The Captive is the second novel in the Book of the Beast trilogy by Robert Stallman, a science fiction and horror writer who died in 1980. The trilogy follows the adventures of a mysterious shapeshifting beast who can assume human forms and learn from human experiences.
The Captive picks up where the first novel, The Orphan, left off. The beast has taken the form of Barry Golden, a handsome young man who falls in love with a married woman. When her husband tries to kill him, Barry is forced to transform into the beast and flee to the woods. There, he discovers that he can control other animals and even humans with his mind. He uses this power to find a safe place to heal, but his mind control slips and he is captured by a circus owner who puts him on display as a freak.
The novel explores the themes of identity, love, violence, and freedom, as the beast struggles to escape his captivity and find his true self. The novel also offers a critique of the society and the family in the Depression-era America, where the beast encounters both kindness and cruelty from different people.
The Captive has received positive reviews from readers and critics, who praised Stallman’s writing style, imagination, and characterization. The Captive is a captivating and original novel that blends science fiction and horror with a touch of romance. It is a must-read for fans of Ray Bradbury and Clifford D. Simak, as well as anyone who enjoys a good story of a beast in search of his humanity.
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The Captive by Robert Stallman | Goodreads
