A Night in the Lonesome October

A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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 is told by Snuff, the trusty dog of Jack the Ripper. He interacts with other players in the game, and the animal companions of these players. We get cameo appearances from major characters of horror stories written in the 1800's, or from movies about stories in that era.

This came out as a nice mix of horror and comedy, intrigue and mystery, and a puzzle for the reader to pick up on all the outside references.

The chapters are broken down to 31, one for each day of October. I read this one chapter a day for the month, along with some good friends, to experience the story as Snuff pretty much lived it.

I think this is one that could be read again, perhaps as early as next October, when the weather is changing, it's getting dark earlier, and there is a crispness in the air. It's a perfect mood book for the season, and I think there are little tidbits that will be picked up in subsequent readings.

We'll see. Watch for an update in October of 2011.



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