104. One Hundred and One Dalmations

One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Dodie Smith. 1956. 199 pages. [Source: Childhood Copy]

First sentence: 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). 

Premise/plot: Pongo and Missis are blessed with a large family: fifteen puppies, and four humans--a married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Dearly, and two Nannies (Nanny Cook and Nanny Butler). But their happiness is interrupted when Cruella de Vil steals the puppies and hides them at her country estate in Suffolk, Hell Hall. Will the Twilight Bark work? Will they ever learn the whereabouts of their puppies? 

I should also mention Perdita. Perdita is a dalmatian dog the Dearlys bring home to help Missis out with the motherly duties of nursing, cleaning, loving. She cares for seven while Missis cares for eight. The three make for one big happy dog family. (Though readers are assured that Pongo only has eyes for Missis and that Perdita is like a sister to him.)

My thoughts: The novel is delightful. There are differences between the classic Disney animated movie and the novel. (The novel came first, of course). Some differences are subtle--others less so. Mr. Dearly, for example, is in finances and is not a song writer--or jingle writer. I've already mentioned the three parents--Pongo, Missis, and Perdita. The names of the pups offer further differences. In the book, there's a pup named Cadpig. Other pups do appear in the movie--Patch, Lucky, Roly-Poly. (In a way, it's sad that the author only names FOUR puppy names when there are fifteen puppies.) But probably the biggest differences are in the rescue and resolution. (AKA the fate of Cruella and how she's taken down.) I can see why some changes were made for the film version.

I definitely enjoyed this one. It was fun. The movie is a favorite. If I read the book, it was in the years before blogging. (Or should that be Years Before Blogging?) I read plenty before 2006!!! I would recommend this one.

 

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