by Pa Rock
Reader
Fifteen years ago action and mystery writer Elmore Leonard put pen to paper and came up with a short novel that was unlike anything he had written before. He wrote A Coyote's in the House for his twelve grandchildren and his (at the time) only great-grandchild. The story is constructed as a fable replete with animals who talk among themselves - and a few of whom have more than a passing knowledge of the language used by humans, and, like all good fables, it comes with a resident moral.
Antwan, the central character, is a coyote living with his pack, The Howling Diablos, in the Hollywood Hills. Early in the story he comes in contact with Buddy, a German Shepherd who lives in one of the fashionable homes in the canyons. The home, in fact, was paid for out of earnings that Buddy made as the star of a series of movies. His movie career now at an end, Buddy lives with four humans - a father and mother and a young son and daughter. Also in the household is Miss Betty, a show poodle.
As the story opens Buddy catches Antwan staring at him through the fence, and, not having anything more important to attend to, the ex-movie star invites Antwan to hop over the fence and have a look around his house. After a brief visit, Buddy and Antwan make a decision that it might be interesting to trade places, or at least to explore each other's lives.
Buddy brings Antwan into the house through the dog door, where he introduces him to Miss Betty. Miss Betty is a bit snooty and considers herself to be above other canines, especially a coyote! As the story progresses the two dogs and the coyote begin to become friends. Antwan eventually is taken in by the humans when he shows up carrying a dog collar in his mouth that bears the name "Timmy." The little girl likes "Timmy" and the parents are convinced to let the strange looking cur dog stay.
The plot takes several sharp turns - like when Antwan and Miss Betty kidnap an expensive Persian cat who lives in a stylish home in an adjacent canyon, and then bring the scared feline home where they plot to have Buddy rescue her and return her home so that the resulting publicity will help him to regain his career in the movies.
This short novel also takes the canines on a visit to a Hollywood studio back lot and to a salvage yard where they (along with Antwan's pack) mix it up with a group of very mean junkyard dogs.
A Coyote's in the House is a fun tale with lots of action. It is suitable for youngsters in Middle School and could even be shared as bedtime reading. (The only thing in the book that some might find objectionable is the couple of times that Antwan refers to Miss Betty - whom he is sweet on - as a "show bitch." There are also a few places where adults might find humor in some of the remarks made by the animals, especially Antwan, that younger readers would not necessarily perceive as funny.
And the moral of the story: Live the life you were born to, but make the most of it.
A Coyote's in the House is a rollicking good tale. This old kid enjoyed it immensely!
Reader
Fifteen years ago action and mystery writer Elmore Leonard put pen to paper and came up with a short novel that was unlike anything he had written before. He wrote A Coyote's in the House for his twelve grandchildren and his (at the time) only great-grandchild. The story is constructed as a fable replete with animals who talk among themselves - and a few of whom have more than a passing knowledge of the language used by humans, and, like all good fables, it comes with a resident moral.
Antwan, the central character, is a coyote living with his pack, The Howling Diablos, in the Hollywood Hills. Early in the story he comes in contact with Buddy, a German Shepherd who lives in one of the fashionable homes in the canyons. The home, in fact, was paid for out of earnings that Buddy made as the star of a series of movies. His movie career now at an end, Buddy lives with four humans - a father and mother and a young son and daughter. Also in the household is Miss Betty, a show poodle.
As the story opens Buddy catches Antwan staring at him through the fence, and, not having anything more important to attend to, the ex-movie star invites Antwan to hop over the fence and have a look around his house. After a brief visit, Buddy and Antwan make a decision that it might be interesting to trade places, or at least to explore each other's lives.
Buddy brings Antwan into the house through the dog door, where he introduces him to Miss Betty. Miss Betty is a bit snooty and considers herself to be above other canines, especially a coyote! As the story progresses the two dogs and the coyote begin to become friends. Antwan eventually is taken in by the humans when he shows up carrying a dog collar in his mouth that bears the name "Timmy." The little girl likes "Timmy" and the parents are convinced to let the strange looking cur dog stay.
The plot takes several sharp turns - like when Antwan and Miss Betty kidnap an expensive Persian cat who lives in a stylish home in an adjacent canyon, and then bring the scared feline home where they plot to have Buddy rescue her and return her home so that the resulting publicity will help him to regain his career in the movies.
This short novel also takes the canines on a visit to a Hollywood studio back lot and to a salvage yard where they (along with Antwan's pack) mix it up with a group of very mean junkyard dogs.
A Coyote's in the House is a fun tale with lots of action. It is suitable for youngsters in Middle School and could even be shared as bedtime reading. (The only thing in the book that some might find objectionable is the couple of times that Antwan refers to Miss Betty - whom he is sweet on - as a "show bitch." There are also a few places where adults might find humor in some of the remarks made by the animals, especially Antwan, that younger readers would not necessarily perceive as funny.
And the moral of the story: Live the life you were born to, but make the most of it.
A Coyote's in the House is a rollicking good tale. This old kid enjoyed it immensely!
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