Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Chicago Review Press (2014), Edition: Unabridged, 288 pages
Description
Loyally accompanying a mysterious knife-wielding gentleman named Jack on his midnight rounds through the murky streets of London, good dog Snuff is busy helping his master collect the grisly ingredients needed for an unearthly rite that will take place not long after the death of the moon. But Snuff and his master are not alone. All manner of participants, both human and not, are gathering with their ancient tools and their animal familiars in preparation for the dread night. It is brave, devoted Snuff who must calculate the patterns of the Game and keep track of the Players - the witch, the mad monk, the vengeful vicar, the Count who sleeps by day, the Good Doctor and the hulking Experiment Man he fashioned from human body parts, and a wild-card American named Larry Talbot - all the while keeping Things at bay and staying a leap ahead of the Great Detective, who knows quite a bit more than he lets on. Boldly original and wildly entertaining, A Night in the Lonesome October is a darkly sparkling gem, an amalgam of horror, humor, mystery, and fantasy. First published in 1993, it was Zelazny's last book prior to his untimely death. Many consider it the best of the fantasy master's novels. It has inspired many fans to read it every year in October, a chapter a day, and served as inspiration for Neil Gaiman's brilliant story "Only the End of the World Again.".… (more)
Media reviews
Part of the enjoyment of A Night in the Lonesome October comes from recognizing obvious characters and puzzling over the identities of the elusive ones. When I wrote about the origins of this novel in Zelazny’s biography, I took the opportunity to identify the characters I was certain about. Then
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upon re-reading the novel last year, I became determined to identify everyone. When I stumbled upon the connection to Virginia Woolf (a writer whose works Zelazny admired), I knew that I had a new essay to write. I also wanted it to be accessible to readers who’d enjoy this kind of thing, and so it appeared in The New York Review of Science Fiction. But the identity game may never end. Only Zelazny knew for certain who was who (or did he?), and a NYRSF reader quickly pointed out a better inspiration for the raven Tekela than what I’d proposed. Some readers may dispute my conclusions and others may not want help unmasking the characters. But for those who do want a Who’s Who in A Night in the Lonesome October, here’s a newly revised and accessible version. And what better place for it than an issue of Lovecraft eZine that is offered in tribute to the novel and the author? Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member Heather_Heck
One of my favorites, I read it annually during the month of October--a chapter a day (or a day a chapter, if you like). Never before (and probably never again) will the reader root for Jack the Ripper. When it comes right now to good, evil, and a major cosmic rift, my money's on Jack and Snuff
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every time. With a rather comic ending and short chapters, every major "monster" is highlighted in an epic battle on Halloween night. A YA must-read, it's still this grown-up's all-time favorite! Show Less
LibraryThing member mikeneko
Unusual fantasy/mystery in which classic literary/movie monsters (and their animal familiars) interact within a Lovecraft-based world. Our Hero is a dog named Snuff, the assistant of a man named "Jack" (who has a rather large knife); Snuff narrates one chapter for every day in October leading up to
The book has (exceedingly ugly) illustrations by Gahan Wilson. These are worth ignoring because not a few of them are placed pages ahead of the passages they're meant to be illustrating, resulting in constant plot spoilers.
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the final confrontation on Halloween.The book has (exceedingly ugly) illustrations by Gahan Wilson. These are worth ignoring because not a few of them are placed pages ahead of the passages they're meant to be illustrating, resulting in constant plot spoilers.
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LibraryThing member riani1
I believe this is the last book Zelazny published that he got to finish himself, and it's a glorious tour de force. The travelogue of Lovecraft's world is in Zelazny's gorgeous prose, and the interweaving of the classics of horror show true love. Throw in Sherlock Holmes' greatest disguise, and
Gahan Wilson's illustrations are a perfect, surreal touch to a story out of the ordinary.
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there is a story that I hope brings others as much joy as it does me.Gahan Wilson's illustrations are a perfect, surreal touch to a story out of the ordinary.
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LibraryThing member paradoxosalpha
A Night in the Lonesome October is divided into 31 chapters, one for each day in the month, and some people read it that way, one chapter per day. I got it by inter-library loan and read the whole thing in three days, though. It's a very fast read: the chapters are short and there are many interior
It recounts an instance of "The Game," in which an assortment of adepts converge on a shared location for a Samhain ceremony to determine whether or not Yog-Sothoth and his cousins will return to dominate the world. It is told by Snuff, a dog who is the companion of one of the sorcerers. Each of the players in the game has a familiar, and they are all of different species: dog, cat, squirrel, bat, snake, owl, etc. Most of the book involves socializing and strategy among these creatures. In addition to the players and their familiars, there are some other complicating characters, and all of them have their origins in literature outside of this book, creating puzzles and rewards for those well-read in horror fiction.
There are at least a couple of reasonably surprising plot twists, and the whole book is good fun. I don't think I'll make an October tradition out of reading it as some have, but I'm glad to have taken it on this year.
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illustrations by Gahan Wilson.It recounts an instance of "The Game," in which an assortment of adepts converge on a shared location for a Samhain ceremony to determine whether or not Yog-Sothoth and his cousins will return to dominate the world. It is told by Snuff, a dog who is the companion of one of the sorcerers. Each of the players in the game has a familiar, and they are all of different species: dog, cat, squirrel, bat, snake, owl, etc. Most of the book involves socializing and strategy among these creatures. In addition to the players and their familiars, there are some other complicating characters, and all of them have their origins in literature outside of this book, creating puzzles and rewards for those well-read in horror fiction.
There are at least a couple of reasonably surprising plot twists, and the whole book is good fun. I don't think I'll make an October tradition out of reading it as some have, but I'm glad to have taken it on this year.
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LibraryThing member cissa
I LOVE this book. I generally read it every October, as we count down to Halloween, and last year I read a chapter each day to my husband, who loved it too.
Our journalist is a dog, first of all. He is very matter-of-fact about all kinds of weird stuff going on around him, and his job is to help
Although, please note that names are not mentioned; one must deduce. There is the great detective, the mad scientist, the witch, the vampire, etc. Everyone has their own agendas as either Openers or Closers, and no one wants to display their cards to each other. Even the familiars have their own agendas.
The matter-of-fact tone makes the whole thing rather noir in feel, although there are various laugh-out-loud funny bits. I won't describe them so as not to spoil them for you!
I love Wilson's illustrations, too. He is in general brilliant at combining the horrific with the giggle-worthy, and they fit the style of the book perfectly.
While there's nothing in it particularly unsuitable for kids, I'd recommend it to adults; without the cultural background and context, you'd miss a LOT.
Mostly, I don't do much re-reading; there are too many new (and new-to-me) books to spend much time returning to those I've already read. This is an exception.
And it's the perfect lead-up to Halloween!
Our journalist is a dog, first of all. He is very matter-of-fact about all kinds of weird stuff going on around him, and his job is to help
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Save The World with the help of his master, (probably) Jack the Ripper.Although, please note that names are not mentioned; one must deduce. There is the great detective, the mad scientist, the witch, the vampire, etc. Everyone has their own agendas as either Openers or Closers, and no one wants to display their cards to each other. Even the familiars have their own agendas.
The matter-of-fact tone makes the whole thing rather noir in feel, although there are various laugh-out-loud funny bits. I won't describe them so as not to spoil them for you!
I love Wilson's illustrations, too. He is in general brilliant at combining the horrific with the giggle-worthy, and they fit the style of the book perfectly.
While there's nothing in it particularly unsuitable for kids, I'd recommend it to adults; without the cultural background and context, you'd miss a LOT.
Mostly, I don't do much re-reading; there are too many new (and new-to-me) books to spend much time returning to those I've already read. This is an exception.
And it's the perfect lead-up to Halloween!
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LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
You're supposed to read it one day at a time, through October...maybe next year. I didn't get it until today, so I had to read up until the 12th, then I couldn't stop. Weird and wonderful. I disagree with Gahan Wilson's illustrations at a good many points (that's not Snuff, that scarred, droopy
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hound!), but they're nicely eerie for general atmosphere. I think I would enjoy it more if I read Lovecraft and the like - there are definitely allusions that are going over my head - but I know enough to enjoy it. The Count, the Good Doctor, Bubo being a smart-ass, the Great Detective and his (extremely weird, by the end) disguises...werewolves, Gypsies, openers, closers, friendship and enmity in odd directions. The vivisectors' lab was nasty, the staked skeleton odd...one of the references that went over my head was Snuff and Jack themselves. Drawing lines, and calculations. It's extremely peculiar, fascinating, has at least one major twist in the ending, and I think I like it. Maybe by next year I'll know whether I do. But if I find it in a book sale between now and then, I'll definitely get it - I think this will richly reward a re-read. Show Less
LibraryThing member bluesalamanders
The narrator is...a dog.
His master is...Jack, who wields 'the knife'.
The characters include...a witch, a vampire, a werewolf, 'The Good Doctor', and 'The Great Detective'.
This is a fun, totally non-serious, absolutely enjoyable book about what happens when 'the right people' gather when there's a
His master is...Jack, who wields 'the knife'.
The characters include...a witch, a vampire, a werewolf, 'The Good Doctor', and 'The Great Detective'.
This is a fun, totally non-serious, absolutely enjoyable book about what happens when 'the right people' gather when there's a
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full moon on Halloween. Show Less
LibraryThing member NogDog
Highly original: It is narrated by a dog who is Jack the Ripper's familiar, and Jack is one of the good guys. Get the picture? No?...then read it!
LibraryThing member tapestry100
Somehow over the years, Roger Zelazny has slipped by me. I've been aware of him as an author, I've just never found occasion to read any of his books. When I heard that A Night in the Lonesome October was being released, and knowing that a dear friend is a diehard Zelazny fan, I picked up a copy
Well, I'll tell you what, I had a lot of trouble sticking to my one chapter a night. I loved this book! Seriously, at the end of my nightly chapter, I wanted so desperately to keep reading, but I restrained myself. I found the whole idea, that numerous literary figures from across the horror spectrum have come together to play the Game, fantastic. Told from the point of view of Jack's familiar, a dog named Snuff, we are lead through the month of October as he tracks down clues as to which side of the Game each of the players are on. I loved this bit, as you try to figure out, along with Snuff, who is going to be pitted against who at the end of the Game. It was also fun seeing how so many literary (and in some cases, historical) characters were woven into this book. The entire story becomes a guessing game as you try to figure out who each of the characters are (some are obvious, some not quite so)and what role they'll play in the Game. I'm not saying what the Game is, as that's half the mystery as it is played out in the book.
Some might consider the next bit a little spoilerish.
If I had one quibble about the book, it's the abrupt end. There is so much build up to the finale of the story, that when it arrives, I was left a little shocked. It may just be that I wanted more of the story, but once the Game comes to an end, it is finished. No further explanation as to what happens to the characters, nothing. The story is just done. For me, it was just a little too unexpected, but I guess it works with the way the book is written, as we're only shown this one month of the character's lives.
End of spoilerish bit.
A Night in the Lonesome October is an immensely clever and entertaining book, a perfect addition to any reading that you may be doing leading up to Halloween. I'm fairly sure this will become a favorite of mine each October.
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and suggested that she and I read the book, one chapter a night, through the month of October. Well, I'll tell you what, I had a lot of trouble sticking to my one chapter a night. I loved this book! Seriously, at the end of my nightly chapter, I wanted so desperately to keep reading, but I restrained myself. I found the whole idea, that numerous literary figures from across the horror spectrum have come together to play the Game, fantastic. Told from the point of view of Jack's familiar, a dog named Snuff, we are lead through the month of October as he tracks down clues as to which side of the Game each of the players are on. I loved this bit, as you try to figure out, along with Snuff, who is going to be pitted against who at the end of the Game. It was also fun seeing how so many literary (and in some cases, historical) characters were woven into this book. The entire story becomes a guessing game as you try to figure out who each of the characters are (some are obvious, some not quite so)and what role they'll play in the Game. I'm not saying what the Game is, as that's half the mystery as it is played out in the book.
Some might consider the next bit a little spoilerish.
If I had one quibble about the book, it's the abrupt end. There is so much build up to the finale of the story, that when it arrives, I was left a little shocked. It may just be that I wanted more of the story, but once the Game comes to an end, it is finished. No further explanation as to what happens to the characters, nothing. The story is just done. For me, it was just a little too unexpected, but I guess it works with the way the book is written, as we're only shown this one month of the character's lives.
End of spoilerish bit.
A Night in the Lonesome October is an immensely clever and entertaining book, a perfect addition to any reading that you may be doing leading up to Halloween. I'm fairly sure this will become a favorite of mine each October.
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LibraryThing member JanaOliver
Only Zelazny can get away with employing Jack the Ripper as a force for good. An excellent book that I've read many times.
LibraryThing member williemeikle
A wonderful book in every sense of the word, and perfect October reading. Jack the Ripper, the Wolfman, Sherlock Holmes, Dr Frankenstein ( and his monster), Dracula, a witch, a mad monk, an evil vicar and many more, all attempting to perform a ritual to either allow Lovecraftian old ones through to
It's gorgeously written, humorous, completely immersive and one of the greatest things since sliced bread. Do yourself a favor and get onto this straight away - you can thank me later.
And try to get the illustrated version - the b&W drawings accompanying the text complement it perfectly.
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our plane, or prevent it from happening. And all ably narrated by Snuff, Jack's faithful, and possibly immortal, dog companion. Zelazny was on top form here, a towering talent, taken far too early.It's gorgeously written, humorous, completely immersive and one of the greatest things since sliced bread. Do yourself a favor and get onto this straight away - you can thank me later.
And try to get the illustrated version - the b&W drawings accompanying the text complement it perfectly.
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LibraryThing member pussreboots
A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny is one of two books I alternate with for Halloween / October reading. The other is Ray Bradbury's The Halloween Tree.
Zelazny's book, though short, can be read over the course of a month, as each chapter is a different date in the month. The narrator,
Part of his duty (and the duties of the other familiars) is to figure out who is in the game. It seems this year there is a new participant, as described by his familiar, a pack rat. But things aren't adding up and people are ending up dead (unusual, but not unheard of), and the things in the mirror are especially restless.
To add to the charm of this book are the illustrations by Gahan Wilson. Though the book is from the mid 1990s, Wilson's line drawings remind me of the sorts of things included in the pulp science fiction of the 1970s. That's probably because he was illustrating them back then! Anyway, it's a newish (does 20 years old count as newish?) horror story with a deliciously retro feel to it.
Zelazny's book, though short, can be read over the course of a month, as each chapter is a different date in the month. The narrator,
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a dog, outlines his duties in the game that comes on Halloween when conditions are correct. His master and the other players take sides as either openers or closers (those who want to open a portal of unthinkable evil, and those who want to make sure that doesn't happen).Part of his duty (and the duties of the other familiars) is to figure out who is in the game. It seems this year there is a new participant, as described by his familiar, a pack rat. But things aren't adding up and people are ending up dead (unusual, but not unheard of), and the things in the mirror are especially restless.
To add to the charm of this book are the illustrations by Gahan Wilson. Though the book is from the mid 1990s, Wilson's line drawings remind me of the sorts of things included in the pulp science fiction of the 1970s. That's probably because he was illustrating them back then! Anyway, it's a newish (does 20 years old count as newish?) horror story with a deliciously retro feel to it.
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LibraryThing member ForeverMasterless
It's October--the best month of the year. Halloween (the best holiday of the year) is just around the corner. The leaves are starting to fall, and the air has a pleasant bite to it. It's time to settle down with a slice of pumpkin pie, a mug of hot apple cider, and a good book. But what to read?
A small village outside of London in the Victorian era finds itself infested by strange characters. Sherlock Holmes and Watson, Dracula, Jack the Ripper, Doctor Frankenstein, etc. None of them are explicitly labeled (Holmes is 'the great detective' and Frankenstein is 'the good doctor'). Much more obscure references exist alongside the obvious ones. They are all part of "The Game"--a mysterious task in which they are all involved, some on one side, some on the other. All the players have sentient animal familiars. Jack's familiar, a large watchdog named Snuff, is our viewpoint character for the entirety of the novel. He helps his master carry out his occult duties while also roaming the neighborhood and trading information and favors with the other animal familiars in the area to try and figure out who all the players are and what side they're on.
The best thing about this book is how it withholds information. All the characters know what's going on, and what 'the game' is, because most of them have done it before. They're not going to go over the particulars just for the sake of the reader. You have to be patient and wait for the answer, all the while forming your own theories with what little information you do have. It's a very rewarding experience, and one that could have simply been frustrating and boring if done poorly. Luckily the moment to moment action, the dialogue, the atmosphere, and the prose are all good enough to carry you through, even though you can't possibly know what's going on until maybe halfway through.
I can't recommend this enough. It's definitely a book I'll be reading every year for Halloween.
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Perhaps you're reaching for something from Bradbury's oeuvre? Maybe The Halloween Tree or Something Wicked This Way Comes? Save those for next year, and read this instead. This is the great Halloween book that nobody talks about in the same breath as Bradbury, but in reality should be mentioned first. A small village outside of London in the Victorian era finds itself infested by strange characters. Sherlock Holmes and Watson, Dracula, Jack the Ripper, Doctor Frankenstein, etc. None of them are explicitly labeled (Holmes is 'the great detective' and Frankenstein is 'the good doctor'). Much more obscure references exist alongside the obvious ones. They are all part of "The Game"--a mysterious task in which they are all involved, some on one side, some on the other. All the players have sentient animal familiars. Jack's familiar, a large watchdog named Snuff, is our viewpoint character for the entirety of the novel. He helps his master carry out his occult duties while also roaming the neighborhood and trading information and favors with the other animal familiars in the area to try and figure out who all the players are and what side they're on.
The best thing about this book is how it withholds information. All the characters know what's going on, and what 'the game' is, because most of them have done it before. They're not going to go over the particulars just for the sake of the reader. You have to be patient and wait for the answer, all the while forming your own theories with what little information you do have. It's a very rewarding experience, and one that could have simply been frustrating and boring if done poorly. Luckily the moment to moment action, the dialogue, the atmosphere, and the prose are all good enough to carry you through, even though you can't possibly know what's going on until maybe halfway through.
I can't recommend this enough. It's definitely a book I'll be reading every year for Halloween.
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LibraryThing member lauriebrown54
Roger Zelazny- a favorite author of mine for his ‘Amber’ series and ‘Lord of Light’- has written a marvelous romp of a horror story. The large cast of characters includes figures from horror stories, Victorian mysteries, and vintage monster movies. You figure out who these folks are as you
Written from the POV of Snuff the dog, who is really the familiar of Jack; the tale has 31 chapters, one for each day of October. The characters have a countdown; on the 31 is a full moon, and a great magical working will take place. Some characters are Openers, who seek to open a portal for the Elder Gods to enter the world. Some, like Jack, are Closers, who seek to keep them out. Each has an animal familiar- Graymalk the cat, Bubo the rat, and so on.
Snuff is not just a guard dog; he’s a worker of magical mathematics. He seeks to find out where exactly the battle must take place; to figure it, he must know how many individuals will be there and whether they are Openers or Closers. He talks with the other familiars to see what they have seen and heard. And he tries to figure out who is murdering some of the contenders… killings that have not taken place before on any of the previous events.
Until the very end, the story takes its time, then it happens in a rush. In the beginning, there was a point where I was thinking “Where is this all going?!?” and then it started to make sense. It’s witty along with creepy and I really enjoyed it. The illustrations by Gahan Wilson (a rather morbid cartoonist) are nice, and I really love the cover illustration (not by Wilson) that shows most of the main characters. I heartily recommend this for reading in October to get in the Halloween mood!
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go along; a couple I never figured out. Apparently there is a large site on the web where people have discussed all this!Written from the POV of Snuff the dog, who is really the familiar of Jack; the tale has 31 chapters, one for each day of October. The characters have a countdown; on the 31 is a full moon, and a great magical working will take place. Some characters are Openers, who seek to open a portal for the Elder Gods to enter the world. Some, like Jack, are Closers, who seek to keep them out. Each has an animal familiar- Graymalk the cat, Bubo the rat, and so on.
Snuff is not just a guard dog; he’s a worker of magical mathematics. He seeks to find out where exactly the battle must take place; to figure it, he must know how many individuals will be there and whether they are Openers or Closers. He talks with the other familiars to see what they have seen and heard. And he tries to figure out who is murdering some of the contenders… killings that have not taken place before on any of the previous events.
Until the very end, the story takes its time, then it happens in a rush. In the beginning, there was a point where I was thinking “Where is this all going?!?” and then it started to make sense. It’s witty along with creepy and I really enjoyed it. The illustrations by Gahan Wilson (a rather morbid cartoonist) are nice, and I really love the cover illustration (not by Wilson) that shows most of the main characters. I heartily recommend this for reading in October to get in the Halloween mood!
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LibraryThing member elenchus
Came a piece of fiction to fit my reading mood, perfect pitch and sense of fun. Requested on impulse from library loan, perhaps the very day I first read of it, uncertain I would pick it up once it arrived, or if I did, that I'd pause from several books underway. Once begun, though, there was no
Zelazny's tale is at once a pastiche of Hallowe'en icons across a variety of traditions (cinema, horror fiction, supernatural folklore & myth) and a genre mashup of detective yarn / whodunnit / sword & sorcery quest. The prose is serious, the tone is arch, and Zelazny's very much taking the reader for a ride. Yet the result is anything but throwaway, more like the pleasure of a good pop lyric and how marvelously it does what you knew it would do all along.
The story is best enjoyed as revealed on the page, I'll note no details here. I will state, however, that having turned the final page, I was motivated to research the hinted allusions and figure the rules. Though the tale is simple at heart, like an elegant game the premise affords a multitude of outcomes, and it's not clear how the pieces will fall nor who will triumph. Atop all this, it is a tale cleverly told, both in structure and in the elegance of individual lines, so there are layers to be enjoyed.
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I picked up Zelazny's A Night In The Lonesome October at the same time as Bradbury's The Halloween Tree, almost wondering which of these two books would best fit my impulse for a Hallowe'en read. Intriguingly, I'd not heard of either title before they were mentioned, together, and though clearly different novels they were each warmly recommended in their own way. I was somewhat surprised that Zelazny's ended up impressing me more. For me, an oddly poignant reminder that a text will have its individual experience for every new reader, no matter how similar or sympathetic the interests or backgrounds those readers may share.
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going back. Zelazny's tale is at once a pastiche of Hallowe'en icons across a variety of traditions (cinema, horror fiction, supernatural folklore & myth) and a genre mashup of detective yarn / whodunnit / sword & sorcery quest. The prose is serious, the tone is arch, and Zelazny's very much taking the reader for a ride. Yet the result is anything but throwaway, more like the pleasure of a good pop lyric and how marvelously it does what you knew it would do all along.
The story is best enjoyed as revealed on the page, I'll note no details here. I will state, however, that having turned the final page, I was motivated to research the hinted allusions and figure the rules. Though the tale is simple at heart, like an elegant game the premise affords a multitude of outcomes, and it's not clear how the pieces will fall nor who will triumph. Atop all this, it is a tale cleverly told, both in structure and in the elegance of individual lines, so there are layers to be enjoyed.
//
I picked up Zelazny's A Night In The Lonesome October at the same time as Bradbury's The Halloween Tree, almost wondering which of these two books would best fit my impulse for a Hallowe'en read. Intriguingly, I'd not heard of either title before they were mentioned, together, and though clearly different novels they were each warmly recommended in their own way. I was somewhat surprised that Zelazny's ended up impressing me more. For me, an oddly poignant reminder that a text will have its individual experience for every new reader, no matter how similar or sympathetic the interests or backgrounds those readers may share.
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LibraryThing member Al-G
I've got to give this one five stars!! It is so good - I love Zelazny's writing anyway but he spins such a wonderful fall yarn around Halloween - it is a delightful read! Zelazny creates a story that pulls in all the usual suspects of horrordom: Jack (presumably the Ripper), Frankenstein and his
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monster, the Count (Dracula?), Rastov, Jill the witch and all their familiars playing a 'game' that could change the world. But along with them there is the Great Detective and a werewolf and a vicar who isn't what he appears to be. Add some gypsys and a few red herrings for good measure. The animal familiars of each of the players talks and has a part in the great game and the entire story is told by Scruff, Jack's dog. The story is twisted, mysterious, and he puts just enough plot twists and tension to keep the pages turning, all written in typical Roger Zelazny style. BTW: the chapters are broken into the days of the month and the whole story culminates of a full moon Halloween. If you liked the Amber novels, Zelazny, or if you are a fan of Halloween you will love this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member eldang
A fun read, especially when actually following the chapter guideline of one per day through the month of October, with the story getting darker and weirder as the days get shorter.
LibraryThing member arthistorychick
Purchased: 5 stars/5 stars
I realize I am likely the last person on earth to read (and review) Roger Zelazny’s A Night in the Lonesome October but I am damn glad I finally read it! This book came to me as a recommendation from a well-read friend and I won’t lie, I was a bit afraid I just
Nearly all of Lonesome October is told from the perspective of animals, a device I have been absolutely partial too since first reading Christopher Moore’s The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove. Among the animals are Snuff the dog, Graymalk the cat, Needle the bat, and Nightwing the owl; each of the animals are companions to the Players in the Game. Among the Players are Jack, the Mad Monk, the Count, the Good Doctor, and the Great Detective. One quickly figures out that yes, all of these characters are exactly who you think they are and it makes the read so much more fun.
Each of the animals has his/her own unique voice and personality; the reader is able to connect with these characters just as they would any human character. The interactions between the animals are brilliantly conceived; each animal is, for all intents and purposes, just as much a part of the Game as their human companions. In fact, much of the Game is set up and determined by the animals themselves who barter and bargain with one another for information that will help their companion win the Game. One of the book’s pure highlights is the animal to animal interactions: the animals are strong characters with intelligence, cunning, humor, and loyalty and every characteristic plays out throughout the novel!
While the reader is left mostly in the dark about what the Game actually is, the reader doesn’t care. The book moves swiftly, the dialogue is very well written and witty, and there is so much going on that the particulars of the Game don’t really matter until the end. And the end, dear reader, is when you need to know the particulars of the Game. While the Game, and by extension, the ending could have been long and drawn out, Zelazny doesn’t dawdle. Everyone, including the completely involved reader, comes together in the last chapter to play out the Game. If you’re not rooting for your “team” at this point, you need to start from the beginning and read the book again!
Bottom line: I adore this book! Zelazny plays to one of my greatest loves in books, giving the animals their own voice. Why shouldn’t the animals talk or tell the story? After all, the animals are always present and paying attention (Side note: it would probably suck for me if my animals ever grew a “real” voice and started talking) From a technical perspective everything about this book is excellent as well: the writing style is smooth, the dialogue is top-notch, and the action moves swiftly and smooth straight through from start to finish. As for whom I would recommend this book too: any adult or mature young adult with a love of the paranormal, animals, and a sense of humor! Happy reading :)
I realize I am likely the last person on earth to read (and review) Roger Zelazny’s A Night in the Lonesome October but I am damn glad I finally read it! This book came to me as a recommendation from a well-read friend and I won’t lie, I was a bit afraid I just
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wouldn’t “get” this book. Quite to my delight, not only did I get this book but I loved it, devoured it, and am fairly certain I will read it again and again.Nearly all of Lonesome October is told from the perspective of animals, a device I have been absolutely partial too since first reading Christopher Moore’s The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove. Among the animals are Snuff the dog, Graymalk the cat, Needle the bat, and Nightwing the owl; each of the animals are companions to the Players in the Game. Among the Players are Jack, the Mad Monk, the Count, the Good Doctor, and the Great Detective. One quickly figures out that yes, all of these characters are exactly who you think they are and it makes the read so much more fun.
Each of the animals has his/her own unique voice and personality; the reader is able to connect with these characters just as they would any human character. The interactions between the animals are brilliantly conceived; each animal is, for all intents and purposes, just as much a part of the Game as their human companions. In fact, much of the Game is set up and determined by the animals themselves who barter and bargain with one another for information that will help their companion win the Game. One of the book’s pure highlights is the animal to animal interactions: the animals are strong characters with intelligence, cunning, humor, and loyalty and every characteristic plays out throughout the novel!
While the reader is left mostly in the dark about what the Game actually is, the reader doesn’t care. The book moves swiftly, the dialogue is very well written and witty, and there is so much going on that the particulars of the Game don’t really matter until the end. And the end, dear reader, is when you need to know the particulars of the Game. While the Game, and by extension, the ending could have been long and drawn out, Zelazny doesn’t dawdle. Everyone, including the completely involved reader, comes together in the last chapter to play out the Game. If you’re not rooting for your “team” at this point, you need to start from the beginning and read the book again!
Bottom line: I adore this book! Zelazny plays to one of my greatest loves in books, giving the animals their own voice. Why shouldn’t the animals talk or tell the story? After all, the animals are always present and paying attention (Side note: it would probably suck for me if my animals ever grew a “real” voice and started talking) From a technical perspective everything about this book is excellent as well: the writing style is smooth, the dialogue is top-notch, and the action moves swiftly and smooth straight through from start to finish. As for whom I would recommend this book too: any adult or mature young adult with a love of the paranormal, animals, and a sense of humor! Happy reading :)
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LibraryThing member RandyStafford
Yes, we have a book nicely segmented into 31 chapters so you can read it, as so many people do, a chapter a day in October.
Yes, it’s narrated by a dog. Not just any dog — Jack the Ripper’s dog.
Yes, Frankenstein and his walking lab project and Dracula show up. Larry Talbot the Wolfman does
There’s a witch, a Russian monk, a bit of Yog-Sothethery. You can throw in Gypsies, grave robbers, and a vicar too.
Sherlock Holmes and Watson even show up though here only known as the Great Detective and his sidekick.
Most of those characters, except Holmes and Watson, have animal familiars who often talk to each other — which I found the most amusing part of the book.
And most of the characters are jostling for position (figuratively and literally) to make the best of the magical rite on October 31st — at least the Halloweens with a full moon. There are two camps — the openers and the closers. One camp wants to open a dimensional door so the Elder Gods can come through. The others want to keep it closed.
The whole thing is referred to as the “Game” which put me in mind the Great Game, the covert conflict between the Russian and British Empires in the 19th century, and a spy novel in general. The characters mostly know who the other actors in the Game are. They spend a lot of time determining if their fellows are openers or closers, allies or enemies, possible allies or enemies. It’s like a spy story where characters urbanely try to discover identities and incite defections. And, like a spy story, things get violent on occasion.
It’s a quick read with many Gahan Wilson illustrations, and I didn’t dislike it. I just didn’t get the enjoyment the book’s reputation led me to expect. A novel story told in a novel way but, ultimately, kind out of phase with my emotional wavelength.
Yes, it’s narrated by a dog. Not just any dog — Jack the Ripper’s dog.
Yes, Frankenstein and his walking lab project and Dracula show up. Larry Talbot the Wolfman does
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too.There’s a witch, a Russian monk, a bit of Yog-Sothethery. You can throw in Gypsies, grave robbers, and a vicar too.
Sherlock Holmes and Watson even show up though here only known as the Great Detective and his sidekick.
Most of those characters, except Holmes and Watson, have animal familiars who often talk to each other — which I found the most amusing part of the book.
And most of the characters are jostling for position (figuratively and literally) to make the best of the magical rite on October 31st — at least the Halloweens with a full moon. There are two camps — the openers and the closers. One camp wants to open a dimensional door so the Elder Gods can come through. The others want to keep it closed.
The whole thing is referred to as the “Game” which put me in mind the Great Game, the covert conflict between the Russian and British Empires in the 19th century, and a spy novel in general. The characters mostly know who the other actors in the Game are. They spend a lot of time determining if their fellows are openers or closers, allies or enemies, possible allies or enemies. It’s like a spy story where characters urbanely try to discover identities and incite defections. And, like a spy story, things get violent on occasion.
It’s a quick read with many Gahan Wilson illustrations, and I didn’t dislike it. I just didn’t get the enjoyment the book’s reputation led me to expect. A novel story told in a novel way but, ultimately, kind out of phase with my emotional wavelength.
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LibraryThing member EllsbethB
This story seemed a bit odd at first, but once it gets rolling, it is an intriguing tale. I rather enjoyed it and I plan to read more by Zelazny.
LibraryThing member turtlesleap
Not my favorite from Zelazny
LibraryThing member ScoLgo
A fun Halloween read. Nothing too heavy - just the end of humanity if the door holding back the elder gods is opened at the death of the moon on All Hallows Eve! The game is afoot and the fate of the world hangs in the balance! It's up to a dog named Snuff to help his master Jack, (who is good with
Whew! That's a lot of stuff to figure out in only one short month! Luckily, Snuff has a talent for math and cartography. He is also good at creating temporary alliances with other familiars who might be able to help him get to the bottom of a myriad of mysteries. He'd better hurry though because The Great Detective and his sidekick are also on the case.
This is another great first-person narrative from Zelazny. He was an absolute master of the form and here he doles out the pieces at a perfect pace via the diary entries of Snuff the dog. There is great dialogue, mysterious happenings, clever character allusions, and plenty of that wry Zelazny humor that is his hallmark. A very enjoyable October read.
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knives), figure out not only the identities of all the other players, but also which side they are on and also the location of the afore-mentioned metaphysical door.Whew! That's a lot of stuff to figure out in only one short month! Luckily, Snuff has a talent for math and cartography. He is also good at creating temporary alliances with other familiars who might be able to help him get to the bottom of a myriad of mysteries. He'd better hurry though because The Great Detective and his sidekick are also on the case.
This is another great first-person narrative from Zelazny. He was an absolute master of the form and here he doles out the pieces at a perfect pace via the diary entries of Snuff the dog. There is great dialogue, mysterious happenings, clever character allusions, and plenty of that wry Zelazny humor that is his hallmark. A very enjoyable October read.
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LibraryThing member PghDragonMan
It has been a long time since I’ve read any of Roger Zelazny’s works. He was always a masterful story teller, and this work is an excellent example of his ability to hook you into a story and even though the ending is a cheesy punchline to a literary joke, the journey was so enjoyable, you
Who else could successfully combine The Wolfman, Jack the Ripper, Sherlock Holmes and Jill, yes, that Jill, plus a host of otherworldly characters along with their familiars and sidekicks into a Cthulhu Mythos story? Not only that, but it all works well.
This is not to say the story is perfect. At times, it is a little too hokey and hard to take. Think of it as high camp and you are OK with the idea again. Altogether, this makes for an enjoyable interlude between serious reads, sort of a mental intermezzo. A well-deserved three and a half stars for A Night in the Lonesome October.
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forgive all the subterfuge that went into it.Who else could successfully combine The Wolfman, Jack the Ripper, Sherlock Holmes and Jill, yes, that Jill, plus a host of otherworldly characters along with their familiars and sidekicks into a Cthulhu Mythos story? Not only that, but it all works well.
This is not to say the story is perfect. At times, it is a little too hokey and hard to take. Think of it as high camp and you are OK with the idea again. Altogether, this makes for an enjoyable interlude between serious reads, sort of a mental intermezzo. A well-deserved three and a half stars for A Night in the Lonesome October.
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LibraryThing member wjohnston
This is a Zelazny book I've owned forever but never picked up. Was finally inspired to read it this October, and it was not at all what I expected. (For some reason, I thought it was a series of stories.)
Zelazny takes some disparate elements (Jack the Ripper, Sherlock Holmes, the 'classic' movie
I don't know that it ranks up there with his best work, but it's fun, and I enjoyed trying to figure things out from the hints he drops along the way. I'm sorry it took me this long to get around to it, but I suspect I'll pick it up again next October.
Zelazny takes some disparate elements (Jack the Ripper, Sherlock Holmes, the 'classic' movie
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monsters, and Lovecraft's Elder Gods) and weaves them together into this, the final solo novel he published before his death. I don't know that it ranks up there with his best work, but it's fun, and I enjoyed trying to figure things out from the hints he drops along the way. I'm sorry it took me this long to get around to it, but I suspect I'll pick it up again next October.
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LibraryThing member SunnySD
As All Hallow's Eve draws closer Snuff has a lot on his plate. Keeping track of his master, Jack, and staying abreast of all the players in the Game for a start, not to mention making the rounds to ensure that the Things (in the Mirror, in the Circle, in the Attic...) stay locked up tight - Snuff
Who's a friend and who's an enemy might not always be clear, but Zelazny's weavings tie together numerous famous and infamous folks in clever fashion.
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is one busy pup!Who's a friend and who's an enemy might not always be clear, but Zelazny's weavings tie together numerous famous and infamous folks in clever fashion.
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Subjects
Awards
Nebula Award (Nominee — Novel — 1994)
Italia Award (Winner — 2021)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1993-08
Physical description
288 p.; 8.25 inches
ISBN
1556525605 / 9781556525605