Fluke
I read this one years ago and haven’t had the opportunity (or inclination if truth be know) to read it again so my memory of the book is probably too jaded to give a real overview. Basically though it is a story of a dog that isn’t a dog, or at least it doesn’t think it’s a dog even ... Read review
He was a stringy mongrel, wandering the streets of the city, driven by a ravenous hunger ... more
and hunting a quarry he could not define. But he was something more. Somewhere in the depths of his consciousness was a memory clawing its way to the surface, tormenting him, refusing to let him rest. The memory of what he had once been: A man.
Advantages: Interesting Disadvantages: Not horro like normal James Herbert
...that of a dog called Fluke who realises he is different from other dogs but he doesn’t know why. It's only as he gets older that he realises the significance of some of his thoughts and it becomes clear he is really a man trapped inside the body of a dog. The story then progresses as he try’s to discover why.
It is not a horror in the true sense of the word (although it does make you look at dogs in a different light) but it is still ... more
Fluke
I read this one years ago and haven’t had the opportunity (or inclination if truth be know) to read it again so my memory of the book is probably too jaded to give a real overview. Basically though it is a story of a dog that isn’t a dog, or at least it doesn’t think it’s a dog even though it is ….. confused ?
Although its not a complicated plot (despite the above sentence) you do have to try and put yourself in the position of a man who isn’t a man but is a dog who doesn’t realise he’s a man although he has man thoughts … NOW your confused !!
I’ll try and explain a bit more, the outline of the story is that of a dog called Fluke who realises he is different from other dogs but he doesn’t know why. It's only as he gets older that he realises the significance of some of his thoughts and it becomes clear he is really a man trapped inside the body of a dog. The story then progresses as he try’s to discover why.
It is not a horror in the true sense of the word (although it does make you look at dogs in a different light) but it is still a very entertaining piece of work. As for my comment earlier about not having the inclination to read it again, this is not for any negative reason it is simply because there is so many more James Herbert books that I have to get through !!
Advantages: Not a scarey horror storey Disadvantages: You might ned to read twice to grasp
A different, thinkers horror book. Probably in the Horror Genre because of the author and and his earlier books. Dated now but does stand the test of time
A relatively short book compared to some other horror writers but no less a good book. It is different and starts you thinking from page one.
Then undertake the trek of a man to recover his life only to find out he is a dog. Or the trek of a dog to regain his life as a man.
It is difficult to ... ...but is this dog a man or is this man a dog. Suffice to say he has 4 legs and barks so why should he think like a man and as soon as he realises who is is(was) then why is he a dog???????
Re-incarnation it might not be but this dog has a grudge so don't take his bone.
Go to your local library and borrow the book. ...
wayne7 05.03.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Fluke - James Herbert
Would you read it again?
Story
Characters
Readability
How does it compare to ...
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Fluke - James Herbert"
Advantages: It has James Herbert's name on the cover Disadvantages: Repetition, ponderous prose, obstructive footnotes
struggled.
Whilst I might not have enjoyed JamesHerbert's more recent works, his narrative has always been enjoyable and his writing style always readable. But Nobody True seems to be made up of a barrage of stop-start sentences and paragraphs full of repetition.
The premise of the book is simple: narrator or hero, however you want to view them, is able to have Out of Body Experiences, or OBEs as they quickly become abbreviated. On one such OBE, James True returns to his body only to find it horrifically mutilated, lying face down on the bed in an ocean of blood. Because of the OBE, Jim becomes something of a spirit, able to move around unseen but unable to pass on to the next life. In a story reminiscent of Herbert's fourth novel, Fluke, where the narrator finds himself reincarnated as a dog, this book trudges around the life of James ...
Advantages: Well written, back to the old form Disadvantages: Some may find it a bit taxing
Take a big dollop of Fluke, a spoonful of Others, a pinch of The Dark and the tiniest drop of The Jonah, stir it up and you may well have JamesHerbert's new book 'Nobody True'. Or perhaps I'm being a little unfair on the whole thing, lets take a peek.
Nobody True, (don't make the same mistake as I did calling it Nobody's True, sounds easier) is the newest output of Britain's greatest horror writer JamesHerbert. Although I'm sure that I'd call him a horror writer anymore, supernatural, that's more the word. But even so he's moved away, like Stephen King into other directions. 48' and Others show that perfectly. Once of course did have that spooky supernatural gobliny stuff, but it didn't go down too well. Hence I think he's gone back to the more human side of things. Now you may disagree with me after reading the book yourselves ...
He was a stringy mongrel, wandering the streets of the city, driven by a ravenous hunger and hunting a quarry he could not define. But he was something more. Somewhere in the depths of his consciousness was a memory clawing its way to the surface, tormenting him, refusing to let him rest. The memory of what he had once been: A man. 'The author has an undeniable knack for thrilling, as few other writers have...he sure can tell a devil of a story' - "Literary Review."
Compare Fluke - James Herbert to other similar Horror Books »
