Publication

2004 - Peapod Classics, Northampton, MA, Massachusetts

Language

English

Word Count

37,000 words, Guess

Page Count

148 pages

Identifiers

  • Internet Archivecarmendog00emsh_0
  • ISBN-101931520089
  • ISBN-139781931520089
  • Goodreads94724
  • LibraryThing170707
and 4 more

Classifications

  • DDC813/.54
  • LCCPS3555.M54 C3 2004
  • LCCPS3555.M54C3 2004

Description

Emshwiller stretches a conceit past the breaking point in this uneven allegory. Women are degenerating into various animals, and female animals are acquiring human characteristics. The men are puzzled, but don't much mind; animals, they realize, are ideal companions ("Relationships and responsibilities were less confining. After all, they merely involved dumb animals who were not worth consideration, politeness, time, effort, gifts"). Her fantastic premise allows Emshwiller canny and frequently hilarious insights into the damaging sex-role stereotypes both men and women perpetuate (a dog's visit to a psychologist is a highlight). But she juggles too many genres here--the plot turns on mad scientists, academic conspiracies, formula romances--without sustaining the reader's interest in the central story of human/animal metamorphoses. Eventually the social critique is swallowed by increasingly silly scenarios. --Publishers Weekly.

Subjects

Genres

  • Fiction

Other Editions

  • Carmen DogPeapod Classics2004-01-01

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