Chapter 17 of A Resistance of Witches: Henry's Past and Return

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The chapter opens with a flashback to Henry's childhood in New Orleans. As a very young boy, Henry had what he thought were imaginary friends—but these were actually spirits of the dead. His mother, Fabienne, a Haitian-American Vodou practitioner, recognized the truth and taught Henry to assert control over the spirits. She made him command one to leave, and it obeyed. The memory establishes that Henry has always been sensitive to the spirit world.

In the present, Henry flees Château de Laurier after the Gestapo attack. He runs through the forest until nightfall, carrying the cursed Grimorium Bellum. He reaches the Boucher farm, where Richard Boucher hides him in a hayloft. Henry struggles with guilt over leaving Rebecca behind and fears for Lydia, who was poisoned by the book. He recalls his childhood in detail: how the dead followed him everywhere, how his mother's house teemed with spirits she welcomed into her body, and how he eventually closed the doors in his mind to keep them out. He escaped to France, finding peace in cathedrals and museums where spirits were subdued.

That evening, Madame Boucher brings him soup. Henry tries to call Lydia psychically by opening a door in his mind, but receives only silence. By morning, he resolves to return to the château to learn Rebecca's fate. He hikes back and finds the building abandoned, with blood, brain matter, and signs of a violent struggle. No bodies remain. He discovers that the secret cache of Louvre artworks hidden by him and René Dreyfus is untouched. Relief washes over him. He writes a letter to the museum director informing him of René's death and requesting the art be relocated. As he turns from the desk, he smells René's cologne and sees a ghostly figure in the doorway—presumably René's spirit.

Key Events

Henry recalls his childhood imaginary friends turning out to be spirits, and his mother Fabienne teaching him to command them.
Henry flees Château de Laurier and seeks shelter at the Boucher farm.
He reflects on his past: growing up surrounded by Vodou spirits, his struggle to maintain boundaries, and his escape to France.
He tries to contact Lydia telepathically but fails.
He decides to return to the château.
He discovers the château ransacked with blood but no bodies; the hidden art collection remains safe.
He writes a farewell letter to the Louvre director and senses René's ghost.

Character Development

Henry Boudreaux: This chapter deepens Henry’s character by revealing his lifelong sensitivity to spirits, inherited from his mother’s Vodou traditions. His childhood trauma—being harassed by demanding, sometimes violent dead—explains his guardedness and his earlier inability to kiss Lydia. His decision to return to the château shows courage and a sense of responsibility, overriding his guilt and fear.

Fabienne Boudreaux: Though only appearing in memory, Fabienne is portrayed as a strong, wise mother who teaches Henry boundaries. Her control over spirits contrasts with Henry’s difficulty, highlighting his ongoing struggle.

Lydia and Rebecca: Both are absent but loom large in Henry’s thoughts. His guilt over leaving Rebecca and his longing for Lydia drive his actions.

René Dreyfus: His death is confirmed; his ghost appears at the end, suggesting unfinished business or a lingering connection with Henry.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Spirit Communication as Burden: Henry’s ability to see and hear spirits is not a gift but a curse that isolates him and exhausts him. The spirits demand things, invade his space, and frighten him.

Boundaries and Control: Fabienne’s lesson—that Henry must assert himself as the boss of his own house—represents the need for personal boundaries. Henry eventually learns to close doors in his mind, but his guard slips when he is emotionally vulnerable.

Sacrifice and Duty: Henry’s return to the château, despite the danger, underscores his commitment to the people he cares about and to the cause of protecting the Louvre art.

The Grimorium Bellum: Symbolizes irresistible evil power that poisons anyone who interacts with it. Henry hates it and fears it.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 17 provides essential backstory for Henry, explaining his abilities and his emotional reticence. It establishes his connection to Vodou, his mother's influence, and why he fled to France. The chapter also marks a turning point: Henry stops running and chooses to confront the consequences of the Gestapo attack. His discovery that the art is safe offers a small victory, while the appearance of René’s spirit suggests that supernatural elements will play a larger role going forward.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Henry’s childhood experience with spirits explain his behavior toward Lydia earlier in the book? Henry was taught by his mother to keep strict boundaries with the dead. When he let his guard down while sitting with Lydia, a spirit slipped through, startling him and ruining the romantic moment. His lifelong fear of losing control over the spirits makes him hesitant to open up emotionally.

2. Why does Henry decide to return to Château de Laurier after fleeing? He is consumed by guilt for leaving Rebecca to face the Gestapo alone, and he needs to know whether she survived. He also hopes to confirm the fate of the hidden artwork and to honor René’s sacrifice. His return is an act of responsibility and love.

3. What is the significance of the hidden art collection remaining safe? The survival of the Louvre treasures validates Henry and René’s three years of dangerous work. It provides a moment of hope and meaning amid the tragedy of René’s death. It also shows that Henry’s sacrifice—being unable to continue protecting the art—has not been wasted.

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