[For the Rules, click here.]
Not long ago, there lived in London a young married couple of Dalmatian dogs named Pongo and Missis Pongo. (Missis had added Pongo's name to her own on their marriage, but was still called Missis by most people.) They were lucky enough to own a young married couple of humans named Mr. and Mrs. Dearly, who were gentle, obedient, and unusually intelligent--almost canine at times.
Author: Dodie Smith
Synopsis: When their fifteen puppies are stolen by Cruella de Vil and henchmen, Pongo and Missis go to the rescue with the help of many dogs and their "pets" along the way.
* * *
First things first: This is not the little Disney book, which messes dramatically with the characters; nor is it the movie based thereon. This, as I recall, is an honest-to-goodness novella, written by a talented author capable of appealing to all five senses, who makes her characters and scenes dimensional and believable.
I haven't read this since about sixth grade (thank goodness for the first page on Amazon, which provided the above quote), but in that year I read it over and over for several months. Certain scenes from the story still come up very visually in my mind, especially the old dog sharing his hot buttered toast with the travelers by the fireside.
It makes me hungry. Hmm. I think I have some leftover biscuits ...
Love 101 Dalmatians! Never could abide the Disney version.
ReplyDeleteYou're right that there are scenes that just stick out. One of my favorites is when the Cadpig finds the church but doesn't know what it is but thinks it's wonderful because the people there have left puppy sized cushions for everyone to rest on & they have a wonderful Television show, different from all the others the Cadpig has seen but which she loves best, & it's the Nativity scene!
I forgot about the scene with the Cadpig and the Nativity! Can't believe that slipped my mind. It was one of my favorites from the book. I really need to read that book again.
ReplyDelete