Rogue Male is the classic thriller written in 1939 by Geoffrey Household. It has been consistently republished with updated cover art, matching the times and making it appear a current novel - which a timeless story like this can uphold. Countless students read this in school, and a special edition was issued to British troops in the early months as Europe moved into war. A bestseller that redefined the genre, it has more to offer than adventure - philosophy and morality taking centre stage. Although Household wrote it with an intense dislike of Hitler, any current or future dictator could be replaced, take your pick.
An unnamed narrator creeps towards the estate, watching a Dictator and his bodyguards before moving close enough to set his rifle sight for assassination. There is no reason for this man to be there besides his love of sport, the hunt of the ultimate prey. Caught, tortured and left for dead, he manages to wait out his injuries and escape back to England. No easy feat, but he has some advantages - a wealthy man of society (you would know his name) he is the type the very look of opens doors, ample funds available if he can reach them, and papers that would not be questioned. As the story unfolds, he hints at the inner turmoil that caused him to do an act so reckless. The Dictator's men pursue him to London, and his plan is formed to travel southwest to Dorset, living off the land and sleeping rough until the chase cools down. With minimal supplies and a seemingly aimless path, he exits society, covering dirt pits with leaves and brush to sleep under. His presence is not unnoticed, and he is soon caught up - by agents of his own government, or perhaps the enemy...
His motiveless hunt seems an irrational act, it is only as the story unfolds that we see his reasoning. As he moves into camping on the moors and hills of Dorset, I felt the story lost urgency, becoming a tale of a man on the land, but there are several ties that begin to bind as he finds no place to go, no escape, and it's then his full history is revealed. Called an adventure thriller, for me this became more a study of grief and hopelessness - there is more going on with this character besides an elaborate chase. Dealing with deeper questions is perhaps why this novel has resonated for so many years.
Rogue Male was adapted for radio three times in 1951, 1989, and 2004. It was filmed twice (renamed Manhunt in 1941, BBC TV with Peter O'Toole in 1975). David Morrell has cited this as the main inspiration for his novel First Blood, the film of which spawned the Rambo film series.
An exciting read that moves into deeper meditations on revenge and morality, it's timeless.
1939 / Paperback / 176 pages
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