Rating: 
Summary: A good introduction to Zelanzy.
Review: This was the first book of Zelanzy's I've read, and I must say that it was thoroughly enjoyable. The whole book is told from the view of a dog named Snuff, who's master is Jack the Ripper. I won't go into what happens, but I will say you will not waste your time with this read.
Rating: 
Summary: The Thing of Perspective
Review: Told by a faithful watchdog, A Night in the Lonesome October relates the activities leading up to a rare event: A full moon occurring on Halloween. Each chapter being a day in October, various players from Jack the Ripper to Count Dracula, a witch, a drunken monk, plus the efforts of Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Frankenstein, and a certain werewolf, among others, Zelazny weaves a great tale incorporating elements of old books and movies in a new twist. Snuff, the narrator, is the watchdog of Jack and is only one of many such greater than normal animal companions, including a cat, a bat, an owl, a snake, and an albino raven. These animals serve as spies and assistants, not always engaged in enmity but never totally forthright in manners which might conflict with their master's wishes. The plot centers around Halloween's rare event, and the potential for releasing the bound Elder Gods to reign over Earth again. Victory will mean life for the winners and death for the defeated. In an all or nothing contest, and with Zelazny penning the tale, the outcome is left mostly in doubt, though given the narrator's identity and viewpoint, it's not completely uncertain. My only real complaint was the placement of some of Wilson's illustrations, in that at least one gave away at the beginning of a chapter the fate of one of the players. Not real upsetting, but they could have placed the drawing at the chapter's end or when the revelation was made instead. Overall, a great read that goes by just too fast!
Rating:
Summary: Incredibly original and witty work
Review: While I find most of Zelazny's novels to be good, and I enjoy him as an author, he does have a habit of getting into a rut - novels whose hero is quirky and comes with a talking animal/inanimate sidekick, for example. This novel is a bit of a break from that trend, told from the viewpoint of a dog and his mysterious master leading up to Halloween. Incredibly witty with lots of interesting turns that keep you hooked, it's definitely one of Zelazny's most entertaining efforts. Upon re-reading it recently, it made me sad to realize that Zelazny is no longer around to provide us with material of this high caliber.
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