Two Envelopes And A Phone’s Reviews > The Stray Lamb > Status Update

Yeah, this is emerging as my favourite Thorne Smith novel. And I always liked the covers on these Del Rey Fantasy Classics editions - The art by Norman Walker on all of them, plus the design. Actually, I only ever owned Turnabout, Topper, and this one, as these lovely editions, but it looks like the whole line, back around 1980, was eye-catching. Anyway, Mr. Lamb keeps changing into different animals, usually happy.

Okay! I think this has a good chance of being my favourite Thorne Smith novel. I don’t dislike his stuff; I liked Topper, Turnabout, and especially Rain in the Doorway. I mean, Wodehouse has kind of ruined all other humourists for me - a lot of authors seem cutesy and dashed-off. I do like the Fantasy elements of these Thorne Smith things; that’s all cool, and zany. Wodehouse only has a few Fantasy novels and tales.

Thorne Smith wrote playful, humorous Fantasies, that launch from terrific premises. They are a bit out of date, in predictable ways - The Stray Lamb is from 1929 - and I haven't rated one above 3 stars yet, but I'm always willing to try another Thorne Smith. A man named Lamb is about to experience life as several animals...can Smith get a higher rating out of me for this? We'll see. This will not be Lady Into Fox...