The first James Herbert book I read was 'The Ghosts Of Sleath'. At the time, I hadn't realized that it was the sequel to another book, titled 'Haunted'. But seeing as I knew the movie for that one so well, not having read the novel barely affected my understanding of David Ash. And I was also blown away with that book. It still sits alongside 'Dracula' and 'The Exorcist' as being one of the scariest things I have ever read. However, every Herbert book I've read since then has been - while not exactly bad - rather disappointing overall. Both 'The Spear' and 'The Fog' were recommended by Stephen King himself, and while I found the former boring and dumb, I thought the latter too chaotic and basically just a mess. I also read 'The Survivor' and 'Haunted', and at least the former was decent enough, but certainly nothing more than that.And so for these last ten months or so, I've only mentioned my familiarity with Herbert's work hesitatingly. He's a wonderful writer, in that his prose is smoothly delivered, and rolls along like effortless poetry. But his stories are just so damned repetitive. They all just feel the same.All I knew about 'Fluke' was that it was the story of a dog that has the mind of a human. Sounded like something Dean Koontz would write (which, when coming from me, is an insult). But for whatever reason, this one ended up on my shelf. And I decided to finally read it - get rid of the damned thing - just the other day. And ... quite surprisingly ... I actually thought it was brilliant. I'm so glad that I finally read this book. Not just because it relit my respect for the author, but also because as a book that looks into the life of a dog (how they see us; and how the animal world works in general), I thought it was fascinating. I love dogs just as much as the next person - all dogs except Toy Poodles, Chihuahuas, Jack Russels, and just about every other small dog; small dogs give me the shits; if you're gonna be a fucking lap-dog, why not just be a cat instead? - but I'm not into Dog Stories per-say. But then 'Fluke' isn't just a dog story. Without dragging this review out too long - or giving anything away - let me just say that it works as a very interesting (and perhaps not entirely inaccurate) insight into the world that humans miss out on. From exploring the dog's vivid awareness of colours, auras, smells and even ghosts, all the way to describing the telepathic manner in which all animals communicate, this story proves an easy, enjoyable, hilarious and sometimes stirring adventure that will change how you look upon dogs forever.Seeing as it is James Herbert, the story isn't completely without its darker elements. One section involving the killing of rats (which, like most animals in this book, are able to speak) was actually quite disturbing. And what's a dog-story without a couple of dead or injured canines? Although I've only seen the movie, 'Watership Down' kept coming to mind as I read this. It's got a very similar style, in that it blends a sense of childlike wonder (talking animals), with the cruel brutality that underlies Animalia (i.e., killing for survival). In a time when I was losing respect for James Herbert, for always offering the same thing, this book has reminded me not to be too much of a dick towards him. I really, really enjoyed this book, and if you're into animal stories, go ahead and give this a go. It's only like 200 pages, and I shan't be forgetting it any time soon. And before I close this review - it could have been longer, but my reviews are getting way too long again - I would also like to point out that I hadn't realized James Herbert actually died this year. For the sake of being sentimental, I'll put aside my less-than-favourable opinion of his other books, and say that I regret not having him around anymore, as he served a great contribution to the modern shelves of English pop-literature. If this book's underlying message about the existence of reincarnation is true, then I hope you're enjoying your new life as something nice, like a bird or a dolphin or something. I don't know ... this review just got lame.
"It seemed then as if I were seeing sky for the first time, and in a way I was, through different eyes. I gazed rapturously at the blue ceiling for several moments, until the rays of the sun made my eyes mist over, causing me to blink rapidly. It was then I realized what I was. I wasn’t shocked, for my new brain was still functioning mainly as it should, and memories were still lying dormant within. I accepted what I was; only later did I question my new beginning. But at that time, I thought it was perfectly normal to be a dog."What would be your reaction, if one day you woke up and found yourself trapped inside the body of a dog? Will you go insane if each of the sights that you encounter for the first time through your new eyes – or the dog’s eyes – feel maddeningly familiar? What if waves after waves of unexplainable emotions and hazy memories drive your little body towards an unknown goal, only to find that sometimes even your most trusted memories can be warped and distorted beyond truth? ‘Fluke’ by ‘James Herbert’ – who is often referred to as the ‘English Stephen King’ – is a ‘chilling yet warm’ kind of supernatural tale, told through the thoughts and sights of a confused and special dog – a dog who is ‘Fluke by name, Fluke by nature’ -, which can delight you as a reader. James Herbert as an authorJames Herbert was a British writer who thrilled and terrified readers across the globe with some of the best-selling supernatural thrillers and horror stories ever written. His macabre tales, often featuring some of the scariest of evil elements and with a sales figure of more than 50 million copies, were enjoyed even by non-English readers thanks to translations into more than 30 languages. His tales of the supernatural are often written with a flair to thrill the reader and have elements of horror, crime and fantasy which adds to the enjoyment factor. Stephen King was all praises for James Herbert’s dark fantasy novels:"Herbert was by no means literary, but his work had a raw urgency. His best novels, 'The Rats' and 'The Fog,' had the effect of Mike Tyson in his championship days: no finesse, all crude power. Those books were best sellers because many readers (including me) were too horrified to put them down."‘Fluke’, a canine’s worldIn ‘Fluke’, James Herbert successfully paints a world for the reader through the perspective of a dog; a perspective, which is both charming and heart-breaking at times to read. When you read the blurb of this book, the plot may seem template based on the surface, but the fluency and the make-believe manner, in which he describes the common sights, sounds and smells that surround us humans re-scaled from the sensory viewpoint of the canine is one of strengths of the book. The skill with which James Herbert characterizes ‘Fluke’ as a confused and vulnerable dog - rather than portraying him as a scary ware-wolf kind of character – makes it very original and a pleasant and engrossing story lingering on the borders of being paranormal.The author takes the reader through many gripping and entertaining scenarios that ‘Fluke’ encounter while going through the confusions and quests caused by the lingering memories in his mind; memories which take him through his life towards an unknown destination and a surprising and pleasant climax. ‘Fluke’ is a grim story, but the element of horror is pretty subtle when compared to the author’s other stories; with ‘Fluke’ James Herbert is focusing more on narrating a story which can entertain and move the reader with gentle waves of chill, warmth, sadness and even a touch of humor. The descriptions of the diminutive world as seen through the eyes of a mongrel and his tormenting memories rising from the depths of his consciousness are a delight to read. Perfect for a relaxed weekend reading.
What do You think about Fluke (1999)?
The first book I have read in over four months, i am actually proud of myself. Fluke was an easy book to read as it wasn’t that long and was a familiar story to me. I had seen the film long ago; it’s actually one of my favourite films to watch. Upon discovering it was a book of course I had to read it and at £0.20p from Amazon (sorry folks that deal is no longer running) I could afford to read it. I really liked the descriptions of things told through a dog’s perspective, makes me wonder if our furry four legged friends really see the world in the way that James Herbert describes it. I didn’t like how different the book was to the film, which isn’t the book’s fault since it existed way before the film but still a lover of the film here suddenly discovers her favourite scenes which usually sends her into a blubbering wreck aren’t in the book? Big biiig let down.For example: the emotional scene with Rumbo and Fluke never happened and book Rumbo wouldn’t even acknowledge the fact that he use to be a man and while on the subject of Rumbo, the book version of him sucked to be frank. Still it was a nice read and kept me entertained even if that was only because I was waiting to read the good bits I had seen in the film, oh well.
—Manda
I didn’t not enjoy Fluke. I think I enjoyed it more many years ago or perhaps when I wasn’t reading all of Herbert’s novels in order so that this fell hard on the heels of The Survivor. Written in the first person as a man who finds he has come back as a dog, I find it sometimes engaging sometimes not. It certainly breaks away from the chiller type of horror we expect from Herbert.Some interesting explorations of animal relationships to humans make you think of that dog you had or knew that used to look at you and give you chills with the sheer knowing in its eyes. It made me think of my own dog and wonder at those moments where she appeared to be a human in a dog suit. A moment like that seems to me to have been the trigger for this novel.Certain moments tug at the heart strings of anyone that ever loved an animal; others of anyone that ever lost anyone. Saying that, it’s an easy one to leave, the last 25% or so being where the interest picks up. Good holiday read, I would think - not demanding too much attention and easily picked up and put down again.
—Juliet
Fluke by James Herbert begins with a puppy first finding awareness. From the beginning, the dog (who is eventually named Fluke) senses that there is something different about him...he has strange memories, and wonders if he once was a man. Fluke ends up as a homeless stray, but makes friends with a gangster's dog and learns the ropes of dog life. He eventually decides to see if there is any truth to his flashes of memory, and travels back to the town where he suspects he lived as a man, in hopes that he will find his family and solve the mystery of his death. Fluke's story is beautifully narrated, in an authentic dog's perspective. It is a bittersweet story, as Fluke's life is tough, but his perspective is so doggone realistic that it makes for a wonderful tale.
—Cheryl
