October 2026 Fiction Group Read --A Night in the Lonesome October, by Roger Zelazny > Likes and Comments

This is the thread where we'll discuss our October Fiction Group Read, A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny. We'll officially start this read/discussion on Oct. 1.

This read begins today! I'll plan to post a more informative introductory comment this evening.

Born in Ohio in 1937, 20th-century American speculative fiction writer Roger Zelazny was very acclaimed in his lifetime, winning the prestigious Hugo and Nebula Awards no less than six and three times, respectively (though none of them for this book). He had graduated from Case Western Reserve Univ. in 1959, majoring in English, and earned his M.A. from Columbia Univ. in 1962, after which he worked for the Social Security Administration until he could become a full-time writer in 1969.

Published in 1993, two years before he died, A Night in the Lonesome October was Zelazny's last novel, and one of his personal favorites. Set in late Victorian England and counting down through the month of October (the year isn't stated), its viewpoint character is a dog, Snuff, who belongs to "Jack." It's a spin-off tale from H. P. Lovecraft's "Cthulhu Mythos," and incorporates a good deal of literary allusion. (I haven't read it myself, but I'll be following this thread with great interest!)

I've read some of Lovecraft and love the idea of having literary allusions inside of a novel. Seems like a fun one to read as we head towards Halloween. I'm in for this one, and will start in a few days.

Franky wrote: "I've read some of Lovecraft and love the idea of having literary allusions inside of a novel. Seems like a fun one to read as we head towards Halloween. I'm in for this one, and will start in a few..."

I'd join in this one if I didn't have some other reading in hand! Everyone, be sure to use spoiler tags in your comments where they're appropriate (I may read this book at a future date, and of course others might as well).

I am going to try this one. Not at all sure that I will like it. But, I usually like stories from the dog's point of view. And vampire stories.

My assumption was that We are to read each chapter by each day?! So I have completed 3rd October just now!? I am guessing this is the "trick"?!..

Timothy wrote: "My assumption was that We are to read each chapter by each day?! "

Timothy, good question! The book's 31 dated-chapter format (plus a prologue) deliberately lends itself to that schedule, we do happen to be reading it in October, and many fans read it that way. So you could do that, and it might add to the fun; but you don't necessarily have to. Hope that helps!

Werner wrote: "Timothy wrote: "My assumption was that We are to read each chapter by each day?! "

Timothy, good question! The book's 31 dated-chapter format (plus a prologue) deliberately lends itself to that sc..."

Well you said it?! "add to the fun", right?!

Right! :-)

I'm up to October 6th and I'm liking the flow of the novel, even though it seems very ambiguous and hard to pinpoint right now and trying to figure out where this is headed. There's a little bit of witty tone by our narrator, Snuff.

I'm up to October 6th too. I did not expect all these animals to be talking. I like it. It seems like it is going to be a light, fun read.

I like that there IS some "humour" to all this "darkness"! I have now (obviously) completed October 05th!!