LT's Theory of Pets

August 6, 2001
Audio Reviews reflect PW's assessment of the audio adaptation of a book and should be quoted only in reference to the audio version. FICTION LT'S THEORY OF PETS Stephen King, read by the author. S&S, unabridged, one cassette, one hour, $15 ISBN 0-7435-2004-1 King's fans will likely snap up this audio-only recording of King reading an unpublished short story to an audience at London's Royal Festival Hall. King warms up the audience, humorously warning them to beware of possible murderers lurking in the back seat of their cars as they drive home, adding, "I don't want to scare you.... " The story itself is mostly a comical one: a man tells how he gave his wife a cat for a present, and his wife gave him a dog, but each ended up with the other's pet. The antipathy each felt for their own pet (with anecdotes of the dog throwing up in the husband's shoes, the cat clawing at the wife's drapes, etc.) reflected the disharmony in the marriage itself, until the wife walked out. In typical King fashion, the humor turns to horror at the end. King has narrated many of his novels for audio and has an easy, relaxed style that works well here. He easily assumes the roles of both the man and his best friend, who tell different parts of the story, and makes his voice slightly higher for the woman's dialogue. King loyalists should be pleased to add this mid-range item to their collections, but those on the fringes might wonder if the story would perhaps be a better money value as part of a collection.

Who knew the master of horror is also a comic? Stephen King fans have long appreciated both the bawdy and understated humor in his writing. Here he demonstrates his humor in front of a live audience in Britain with a story about the relationship of partners in marriage, and their pets' relationships with them and each other. King's native Maine accent offers a clear picture of the plot, but his characterizations are far from polished. There's no happy ending, of course, but, as usual, King shows us how canny he can be about people's motivations. Judging from their reactions, the audience appreciates his performing talents, as well as his writing. R.P.L. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine