4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this on audio. The writing was clever and sweet. I love it that it was from the animals' viewpoint. My favorite example of this was when they stumbled upon a church and thought it must have been designed specifically for puppies, with a puppy bed in front of each seat. (I don't know if I really needed to hide that, but I didn't want to spoil the fun.

Oddly, I'd be hesitant recommend it to kids; I know when I was a child, I would have been horrified and possibly traumatized at the callousness of Cruella De Vil and her talk of the many different ways to kill the puppies for their fur, to say nothing of all the kittens she bragged of drowning. I might just have to limit my recommendations to the adults I know who love children's books. ( )

SPOILER ALERT: Disney changes the book. Actually thats no surprise, but this one is a weird one. The first two chapters and the last chapter are really different, yet the rest of the book is kind of the same thing as the movie. However, it's not the plot that has the biggest changes it's the characters.

For starters the name Roger and Anita are nowhere to be found. The couple is in the book, but they are only given their last name Dearly. I actually like Disney's versions of the characters better because they had more personality.

In the book there are two Nannies, Nanny Cook and Nanny Butler. Again I like what Disney did there by making them one character instead of two separate ones.

Perdita is one who is an odd combo. In the book she is not mention as much. In fact she is the pups foster mother. Their real mother is Missis. I can see why Missis was changed for the movie to Perdita, but also see why Dodie Smith wrote to Disney asking why he changed her name. Neither of the dogs were alike to make a good combo.

Probably the oddest change was with Cruella De Vil. This book finally answered a question I've had how Anita and Cruella knew each other in college. Disney mad her look at least 20 years older then Anita. When in fact, the book is is younger and prettier. The other big change: SHE'S MARRIED! That actually floored me. And the fact her husband took her last name as his did as well. Didn't realize there was some feminism in the book.

There are several other character changes in the book, but I don't want to go on and on with it.

I still love the Disney movie and it's still one of my favorite movies of all time, just surprised about some of the changes Disney made. Just a head up, the writing is different from what I expected too. She makes the dog more like humans and the humans more like animals. ( )

This is an enjoyable kids adventure book that I read with Milly at bedtime. Cruella de Vil is an excellent villain and the dogs are full of character. ( )

Had never read this classic before - it's excellent! Pongo and Missus love each other and are proud of their "pets," Mr. and Mrs. Dearly, and all four are proud when fifteen (15!) puppies are born. But evil neighbor Cruella de Vil has designs on the dalmatians - she's married to a furrier, and wants a black and white spotted coat. When the puppies go missing, the Dearlys advertise in the paper, and Pongo and Missus set off up Primrose Hill to send out the alert to all of dogdom. When they receive news of the puppies, they set off to rescue them, aided by various dogs (and a horse and a cat and a small child called Tommy) along the way.

There's one bit about gypsies being dog thieves that is objectionable; otherwise, the story is charming.

See also: The Incredible Journey (Homeward Bound)

Quotes

It was a beautiful September evening, windless, very peaceful. The park and the old, cream-painted houses facing it basked in the golden light of sunset. There were many sounds but no noises. (8) ( )

I just gave this a quick re-read. Still a delight, perfect comfort reading (if you can shrug off the bits about how feather-brained Missis is). ( )