|
Post by RaceFanX on Jun 23, 2010 11:41:02 GMT -5
"The other 101 adventure"
Here's a post to discuss the one and only revisiting of the 101 saga by its original author Dodie Smith. The original book's only sequel, one which has yet to be made into a movie of any kind and is unlikely ever to be (in live action it would near impossible, in animation it would likely be seen as too much of a deparature from the original)
It starts with Cadpig as the pet of the British Prime Minister and some slice of life for the Dalmatians on their plantation...and then things get weird with a very big twist into science fiction.
It's notable for the almost complete lack of the iconic Cruella DeVil, she appears only briefly and asleep just long enough to let the dals know she is in no way behind the events of the book.
|
|
|
Post by Cuddly Dearly on Jun 23, 2010 14:05:42 GMT -5
Much before I could even dream of owning and reading this book, I read it's content on the internet. My first impression was "No Cruella in this thing, it sucks". But I was completely wrong. When I bought this book and started to read it, I changed my opinion immediately.
Dodie Smith found a great way to use her spotted characters in a story not related to fur fashion at all. From the same beginning, the book makes you think about the mystery, makes you try to figure out what did cause the mysterious sleeping of all non-canine creatures on Earth. Missis suspected on Cruella de Vil, but even if I didn't know it in advance, I would never say it was her. The first novel is pretty realistic. Though, it shows the dogs as more intelligent creatures than they really are, but in the first novel there is nothing physically impossible. And one single human making the entire planet fall asleep, that is physically impossible. Even for a legend like Cruella de Vil.
While reading "The starlight barking" you won't think "Ah I miss Cruella here". This story is nothing like typical "101 Dalmatians" story of Cruella trying to kill the puppies for her precious fur coat. As I said, from the same beginning it makes you try to solve the mystery and you don't even expect an ordinary "101 Dalmatians" story. Furthermore, I wouldn't really call this novel something for children. The only thing that makes it "childish" are dogs as the main characters. If the main characters were three humans instead of Pongo, Missis and Cadpig, this novel would be suitable for every age and no one would say "Ah, this is a book for kids".
I also have to say that the book is very exciting. Even I, who generally don't like reading, although I knew the solution of the mystery in advance, enjoyed this book a lot and read it in nothing more than two days.
|
|
|
Post by Paws on Jun 23, 2010 22:18:05 GMT -5
I'm yet to read this one. It sounds very interesting by the way you guys describe it, and of course, the pups as adults. This'll be put down on my "books-to-read" list under "Animal Farm".
|
|
|
Post by babclayman on Jun 26, 2010 3:53:56 GMT -5
This one often slips from the radar at most times, doesn't it? o.o
This can often be set within the, Second Gen area, though whether it comes before or from, "102 Dalmatians" is a question. Possibly, Post as they say, Cruella is in, France. To which they are in, "102 Dalmatians". X3
Like, Race & Cuddly say, this one is a, HUGE twist from the, Original. While the first "101 Dalmatians" story is more logic based and more believable, "Starlight" takes a twist to a way super natural effect, This god like, alien being able to make every human on, Earth asleep (aside from the, Colonels boy & Tibbs since they are named, Honourable, Canines. X3) and then it takes a, Huge dark turn talking about, Nuclear war. O.O
When I usually read or, watch or think of "101 Dalmatians", Nuclear war isn't really what comes to mind, though, Gogo does mention it in "Tic Track Toe" episode. X3
So, While this piece is good, It is a huge difference from the, Original novel and has themes which I don't believe fit into "101 Dalmatians", much. o.o Still, It had good concepts, I'll give "Starlight" that. X3
|
|
|
Post by RaceFanX on Jun 26, 2010 15:44:43 GMT -5
I actually had much more fun reading Starlight Barking than I did the original book. This is basically because in 101 I'd seen the movies as a kid and basically knew what was going to happen. With Starlight it works quite well as a mystery, there is a very good sense of "what the heck is going on" that lingers over the book's events until the climax.
The book itself does lose some speed at the end, the eventual reveal of the true villain is anti-climatic. The intergalactic trickster is an interesting character but the fun takes a blow when we find out his sole reason for doing every thing he did was simply to hammer home an "Anvilicious" Aesop after the dangers of nuclear weapons. That portion somewhat makes the book quite dated, even by 1967 when Dodie wrote the book nukes were becoming less of an issue and after 1991...
Cadpig and her canine cabinet was a little silly but it is a kids' book afterall so we'll let that slide. My only real criticism is several of the characters you know from the first book are iced over, most of the humans get only a passing mention but that is plot justified. The real reason for this complaint is Perdita and Prince, who stay at the Dearly home for the duration of the book and are thus basically excluded from all the fun.
Overall it's a good read, if you like 101 Dalmatians I'd highly recommend it, it is still the only official work in the canon that features a good number of the pups after growing into adult dogs (102 only had Dipstick, here Cadpig, Lucky, Patch and Roly-Poly [Rolly] are all back).
|
|
|
Post by Cuddly Dearly on Jun 27, 2010 5:17:56 GMT -5
I don't think that the nuclear war thing is such a problem in this novel. I like it anyway, and I think that it wouldn't make children like it less.
I wouldn't call Sirius a villain. He didn't mean anything bad, just to save dogs from the nuclear war which he thought was going to begin.
|
|
|
Post by quazie89 on Mar 25, 2011 8:21:57 GMT -5
Since I just checked this book out from my library a couple of days ago and just read it yeasterday, I'll go ahead and give my opnion on it while it's still fresh on my mind. Being a fantasy nut myself, I really liked the SciFi/Fantasy element in the story, because I think it added a bit more mystery to it. I also liked the relationship between Cadpig and the Prime Minister. I would like to see their partnership explorered more in Fanfiction. Overall, I thought it was a great book and I enjoyed it as much as I did the first.
|
|
|
Post by babclayman on Mar 25, 2011 10:20:41 GMT -5
Ooooh, You want to hear a Story with a Relationship between, Prime Minister & Cadpig, eh? ;3
Check out one of the First Fics, I posted on here, "Bark Of War", I'm sure that'll give you some, Cadpig & Prime Minister stuff in it. X3
It's been a while since, I read this Book, So, I guess I could take a look at it somewhen. =3 Looking forward to hearing what you Pups think on the matter. *Hugs* X3
|
|
|
Post by Paws on Mar 25, 2011 13:59:29 GMT -5
I got this book for Hanukkah and I really, really like it ^^ it's converted me to become a Lucky/Gay shipper. The true canon <3
|
|
|
Post by Two-Tone on Mar 25, 2011 16:11:57 GMT -5
well the novel's cannon anyhow Paws
|
|
|
Post by quazie89 on Mar 26, 2011 7:38:03 GMT -5
Ooooh, You want to hear a Story with a Relationship between, Prime Minister & Cadpig, eh? ;3 Check out one of the First Fics, I posted on here, "Bark Of War", I'm sure that'll give you some, Cadpig & Prime Minister stuff in it. X3 It's been a while since, I read this Book, So, I guess I could take a look at it somewhen. =3 Looking forward to hearing what you Pups think on the matter. *Hugs* X3 Oh, thank you for the recommendation! I'll make sure to check it out!
|
|
7
New Pup
Posts: 12
|
Post by 7 on Jul 20, 2021 15:36:45 GMT -5
Re-read it recently and it's as good as I remember. I think I even favour it over the original book, a little bit(either that or its nostalgia because I read Starlight Barking first) Amazing illustrations I'll never forget.
|
|