occultism, particularly its grounding in a specific American historical event like the 1788 Doctors' Riot, appeals to those seeking to explore esoteric themes beyond traditional European contexts. It contributes to the modern resurgence of interest in Lovecraftian horror and its capacity to comment on societal anxieties through otherworldly metaphors.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Enthusiasts of historical horror seeking narratives that blend specific 18th-century American events, like the 1788 New York Doctors' Riot, with supernatural threats. • Readers interested in Lovecraftian cosmic horror who appreciate atmospheric storytelling and the exploration of forbidden texts such as the Al Azif. • Those drawn to stories featuring protagonists navigating societal prejudice and debt, like Salem Hawley, while confronting existential and otherworldly dangers.
📜 Historical Context
Michael Patrick Hicks's Borne of the Deep is set against the backdrop of the late 18th century, a period of significant transition in American history following the Revolutionary War. The novel specifically anchors itself around the 1788 New York Doctors' Riot, a real event reflecting public distrust of the medical establishment and societal tensions. This historical detail grounds the narrative before it diverges into the supernatural. The choice of Arkham, Massachusetts, as a later setting taps into existing folklore and literary associations with the uncanny. In this era, while rationalism and Enlightenment ideals were prevalent, undercurrents of folk magic, spiritualism, and occult interests persisted, often existing in tension with prevailing scientific thought. Contemporary figures like Benjamin Franklin, though more scientifically inclined, also engaged with various philosophical and esoteric ideas. The novel's exploration of these darker, hidden forces contrasts with the more visible political and social developments of the time, suggesting a hidden world operating parallel to the burgeoning nation.
📔 Journal Prompts
Salem Hawley's debt following the New York Doctors' Riot necessitates his dangerous quest for the Al Azif; how does this compulsion shape his perception of freedom?
The 'strange, otherworldly creatures' plaguing Arkham represent a breach of reality; what might these entities symbolize within the context of colonial anxieties?
Consider the distrust Salem Hawley faces from locals; how does this social isolation amplify the supernatural threats he encounters?
Reflect on the significance of the Al Azif as a forbidden grimoire; what is the inherent danger in uncovering lost or suppressed knowledge?
The juxtaposition of the American Revolution's ideals with the encroaching darkness in Arkham invites exploration of historical disillusionment.
🗂️ Glossary
Al Azif
A fictional forbidden grimoire central to the plot of Borne of the Deep. It is implied to contain dangerous, ancient knowledge capable of attracting otherworldly entities and causing madness.
New York Doctors' Riot
A historical event in 1788 New York City where public outrage against medical dissection practices led to riots. It serves as the inciting incident for protagonist Salem Hawley's predicament in the novel.
Arkham, Massachusetts
A fictional town, famously featured in H.P. Lovecraft's works, used here as the setting for escalating supernatural events and the intrusion of otherworldly creatures.
Salem Hawley
The protagonist of Borne of the Deep, a free Black man in the post-Revolutionary era whose life becomes entangled with the pursuit of the Al Azif following an injury during the 1788 Doctors' Riot.
Otherworldly creatures
Mysterious, non-terrestrial beings that begin to appear in Arkham, representing the encroachment of cosmic horror and the breakdown of natural laws.
Grimoire
A textbook of magic or occultism, typically containing instructions for summoning spirits, casting spells, and performing rituals. The Al Azif is a specific, fictional example.
Emancipated
Freed from slavery or bondage. The novel begins with Salem Hawley being emancipated, highlighting the precariousness of his freedom in the era.
This book appears in 1 collection
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