Vic and Blood: The Continuing Adventures of a Boy and His Dog - Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Novel for Teens & Adults - Perfect for Dystopian Fiction Lovers and Book Club Discussions

The first time I read "A boy and his dog" I was twelve or thirteen. I remember how I thought Blood was the coolest dog ever, but for some reason I pictured him as a German Shepherd all these years. I never got to read the other stories in the series back then, but that story stuck with me for 40 odd years so I decided to read it again when it popped up in a conversation of end of the world scenarios.I actually enjoyed the stories far better this time, because I understood them better now for one thing. I have to admit that a lot of the stuff in the story shot over my head the first time I read it, and I was probably pretty naive in regarding some of the sexual aspects of the story.I enjoyed revisiting Vic and Bloods post apocalyptic world, and the other stories in the series. I was quite dissatisfied with the ending to the third installment in the series, and you can tell the Harlan doesn't seem to be into writing this particular segment of the duos tale. Rumor has it that Harlan was somewhat sick of requests for the continuation of the characters story, and he wrote this story to bring an end to that sort of thing. Whatever the reason, this story comes up a little short compared to the other two in my opinion. It is still a decent read, but less engaging and believable in my opinion.Overall I liked this collection, and it lived up to my memories of it. Lastly, I still think Blood is a pretty impressive dog, even if he isn't the German Shepherd that I remembered, and I wish him luck because he's going to need it.I was familiar with the story because of the film. Although aware of the author’s complaints about the movie, his story is one that can no longer be seen as appropriate. Perhaps that’s the point in such a bleak future. With rape commonplace, I cannot recommend the story to everyone. It’s become dated and more politically incorrect than ever before. But that sums up Harlan Ellison, the man and his writings.This slim volume contains the three prose pieces published on the adventures of Vic and his telepathic dog Blood.In a post WWIII world, Vic scrabbles for survival along with other survivors. Blood is telepathic because of experiments on his ancestors before the war. Very intelligent, he's Vic's teacher and uses his abilities to find women for the teenager. Vic in turn finds him food.The centerpiece is Ellison's award winning 1969 story A BOY AND HIS DOG. First up is a prequel,EGGSUCKER, published in 1977 and set not long after the pair hooked up. The third piece is an excerpt from the main story, in progress, RUN, SPOT, RUN, set directly after the main story. It appeared in 1980.Look forward to the rest of the story.The author always intended his short story A Boy And His Dog to be part of a full length novel. Sadly he never lived long enough to write that novel but we do have the original short along with a prequel and sequel to help flesh out this world.It's Harlan Ellison. At his best. Yeah, it's been many years, but his writing has inspired me more than once to try my hand at creating my own versions of reality. Thank God, I didn't! I knew I could never match Harlan for his use of language, his descriptive prose, his ability to evoke in my imagination the reality of his world-view, and to inspire in me the emotions he wanted to inspire. Truly, reading his words are very much like watching the scenes in a movie unfold - but a movie with the depth of passion so lacking in the flat screen. If you want to read the best in speculative fiction, pick up an Ellison, find a quite spot on a comfortable seat and just immerse yourself. You won't be able to put the book down.What a joy to finally read this book. I've been a fan of the movie since middle school, but i always buy books from local mom and pop shops, too which they never had this particular work. Finally i gave in, and boy am i glad i did. The very Ellison intro gets you in the mood for what feels like only a 3-5 hour read. I only wish it was longer.If you want a writer who pushes boundries, explores human nature without censorship and is truly an artist when it comes to fiction then HE is your guy. You may not like this novel or novella but you will love it. His writing may seem simple in this work but it is incredibly effective. This is a must read along with Kurt Voneghuts Sirens of Titan.This is a collection of 3 short stories about Vic and his telepathic dog Blood. It took me an evening to read. I enjoyed the stories, although I was a little disapointed in the lack of violence but hey I'm a millienial reading an "edgy" book from the 50's so that's that. The novella is so short I have trouble justifiying the price.Disappointed, this was just a repackaged and retitled book, of the previous "Vic and blood" story.Still missing a couple of story. From what I've been told by other people.But if you haven't read the "Vic and blood" it good story. Especially if you're a fallout games fan.What a shame this universe never got the chance to be expandedHarlan Ellison at his best. Very enjoyable black comedy science fictionGood. A must if you have played the Fallout games or seen the 1975 film "A Boy and his Dog"Post apocalyptic short stories (3) and graphic novel interpretation.Was the inspiration for the movie A Boy and his Dog as well as the Fallout video game series.I wish there was more, but there isn'tA boy and his dog is a masterpiece, should be read alone, without the authors explanation and even without the last part. 5 stars for it. But as the book has these other parts, well, 4 stars.