LIVES OF THE MONSTER DOGS

As presented here, this first novel has a split personality. Owing much to Huxley's Brave New World and Wells's Island Of Dr. Moreau, it tells of dogs made humanoid by a mad scientist who make quite an impression when they first appear in civilization. The narrative ping-pongs between two first-person eyewitnesses, a male monster dog and a female human. Mary Jo Smith's human has no personality to speak of. She warms up after the first half-hour, growing more interesting, if not more adept. In her amateurish mouth the tale sounds silly. George Delhoyo's melancholy dog growls in deadpan, low tones that suggest a sly wit in the writing. So whether you smile knowingly with the author or snicker at her depends upon which reader has the mike. Y.R. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT 97]