Rating: 
Summary: One to read over and over!
Review: A Night in the Lonesome October is the perfect novel for those of you who love light, compelling fantasy. Zelazny, a master of simplicity, chooses a watchdog named Snuff to tell his macabre tale of a grizzly event which takes place when there is a full moon on Halloween. The rest of the characters are equally strange, but recognizable and intriguing. All leads, through amusing diversions, to a satisfying ending with plenty of surprises. All in all, it is a sample of vintage Zelazny; a novel to read once you've read all the Amber novels.I have read this book at least 5 times, and it equally amusing each time. I catch refrences I might have missed previously, and lose myself in the world Zelazny creates. Don't write it off prematurely as typical fantasy. Roger Zelazny was always much more than that. "And ah, my foes, and oh, my friends, they gave such a wonderful light. Hickory - Dickory - Dock!"
Rating:
Summary: He saved the best for last
Review: A Night in the Lonesome October.... Close your eyes and journey into this Night. A slight breeze, just strong enough to tatter the clouds, whispers in the trees, rustling the leaves like brittle parchment. It carries in it's slight chill the promise of winter to come, welcome after the sweltering nights of summer. Soon it will be All Hallows Eve with all its attendant sprites and spooks. But there is another deed to be done on that night, that, even though it shall decide the future, will be attended by only the chosen few able to read the portents of it's coming. Ever thought you'd find yourself siding with the Wolfman, Dracula or Jack the Ripper in any kind of conflict? Roger Zelazny has taken a cast of characters from literature and screen and combined them in probably the most unique story I've ever had the pleasure to read (and re-read and re-read, ad infinitum). I know a review should talk about the characters and the storyline, etc. but to do so in any way except for the vaguest generalities would definitely cripple the virgin enjoyment of reading this very short novel. Humor, suspense, occult, mystery, history, it's all here. If you were raised in any Western culture you already know the major characters. The story may be vaguely familiar but I assure you it's presented in a way that's completely original. To help you get started here's a general plot. Jack the Ripper is still alive (maybe he's even immortal?) and back in rural England. The predations that he is so famous for are, it turns out, not the doings of a twisted mind, but rather, the necessary preparations for a rare event. Others, such as the Wolfman, Dracula, Dr. Frankenstein, and even the Great Detective, are also converging on the spot where this event will take place accompanied by their familiars. The story is narrated by Jack's familiar Snuff, a demon trapped in the body of a hound. That's enough to get you going. Set aside 3 or 4 hours and enjoy (it's only 150 pages or so). I've read and re-read over fifty of Roger Zelazny's books and could safely be classified as a devoted fan (I've been through 5 copies of both Lord of Light and Eye of Cat). These books all have a core that is uniquely the author's and a style that unfortunately seems to be an acquired taste,like a fine malt Scotch. The comments I've gotten from people that I've tried to expose to him usually go something like 'I tried reading it but I just couldn't seem to get started'. Of course the more intelligent ones got into them right away and then worked their way through the rest of my collection <G>. But now there's a book that I can give to those who 'couldn't get started'. Everyone I've given it to has not only finished it quickly, but also borrowed others to try again.
His final work, Roger Zelazny definitely saved the best for last.
Rating:
Summary: Jack (The Ripper) and his dog
Review: A truly excellent, nutty off-the-wall adventure which follows a cast of well known characters from the annals of literary horror and history on a supernatural romp through London in preparation for a Game that will determine the fate of the world. I found all the characters to be engaging and interesting. My only quibble is with the end, which seems very rushed. I'm not a Zelanzy fan, nevertheless I found myself wishing there was a sequel to this book. I wanted more of the adventures of Jack and Snuff. I think this book would do very well as a serial comic: it seems suited to it.
Rating:
Summary: I read any fiction concerning Halloween, this was the best!
Review: A wonderfully bizzare book that made me a fan of Zelazny. A smooth easy read(although it slows towards the end, it picks up again rather quickly). I read it every Halloween! Highly recomended.
Rating:
Summary: I also reread this book every October
Review: but seem to have misplaced my copy :( It better turn up soon. Two small details have been bothering me; since the losers
perish each time, and the world remains unchanged, Snuff
should be able to deduce that any who have played before
are closers. Secondly, at one point the church is in the
center, yet Snuff (the calculator) comes up
with different means when doing the calculation with and
without the church. Does that make sense? Even with these
inconsistencies this book is awesome.
Rating:
Summary: I also reread this book every October
Review: but seem to have misplaced my copy :( It better turn up soon. Two small details have been bothering me; since the losers
perish each time, and the world remains unchanged, Snuff
should be able to deduce that any who have played before
are closers. Secondly, at one point the church is in the
center, yet Snuff (the calculator) comes up
with different means when doing the calculation with and
without the church. Does that make sense? Even with these
inconsistencies this book is awesome.
Rating:
Summary: DAMN this book is good!
Review: Do NOT miss this book. Zelazny has a genuis for twisted plots and memorable characters and he showcases it here most impressively. Not having read canonical horror stories (Frankenstein, Dracula, anything by H. P. Lovecraft etc...especially anything by Lovecraft) won't make this book any less exciting, but having read them adds an extra element.
Rating: 
Summary: Not worth the effort
Review: Every one of Zelazny's works that I'd read up to this point (several short stories and one novel) impressed me with delightful story-telling and vivid imagery. Unfortunately, this story fails to follow the trend. Jack the Ripper, Frankenstein, Sherlock Holmes, and American Werewolf in London. Determining who most of the characters are is one of the more entertaining parts of this book. But for the most part, it's a slow, plodding read with a disappointing ending. There are a few scenes worth savoring: the graveyard scene, and the many attempts by the Thing in the Circle to seduce our hero, Snuff. These scenes are not enough to save the book, though. If you wish to be complete in your perusal of Zelazny, go ahead and fight your way through, otherwise, leave this book on the shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Why do so many of the great odd books go out of print?
Review: Hero is Jack (yes, that Jack) who battles Lovecraftian evil. Written from the POV of his dog Snuff. This unusual narration works well, and you will soon find yourself reading it out loud to savor it even more. Hilarious and unique. Incredible illustrations by Gahan Wilson.
Rating:
Summary: Fun with Jack the Ripper
Review: I hadn't had this much fun just reading a book in ages. The major characters include Jack the Ripper, Count Dracula, the Wolfman, Dr. Frankenstein (and his creation), Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and about half a dozen more odd souls, most of whom have animal familiars, and the whole story is told by Jack's familiar, a dog named Snuff. Zelazny mixes black humor, sometimes manic humor, and lovely writing, and the tapes, read by the author, are as comforting to listen to as a bedtime story by a dear friend.
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