Jack the Ripper meets Dracula, Dr. Frankenstein, Sherlock Holmes, and a menagerie of exotic characters in Roger Zelazny’s screwball Halloween novel, A Night in the Lonesome October. Each chapter is a day in October leading up to the Big Day. The novel is narrated by Snuff, a guard dog who can perform complex Thaumaturgical calculations in his head. Snuff’s duties also include keeping an eye on the various Things that are trapped in mirrors, wardrobes, and steamer trunks who are constantly trying to escape.
Snuff’s master, Jack, possesses a magical blade and a mission to stop the confluence of Powers who plan a cosmic event on Halloween.
I know some people who read A Night in the Lonesome October (as well as Neil Gaiman’s “Only the End of the World Again) every year in the run-up to Halloween.
And don’t forget Gahan Wilson’s funny and creepy illustrations! A Night in the Lonesome October will dazzle you and delight you! Do you have a favorite Halloween story or book? GRADE: A
Love this book .My favorite Zelazny book. My favorite Halloween story is Ray Bradbury’s The October Game.
Steve, once again, I have to complement you on your excellent taste! Love Bradbury’s “The October Game.” I love A NIGHT IN THE LONESOME OCTOBER with Zelaszny’s wit and Wilson’s unique artwork!
I spend October reading scary books and watching old monster movies. The winner this year was TALES OF LOVE AND HORROR (Ballantine, 1961) edited by Don Congdon
Dan, I might have a copy of TALES OF LOVE AND HORROR around here somewhere. I bought and read a lot of Ballantine books around the Sixties.
Not Halloween per se but the work of Shirley Jackson rates high with me.
Patti, Shirley Jackson captured the sense of horror in many of her compelling works.
Wow, I have never heard of this and it sounds batshit crazy wonderful. Having Gahan Wilaon onboard only makes it more intriguing so I’ll have to keep my open for it. I’m a huge Wilson fan and strongly recommend his brilliant collection of childhood-themed cartoons, “Nuts,” to any fan of “A Christmas Story” and the work of Jean Shepherd (though, of course, Wilson’s view of childhood is much darker).
As far as favorite Halloween books, I’d go with Groff Conklin’s “The Graveyard Reader” anthology and M.R. James’s “Collected Ghost Stories” while Ray Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes” is a sentimental favorite.
Byron, I love NUTS, too! I’ve been a fan of Conklin’s THE GRAVESIDE READER for decades. I’ve read some M. R. James ghost stories, but not all of them. Some people consider SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES Bradbury’s best work.
So happy to read you love “Nuts!” I discovered the Conklin in a used bookstore 30 years ago and treasure it. I literally reread it to shreds and had to buy a replacement copy last year. I do think that “Something Wicked-” is Bradbury’s best work despite a weak climax and ending. It’s a pity neither Gene Kelly or John Huston got to film it. Both wanted to do so desperately. There’s a pretty good 1968 film adaptation of James’ “Whistle and I’ll Come to You Lad” on Youtube.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=oh%20whistle%20and%20i'll%20come%20to%20you%20my%20lad%20film&ko=-1&iax=videos&ia=videos&iai=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DmYjtxHHjZ00
The Bradbury was the first thing that came to my mind too, along with SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES. I’ve never read the Zelazny. Love Gahan Wilson, since Playboy days.
Jeff, you would love A NIGHT IN THE LONESOME OCTOBER especially with the Gahan Wilson artwork.
Bill Crider put me onto this novel back when…”The October Game” is one of Bradbury’s best stories, all right…Bradbury’s worst Hallowe’en story I’ve read would be “Time in Thy Flight”. There’s a story, I think, by Richard Matheson, though it might be by Bradbury, that involves a family reunion on All Hallows…and at least Hallowe’en-adjacent favorites would include “Come Closer” by Joanna Russ…
Todd, I’ll have reread Joanna Russ’s “Come Closer.”
I’m with Todd.
Bill Crider is the one who recommended this book to me and he didn’t steer me wrong. I loved it.
Beth, Bill Crider had a great taste in books. A NIGHT IN THE LONESOME OCTOBER should be better known.