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Fluke

By: James Herbert
Narrated by: Damian Lynch
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Summary

A likely tail. He was a stringy mongrel, wandering the streets of the city, driven by a ravenous hunger and hunting a quarry he could not define. But he was something more. Somewhere in the depths of his consciousness was memory clawing its way to the surface, tormenting him, refusing to let him rest. The memory of what he once had been.

James Herbert was one of Britain's greatest popular novelists and our #1 best-selling writer of chiller fiction. Widely imitated and hugely influential, he wrote 23 novels which have collectively sold over 54 million copies worldwide and been translated into 34 languages.

Born in London in the forties, James Herbert was art director of an advertising agency before turning to writing fiction in 1975. His first novel, The Rats, was an instant best-seller and is now recognised as a classic of popular contemporary fiction. Herbert went on to publish a new top ten best-seller every year until 1988. He wrote six more bestselling novels in the 1990s and three more since: Once, Nobody True and The Secret of Crickley Hall. Herbert died in March 2013 at the age of 69.

©1978 James Herbert (P)2013 Audible Ltd
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Editor reviews

Narrator Damian Lynch avoids cartoonish clichés in his performance of Fluke, instead finding the right note of believability as he voices a canine protagonist who comes to remember that he was once a man. Lynch layers his voice with urgency and a desire for revenge as he evokes Fluke's desperate need to find out what happened to him and his human family. Studded with scenes of humor and moments of revelation, this story will leave listeners ruminating on mortality and the afterlife.

What listeners say about Fluke

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A Very Original Story

At first I thought, what the heck am I listening to, but I ended up really getting into this book. A totally original story who's character I fell in love with:-)

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Heart Warming

I read this beautiful book decades ago and was delighted to find it in Audible. It is full of wisdom and humour as well as sadness. The conversation between Fluke and the Badger felt as though a mist of unanswered questions about Life suddenly cleared. There is much to ponder.

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Alright

Ok and interesting story but really not what I expected from a James Herbert novel

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another good book

I could not stop listening it was another book from this author. Great book going to start another from his collection

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Another great James Herbert story.

I wasn't sure about getting this, but I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed this story... it was so different from other James Herbert books. We get visualise the world from Flukes perspective, his difficult life as a stray dog with memories of a past life and his constant battle hunger. James Herbert really did a great job in describing the story through Flukes thoughts. The narrator was excellent to. I would recommend this book.

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A dog's life

I have always loved this book having read it about five times and this narration brings it to life. James Herbert has imagined a dog's life very well and the plot almost becomes irrelevant. Whether you listen in one go or in short bursts makes no difference as it is very easy to follow. Congratulations to Damian Lynch for his subtle characterisation.

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My favourite book

What made the experience of listening to Fluke the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the reading.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Fluke because he so very well presents the viewpoint of a human and a dog.

Which character – as performed by Damian Lynch – was your favourite?

Rumbo.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Rumbo's death.

Any additional comments?

A very good reading by Damian Lynch

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Great little story from different angle

I found this story interesting and funny, the content is good but the fact it comes from a different perspective is what makes it stand out.
Make me think about the animals I come across each day

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Engaging, sweet, & potentially haunting.

I picked this book because my mother has mentioned it many times, having read it a long time ago and it always stuck with her. I can see why now. I think the conceptual view of the world that this book offers its viewer is at once wholesome & enriching, with just a tastefully light sprinkle of disturbing, and a healthy side dish of existentialism. Lovely performance by the narrator, too; it very much helped endear me to the titular character and several others, and gave them so much personality and life that went above and beyond the call of duty. If this is considered a cult classic, it deserves it, even if that’s only in my mum’s eyes and now my own.

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Fluke

This is the tenth time for me and Fluke. Reading or listening it is a thought provoking great story.

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1 person found this helpful