Rating: Summary: A highly original, quirky, delightful novel Review: Roger Zelazny is a fascinating, singularly unique writer. What other author gives you the likes of Jack the Ripper, Count Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and Sherlock Holmes in the same novel? How about Lovecraftian themes and allusions? And it's not even a horror novel. This is wildly romping fantasy at its best. Our narrator is a dog named Snuff; he's no ordinary dog, however. He is the companion of Saucy Jack, the watchdog of unfathomable trapped monsters, calculator of the lines of fate, and immensely important guardian against evil. In certain years, when the moon is right, on All Hallow's Eve, the Elder Gods seek entry back into our world. At those times, the proper individuals and agents instinctively come to the crucial area and seek to either open or close the eldritch gates. During such a lonesome October, these agents prepare their spells and minds for the challenge, while interacting with one another in attempts to learn from, thwart, and sometimes remove their fellow players from the Game. Each player has a companion animal, and it is Snuff's interaction with his cohorts that drives the story along. Snuff's greatest friend is the cat Graymalk, and their relationship and true friendship in the face of possible competition really won me over. The Game is confusing early on, which is at it should be. The reader must struggle to understand not only what the Game actually is but also figure out who and what is on which side of the coming conflict. I remained relatively clueless as to how the final drama would play out, and I am happy to say I did not find it disappointing. It is interesting to consider the players in this Game. While we know Snuff serves Jack the Ripper, we see the man as a cheerful, utterly pleasant man with a grave responsibility, a veritable hero in fact; allusions are made to his trips to town for certain necessary items, and we do see him become deadly dangerous when Snuff is in danger, but largely the character is Jack and never the Ripper. The other characters are basically all portrayed in the same fashion, and it becomes particularly amusing for the Great Detective to continue running around in the guise of a woman, especially since Snuff is never fooled by the disguise the way the humans are. Zelazny gives us a fun read with this novel. It's not particularly funny, yet I view it as a comedy in many ways. There is one section when the text changes completely, describing a transit among the lands Lovecraft fans regard with awe and wonder, but by and large it is a fast, engrossing read sure to delight all fans of well-crafted, lively fantasy. There is only one Roger Zelazny, and no fan of fantasy should deprive himself of the talents of this fantastic author. I should also mention the fact that this book is replete with illustrations by the renowned Gahan Wilson; the illustrations strike me as minimalist and simplistic, but they do seem to suit the story and its style of presentation quite well, adding a further touch of distinction to this uncommonly good novel.
Rating: Summary: a review......... Review: The tale is told from the viewpoint of Snuff, Jack the Ripper's pet dog. Each chapter is a single day in the month of October leading up to Halloween. On Halloween powerful magicians will either try to open or close the gate that will bring the gods of H.P.Lovecrafts Mythos to Earth. On the side of good are Dracula, Jack the Ripper and the Wolfman! The story is fast paced and totally enthralling. Only Zelazny can turn such villains into the heros of a novel.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful blend of literary characters! Review: The tale is told from the viewpoint of Snuff, Jack the Ripper's pet dog. Each chapter is a single day in the month of October leading up to Halloween. On Halloween powerful magicians will either try to open or close the gate that will bring the gods of H.P.Lovecrafts Mythos to Earth. On the side of good are Dracula, Jack the Ripper and the Wolfman! The story is fast paced and totally enthralling. Only Zelazny can turn such villains into the heros of a novel.
Rating: Summary: This book shows Zelazny's vivid imagination. Review: This book captures the readers attention right from the first page till the last. The narrator of the story is Snuff,a well written character, who adds a whole new light to the meaning of pets. I am a big fan of Zelazny and was not disapointed at all! I believe that if you enjoy sci-fan this book is a new and enjoyable read!
Rating: Summary: a review......... Review: This book is a good book. read it. it has a plastic cover.
Rating: Summary: Addictive Fun Review: This book is too much fun. Halloween 2001 is supposed to be a full moon - I'll be watching! I keep re-reading this book. It's kind of like some of those cult movies that you just keep watching over and over again discover new jokes and references each time. A quick read, but a complete story. If you have not read this yet you are WRONG.
Rating: Summary: The strange, the macbre, and the hillarious Review: This has to be my favorite Zelazny story after the Amber Novels. The story is complex, twisting, and well told. The point of view being the various animal familiars is unique. A good mystery, a mildly scary story, and a laughable cast of characters. Zelany's narration of the audio is first rate. He should have done all his own stories on audio.
Rating: Summary: Huh? Review: This is a fairly compelling read, but half of the reason is because you keep waiting for Enlightenment- in other words, "but what does it all mean?"
Unfortunately, Zelazny never quite lets us know. If you don't mind rather pointless and mildly cryptic- but still quite readable- prose, this one may be for you.
Rating: Summary: Light-hearted Treatment of the Victorian Age Review: This is an extraordinary tale with all the oddball figures of the Sherlock Holmes era making a guest appearance. A highly entertaining and picturesque story, yet still, Zealazy's fans may find it less satisfying than the witty scenes he used to produce from time to time. Anyway, it is a nostalgic experience which leaves the reader wondering how much fun it can be to live through a chaotic halloween.
Rating: Summary: A reading treat Review: This is the first Zelazny book I read and it made me a fan.
|