Saint Peter's Wolf [Paperback]

M. Cadnum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1993

Obsessed with the latest addition to his collection--a set of fangs embedded in silver--art collector Benjamin Byrd soon finds himself transforming into a nocturnal, bloodthirsty being. Reprint. PW. LJ.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A pair of silver fangs with a long and frightening provenance serves as the catalyst for one man's transformation to a werewolf in this gripping tale. San Francisco psychologist and art collector Benjamin Byrd first comes across the fangs when he meets alluring Johanna Fisher, soon to become his lover, who introduces him to a renowned collector of curious artifacts. From the moment Byrd sets eyes on the fangs, he is mesmerized. Recurring dreams of a beast "padding in the darkness" after him have haunted and terrified Byrd since childhood; once in possession of the fangs, however, he becomes utterly unafraid, waiting, "as though for an old friend," for the beast to find him. And find him it does. Awaking from his dreams of the beast, Byrd is not in his bed but on his back lawn, shivering and afraid and yet, somehow, keenly alive, deliciously sated. Only when he starts to fear that he may harm Johanna in this altered state does Byrd begin to regret his terrible new power. But Johanna has secrets of her own, secrets that her lover cannot begin to imagine. Cadnum, an award-winning poet, spins lyrical prose. Lushly plotted and suspensefully told, this is genre storytelling at its finest.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA-- Ben Byrd is a southern California psychologist whose career seems to be following the path of his broken marriage. His downhill slide is stopped, however, by a strange set of teeth in a silver base that, like dentures, fits in a human mouth. The man tries on this ghoulish piece of dentistry, and begins to dream that he is a creature of limitless power. This strength is carried over to his professional life, salvaging his practice. After a brutal midnight romp, he can no longer deal with the guilt brought on by his animal self. With the help of another of his ``kind,'' he learns that the true spirit of the wolf is not that of a senseless killer, but that of an intelligent, soulful beast who shuns the corrupting works of man. Cadnum communicates the power, the grace, and the fury of Saint Peter's Wolf. YAs are sure to identify with Ben's frustration and helplessness as his life begins to escape his control, and they will be compelled to follow his reaction to the horrific situation as it evolves from a mindless rage into a confident understanding of his new inner strength and physical power. --Phillip Clark, R. E. Lee High School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 1 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (June 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821741837
• ISBN-13: 978-0821741832
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Cadnum is the author of thirty-five books, including the National Book Award finalist The Book of the Lion.  A two-time Edgar Allen Poe Award nominee, and an award-winning poet, Cadnum's work is widely acclaimed.

He lives in Albany, California, across the bay from San Francisco, with his wife Sherina.

For more of the latest on Cadnum and his work visit his website www.MichaelCadnum.com
 

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I was so bored, December 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Saint Peter's Wolf (Hardcover)

What I didn't like: The plot was predictable and slow. I knew what was going to happen at almost every turn. The main character is an intelligent man with a doctorate but he continously does stupid things. There is a part in the book where he is in mortal danger and he states his one advantage is that the people trying to kill him don't know he's there. Then he runs down the stairs screaming, which gives away his only advantage. No explanation of his stupidity is given. At other times, he puts the life of the one he loves in jeapordy by taking her to dangerous places when he could have just as easily found out what he wanted to know by making a phone call. It's like the author is trying to make the story more exciting, but it just doesn't make sense for the characters to do the things he has them do.

What I liked: The love story is interesting and well done. The way he becomes a werewolf is unique and more realistic and believable than many other stories of this type. The author is a poet and it shows in his writing - the language is unbelievably beautiful.

In spite of the good things about this book, the plot falls flat and seems to get worse as the book comes to an end. I would not recommend it.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars COULD YOU BELIEVE IN A MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE?, March 28, 2003

By 

Loren D. Morrison "amateur_reviewer" (Los Angeles County, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saint Peter's Wolf (Paperback)

The plot of SAINT PETERS WOLF varies significantly from the typical werewolf story. (For the traditional, think of the movie with Lon Chaney, Jr.) In this novel, instead of becoming a werewolf by being bitten by one, one becomes a werewolf through a combination of predisposition and proximity to an ancient set of silver fangs. Only a select few are so affected. Other variances from the common tradition are the continuing metamorphoses through which Cadmun's werewolf goes, and finally it is a story of love.

With this oversimplification of the plot, I'm going to vary from the traditional review format by posing a series of questions that can only be answered by reading Cadnum's novel.

All of the following questions, except the last, are based on SAINT PETERS WOLF.

What is the meaning of the title?

How is it possible that a beast can be seen as both a threat and a victim?

What is lycanthropy, and is it actual, mythological, or a form of mental illness?

Is werewolf or vampire hunting the obsession of a madman, the hobby of an evil man, or the duty of a moral man, or perhaps, some strange combination of all of the above?

How does becoming a werewolf affect the human half of the werewolf?

Does the wolf half have human feelings?

After reading this novel, could you have empathy for a werewolf?

And the final question: If someone told you that they were a werewolf in their human manifestation, could you believe them?

I would hope that these questions might stimulate your curiosity enough to make you want to read SAINT PETERS WOLF.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, absolutely terrific read, couldn't put it down, May 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Saint Peter's Wolf (Paperback)

As you follow Benjamin Bryd through the story you can't help but want to be the character. He finds the meaning to his purpose in life, he roams free and finds the only thing he needs.