Rating: 
Summary: And you thought your friends had odd hobbies...
Review: This relatively recent effort of Zelazny's manages to convey a highly engrossing sense of fun through the narrative voice of Snuff, Jack the Ripper's faithful enchanted hound. With a plot borrowed from one of his own short stories, Zelazny pits two factions of famous historical madmen and freaks against each other. The prize is, of course, the fate of the world. During Snuff's search for the perfect eye of newt, the reader will encounter many other animal familiars, as well as a vampiric Count, a mad scientist, the Great Detective (replete with deerstalker cap) and the aforementioned Ripper, who turns out to be a rather quiet, likable fellow who only kills when the fate of the world is threatened or some upstart vivisectionists attempt to carve up his dog. As the book's chapters are numbered to match the thirty-one days which make up October, I try to read this book once a year in real time. Anyone is welcome to attempt this, but may find it difficult not to read ahead, or they may not have the same perverse sense of literary propriety which I possess.
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: Excellent story-telling, great tale to read
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: A book to make you think mankind is still worth something
Review: When I feel really bad I go back and re-read this book. There are very few books in the world that can compare to this one. Not just science fiction. Zelazny's death is an awful loss.
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.
Rating:
Summary: A thoroughly enjoyable experience!
Review: Whoever thought of mixing Roger Zelazny's writing with Gahan Wilson's illustrations is a genius! It made an already excellent book so much better! Basically, this is a diary --- the diary of Jack-the-Ripper's DOG (yes, I said DOG), as we countdown the eerie goings on leading up to Halloween night in a very strange little town! I loved this book!
Rating:
Summary: As different as fantasy gets!
Review: Zelazny and Wilson combine for one of the strangest novels ever. Combining Lovecraft, Universal monsters, Jack the Ripper, and man's best friend as your humble narrator this book is a true original. There really is nothing to compare it to, a truly unique reading experience(and a lot of fun!)
Rating:
Summary: A Dogs View of Magic and Witchcraft
Review: Zelazny has done it again with this book. The story is told through the eyes of the pets of known magic and witchcraft users. It is done in very everyday language and gives the reader a true feel for the value of pets even to the supernatural.
Rating:
Summary: Delightful
Review: Zelazny is the best science fiction writer ever as far as I'm concerned. His writing is always multi-dimensional, imaginative and entertaining. This book is one of my favorites. It is full of whimsy and an almost childlike wonder. The illustrations are exquisite. I miss Mr. Zelazny and have been unable to find another writer with his talent, wit or heart. If anyone has found a similar sci-fi writer please let me know. I think I may be waiting a long time for any response.
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