A Night in the Lonesome October

A Night in the Lonesome October

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4.24 of 5 stars 4.24  ·  rating details  ·  2,090 ratings  ·  253 reviews
Snuff, a guard dog who performs thaumaturgical calculations, accompanies his master, Jack, on collecting expeditions into the Whitechapel slums of nineteenth-century London.

Zelazny manages to cleverly combine Jack (the Ripper), Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Frankenstein, and Dracula together with witches, werewolves, druids and many others in this amusing tale of an approaching con...more
Mass Market Paperback, 280 pages
Published September 1st 1994 by Avon Books (first published August 1993)
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Lord of Light by Roger ZelaznyThe Great Book of Amber by Roger ZelaznyNine Princes in Amber by Roger ZelaznyA Night in the Lonesome October by Roger ZelaznyCreatures of Light and Darkness by Roger Zelazny
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Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)
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Carol
Sep 21, 2012 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: genre-defiers, October fans
Shelves: awards, classic, fantasy
Zelazny is a genius... although I have a sneaking suspicion his genius may be drug related. Where else would you come up with the idea of telling a Victorian mystery-humor-horror story from the point of view of a dog?

The first clue of the kind of upcoming weirdness comes from the dedication, which is to Shelley, Poe, Stoker, Doyle, Lovecraft, Bradbury, Bloch, and Terhune (dog breeder and writer). That means not only does the cast of characters include the watchdog Snuff, and his master, Jack, a...more
Jim
An entertaining, interesting story on the face, the understory is even better. Zelazny's sheer number of allusions and amount of sources truly make it a lunatic scavenger hunt that lead to research in some very dark & dusty corners of history, film, myth, & writing.

2012: Re-reading yet again with the Beyond Reality group.
By Day: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
Cover & other Art: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
Both of these topics contain spoilers.

I'm armed with 20 p...more
Chris
Oct 30, 2011 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition
Recommended to Chris by: Jim
A very enjoyable read from Roger Zelazny, consistent with other material I've read by him.

The tone is light, although the subject matter is grim. It seems that on Halloween night, unimaginable horrors will attempt to enter this world. A gathering of powers has come together, some to hold it back, and some to try to help it along.

Throughout the month, these opposing forces are playing a game of positioning, alliances, and grabs for talismans to help their cause or hinder the opposition.

The story...more
Dan Schwent
A Night in the Lonesome October is about a gateway to a dimension of Lovecraftian horrors and the two opposing forces dedicated to opening the gate or making sure it stays closed. The story is told from the point of view of Jack the Ripper's dog Snuff. Yeah, you read that right.

I was hooked right away, around the time Snuff and the graveyard dog had a funny conversation and asked to see one another's teeth. One of the characters calls The Game, as it is known, a lunatic scavenger hunt. That's pr...more
Jim
Oct2011: I made up a set of notes this year from discussions over the past couple of years in the Roger Zelazny group here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

This year we discussed the cover art & I even traded some emails with James Warhola. Hopefully he'll remember to look up his notes & fill me in on who is who. While some of the characters are obvious, several are not. Here's the full picture, much of which is cut out on the cover:
http://www.full-wallpaper.com/affiche...

As alway...more
Becky
This was my second attempt at reading Zelazny, and although I enjoyed this one more than the last one, I am beginning to think that Zelazny's style just doesn't agree with me.

The best way that I can think to describe it is that I feel like I'm seeing the events of the story out of the corner of my eye, that I can never quite get the full picture. We're given hints, references to puzzle out, dialogue that both reveals and obscures, and a narration that is restrained and secretive. Everything is...more
Alazzar
[Originally read May 1-May 2, 2010.]

I'll start by saying that I came upon this book largely by accident, and it turned out to be one of the greatest accidents of my life -- WAY better than that time I soiled myself on stage during my first-grade performance of the Nativity story ("Three wise men?" More like "Two wise men and their dumpy friend with no control over his bladder").

Anyway, I'd gotten on ye olde Internet before heading to the library so I could figure out what they had checked in th...more
Brooke
I'm not sure how to describe this book, although the phrase "a fun romp" pops into my head. I'm not sure why, since I'd never use "a fun romp" in a verbal conversation, but I can't think of anything more appropriate. The story starts off vague as we follow a dog through the days of October as his companion, Jack the Ripper, participates in a sort of scavenger hunt for reasons not revealed until much later. Dracula, Dr. Frankenstein, the Wolfman, and other classic horror creatures join in as well...more
Felina
I really enjoyed this book. I think I'll try to pick it up every October. Maybe this year I'll read the books that are referenced so its more of an enlightened experience next year. I do think I would rate it higher if I saw all the references.
Amy Sturgis
While this would be ideal reading for October, I'm glad I didn't wait until then to read it. This book has been recommended to me several times, and I now understand why. It's a perfect storm of Lovecraftian Victoriana: figures such as Jack the Ripper, Count Dracula, the Wolfman, Victor Frankenstein, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, and other identifiable "types" (a mad monk, a witch, a druid, occultists, etc.), most with animal familiars, draw together to either open or close the door that will...more
Colleen
I read this in group, and we did a chapter a day, to keep with the sort of diary format of the story. I got behind a few times and had to catch up, but, for the most part, I kept with the chapter a day style.

It was fun, especially in the beginning, to see the Players being introduced, and catching the various historical and fictional allusions. And then to see the characters various interactions, and learn who was on which side for the Game - the attempt to open or keep closed to Gates for the O...more
Abby
This is possibly the most fun book I have ever read. I enjoyed every minute of it and I re-read it frequently. I think most anyone with an appreciation for literature will enjoy Zelazny's delightful puns and amusing literary jokes and references.
It's good fantasy and great fun.
Also, I should add that I cannot tolerate any of Zelazny's other works because of his overwhelming sexism, even though he is most definitely a brilliant storyteller of terrific wit and humor. (Or was, I should say, since...more
Kathryn
Oct 27, 2008 Kathryn added it
Shelves: stalled
Well, Tyler and I *tried* to read this. We got about thirty pages into it yet could not get INTO it. I'm not sure why... I think simply because it was really hard to tell where it was going and what was meant to be happening. Also, the doggie narrator was a bit odd; I kind of liked him, but still, the style was mostly dialogue and I just couldn't get that excited about it. (The possibility of gross Halloween-y things happening on every other page could have been a bit of a damper for me, too...)...more
Jon
Sep 21, 2008 Jon rated it 3 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition
Recommended to Jon by: SciFi and Fantasy Book Club October Theme Book
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Petya
My favourite Zelazny book. Light, easy to read, witty.

It's a journal of Jack Reaper's dog Sniff. It's actually told from the point of view of a dog :)
In the book you meet a lot of different characters you already know from fantasy, history and detective stories - Jack Reaper, Dracula, Frankenstein, Rasputin, Sherlock Holmes, a witch, a gnome and so on. Each character has an animal companion.

The plot - every few decades the night of Halloween has a full moon and then the fabric of reality thins...more
Kay
I never managed to get through any other Zelazny novels (serial books are really not my thing), but I was quite pleasantly surprised by this droll tale, whose central character is a dog, Snuff. No ordinary dog, this. Not only is Snuff preternaturally intelligent, his master is none other than Jack the Ripper. Oh, and Jack is no mere unhinged murderer -- he's a sorcerer. All sorts of magical forces are at work, and there's a riotous assembly of characters -- everyone from Sherlock Holmes to a wer...more
Kristjan
Sep 29, 2008 Kristjan rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Gothic Fantasy Fans
Recommended to Kristjan by: GR Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club
Selected as the Theme of the Month for the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club, I really didn't think that I would like this book much and was mentally prepared to put it aside; fortunately, it was short and actually quite fun (that pleasant surprise was worth an extra star here). Although the story brings together many of the Victorian horror villains (similar to "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"), the true protagonists were really their animal companions as they 'traded' clues about this ultimate g...more
Mark
This books starts out in such a lightweight tone (Hi - I'm Snuff - I'm a watchdog - I fetch things for my master.) that it always surprises me as it gains depth and momentum. The story is told one day at a time, Oct 1 1887 to Oct 31, as a series of familiar occult characters prepare to contest whether to open the gates to the Ancient Ones or keep the world like it is. The characters (the Count, the Good Doctor, the Mad Monk, etc) all have intelligent animal partners to aide them. The story is to...more
M.D.
With wonderful illustrations by Gahan Wilson. A wonderful, humorous set of 31 chapters linked together by an upcoming full-moon Halloween night where the way may open for the return of the Elder Gods to Earth.

Snuff, the narrator of the story and a dog, guides us through each day where we meet a slew of strange characters (the Count, Rastov, the Good Doctor, the Great Detective) bent upon intrigue and mayhem. The human characters take a back seat to the voices of their familiars.

Zelazny has given...more
John Blackport
I read this book at least ten years ago, but it still stays with me. I love it because it takes a bunch of characters (and plot elements) that are familiar to very, very many readers --- and so darn MANY of them that if anyone said they were going to write a story that contained all that stuff, it would induce universal (and well-deserved) eyerolls.

And well, lucky for us . . . Zelazny isn't just anyone.

The excessive familiarity of so many well-worn characters is balanced by an unusual narrative...more
Jessica
A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny is a strange, funny, gently spooky fantasy/horror/mystery novel, perfect for Halloween reading.

Narrated by Snuff, Jack the Ripper's dog, the tale focuses on the struggle between Openers and Closers for the fate of the world. Quite what they are opening and closing is not apparent at first, only that the results of the struggle could be catastrophic. Each opener or closer has an animal familiars, and there are ever-shifting alliances between the hu...more
David
This was one totally weird book. I'd had it on my shelf for a long time, but a recent gaming podcast mentioned that it was October and the perfect time for one of the hosts to re-read "A night in the Lonesome October." When I finished a book, I reached for this one. It was definitely an experience, but I don't think it was my kind of thing.

First, it was filled to the brim with eerie monsters and characters from horror movies, horror literature, etc. Larry Talbot, a.k.a. The Wolfman, plays a pivo...more
Arthistorychick
Purchased: 5 stars/5 stars

I realize that 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. I won’t lie; I was a bit afraid I just wouldn’t “get” this book. Quite to my delight, not only did I get this book, but I also loved it, devoured it, and am fairly certain I will read it again and again.

Nearly all of Lonesome October is told from t...more
James Bojaciuk
Once in every thousand so oftens, an utterly magical book comes along to captivate you.

Oh, yes, the plot certainly sounds sily; oh, yes, at first glance its going to sound impossible for anyone without a PHD in Victorian Literature to even begin to enjoy. But, when you plunge yourself into the madness, it makes perfect sense. Jack the Ripper's talking dog is endearing; the true identities of the assembled characters are bonuses for lovers of old literature--even if, God forbid that such a person...more
Susan
This book was published in 1993 and it seems as if it was before it's time,
in that it would have fit in perfectly with the sweep of affection for the magical/fantastical fiction that began with the Harry Potter series.

Actually, I think this book would make a perfect Disney movie. The main character being a dog
named Snuff who along with a cat named Graymalk assist their masters in opening/closing a door
between the old gods and the world as we know it. There's even a hint of romance between their
m...more
Христо Блажев
"Една нощ през самотния октомври" на Зелазни чертае магична шахматна битка
http://www.knigolandia.info/2011/03/b...

Тази книга ми попадна благодарение на чудесно й ревю в един от класическите книжни блогове – “Палатков лагер за пингвини”.

За мен тя бе като странна шахматна игра с мноооого особени правила. Имаме два лагера, които имат срещуположна цел – да осигурят/осуетят появата на проход, през който древни богове ще се завърнат с не много чисти цели на Земята (хм, май е ясно отде е взимал Ланд...more
Gabe Dybing
I know Nick is going to berate me for this rating (yep, I see it), but, really, yeah, it was "cute."

"Cute" alone isn't a deal-breaker, but there also wasn't a lot of emotional depth. This is probably because the narration is from the perspective of a dog. Moreover, the action in this novel consists of animals "making their rounds" and "talking to other animals."

"Notice anything interesting today?"

"Nope."

Or.

"Yep."

"Let's go check it out. Oh, I see a mad scientist has moved in today."

"I wonder if h...more
Faire Faimallo
I always liked Zelazny's Amber and few other books I have read so having opportunity to read another book by him, I didn't hesitate. The story line is light, fast-paced and addictive - I finished the book in one evening, unable to stop before seeing the end. The story itself is set in old good London, in the times when fog was thick and Jack Ripper on loose. Zelazny is using several rather famous characters and themes, from cult of Cthulu to Dr. Frankenstein, twists them a bit and merges them in...more
M.T. Murphy
In the spring of 1995, my girlfriend (now my wife) and I had just finished watching a movie and stopped at the Books-a-Million next to the theatre. In the bargain aisle, a thin hardback book caught my eye. The cover had a curious scene with Count Dracula having a conversation with Sherlock Holmes while petting an old hound dog. In the background, Frankenstein’s monster fumbled around as Rasputin sat locked in passionate conversation with an attractive, raven-haired witch.

The old saying suggests...more
Robin
A friend of mine lent me this, which has been on my to-read list for a couple of years now. Both she and Neil Gaiman were right--this is a clever little book, just the right blend of lightweight and "OMG DID YOU SEE WHAT HE JUST DID THERE???"

This book is such a delight--a pastiche of Victorian & gothic horror conventions, loosely strung together by a plot straight out of Lovecraft and narrated by Jack the Ripper's dog, Snuff. What's not to love? The book starts out deceptively simple--almost...more
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Beyond Reality: Lonesome October - Finished! 19 36 Dec 30, 2012 10:29pm  
Beyond Reality: Lonesome October - By the Day 149 65 Oct 31, 2012 05:22pm  
Beyond Reality: Lonesome October Artwork; Cover & Chapter 38 95 Oct 31, 2012 07:29am  
A Night in the Lonesome October (Hardcover)
A Night In The Lonesome October (Paperback)
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Roger Zelazny made his name with a group of novellas which demonstrated just how intense an emotional charge could be generated by the stock imagery of sf; the most famous of these is 'A Rose for Ecclesiastes' in which a poet struggles to convince dying and sterile Martians that life is worth continuing. Zelazny continued to write excellent short stories throughout his career, which share the inve...more
More about Roger Zelazny...
Nine Princes in Amber (Amber Chronicles, #1) The Great Book of Amber (Chronicles of Amber, #1-10) Lord of Light The Courts of Chaos (Amber Chronicles, #5) The Guns of Avalon (Amber Chronicles, #2)

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times are rare, such times are fleeting, but always bright when caught, measured, hung, and later regarded
in times of adversity, there in the kinder halls of memory, against the flapping of the flames.”
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