Howling Mad

by Peter David

science fiction, fantasy

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Fiction, Werewolves, Urban Fantasy, Comedy, Paranormal

201 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

aka David Peters

Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.

Reviews

[Trin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I first read this werewolf-bites-wolf, wolf-turns-into-man comedy/fantasy more than ten years ago, was delighted by the concept, and then somewhat underwhelmed by the actual book. I promptly forgot all about it. Then, some months ago, something dredged it up from the dark recesses of my mind. When I discovered it was out of print and not available at the public library, I suddenly became desperate to reread it. Because what a fun concept, right? A wolf gets bitten by a werewolf and turns into a man whenever there’s a full moon! That’s gotta be awesome!

Meh. Sadly, for once my 12- or 13-year-old self was spot on. This book is decidedly underwhelming. There’s an awkward framing device, really awkward sporadic wolf-POV narration, and a rather perfunctory plot. Also, Mr. David: if you want your main character to embody the perfect man who’s universally attractive to women, don’t describe him as looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger. That is not sexy. That is the unsexy. Even in 1989. I hope this piece of information gives you at least a little help in figuring out the female psyche, because as it stands, your heroine’s POV is almost as awkward as the wolf’s.

Anyway, I’m glad I’m writing this all down now, because in another ten years I’ll probably think I misjudged this book and want to give it another chance. DON’T BE FOOLED, FUTURE SELF! Maybe you could try learning from your mistakes for once?

[Altivo Overo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Showing its age a bit (e.g, people get onto airplanes without being strip-searched, x-rayed, and triple identified) but this is still a hilarious take on the Hollywood werewolf and vampire tropes. Every time it starts to get serious, something newly ridiculous and funny happens. Definitely recommended.

[mlady_rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept: A werewolf bites a human and he becomes a werewolf. But if a werewolf bites a wolf, does he become human?

Very cool concept, although I don't think it was executed very well. Partially it was style issues. Partially it was the fact that I'm pretty picky when it comes to my vamps and werewolves.

Start with the paranormal stuff. Normal size human yields larger than normal wolf. *thumbs up* Normal size timber wolf yields larger than normal human. *thumbs down* Failure on conservation of mass. Also, vampire to vampire bat. Again, fail.

Peter David's vampire and werewolf were the result of a gypsy curse, so they're on the "magic" side. I'm definitely a fan of the more "non-magic" explanations like disease or unusual blood chemistry or what have you. Just a bit more real.

Book was very stuck in the 1980's as far as setting and stuff. It was a bit distracting as a 2008 reader.

As for the style. Part was written from the wolf's perspective before he was bitten. Part was written as if he was sitting being interviewed ala "Interview with a Vampire". Part was the wolf's perspective after he was almost human, or more human. It was a bit of a mish-mosh. Oh, and there was some narrator's license with the early stuff because the wolf wouldn't have known those things. Very strange. Got better as the story went on, just because the wolf could speak for himself.

Oh, that's another thing in the magic category, the wolf woke up knowing English. *raises eyebrow* And, different from my typical werewolf reads, he couldn't understand English when in wolf form. Although he remained comfortable around humans, like a domesticated dog.

This world had the werewolf turns on the three nights of the full moon, so action was clustered around three full moons - when the wolf was bitten, and his first two turns after that.

Interesting read. I'm glad I read it, since I went to all the trouble to find it after hearing the concept. But I still think it could have been done better. I think it would have been cool to stay in the wolf's head from animal to human and back again, without the outside commentary.

X-posted to LJ.

[M— · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve been trying to track this book down for a while now, and finally found a copy on a bookswap site. I read it in an hour. I was not impressed.

The plot concept was what had initially peaked my interested: Werewolf bites wolf... what happens? Hey, that sounds cool. I like werewolves. And I love fantasy. And I’ve enjoyed a few of David’s other books.

Pish. It was only a tiny two-hundred page novel, and author spent way to much time beating into my head that wolves aren’t human and don’t think in concepts, like, words. Clumsily beating in, I might add. I might be grading this a little harshly... it was originally published in 1989, and maybe that sort of stuff needed to be stressed in that decade, but even if so, it did not age well.

It starts off with this clunky framing technique evolving a writer who is supposedly telling the reader this tale, who opens the story setting and then never appears again.

Then there was the obligatory female love interest for the newly-turned werehuman, which was so predictable as to defy belief. (Instant attraction on the part of the woman at first glimpse of inhuman man with bulging corded arms, leading her to try to domesticate him to city living, leading him to ponder between staying with her or tracking down his wolf-mate, leading me to mutter respectively, “But that’s so... cliché.” “No, that’s a stupid idea.” and “Go back to the bitch in the woods!”)

Plus, in addition to the evil rampaging werewolf, there was also an evil vampire involved. And the entire plot was ultimately caused by an old gypsy curse.

I honestly can’t decide if the story could have been improved by developing it more, or if it was a mercy that the book was so brief.

I recommend it only to serious fans of the werewolf subgenre and of Peter David.

[Snood · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I’m not sure if this is better classified as a horrific romcom or a romantic horror comedy, I have no trouble calling it a good time.

I was surprised at how consistently funny the book managed to be since horror comedies tend to fall flat in both regards for me. The moments where horror did crop up were well done too.

I don’t think the framing device of the story being based upon an interview is used as well as it could be. The interjections are funny, but I’m not sure they’re worth the awkwardness of needing to handwave scenes where Josh and Darlene weren’t present. The cracks didn’t show while I read the book though and I was entertained the entire way through.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another book I picked up again, because nostalgia is what's getting us all through COVID, apparently. I read this as far back as late middle school, enticed by the fact that I did (and still do) love werewolves, and this was a concept no one has yet explored: What happens if a wolf is bitten by a werewolf? The author, Peter David, seems better known for his work on The Incredible Hulk for Marvel Comics, and this book seems to only have one edition ever published. Somehow, in spite of its obscurity, I managed to get a copy with very little wear and tear.

As you can imagine, a lot of the book flew over my head as a kid. Not unlike the 80s aspect of Donnie Darko--another teen favorite of mine--I had no basis for anything referring to the decade just before my birth, though I'm technically only two years younger than this book. The 80s aren't too essential to the novel, but something about it does have that vibe. I think it might be the humor, which is fine and yet somehow a little bland. For example, the wolf-to-man protagonist, Josh, makes a comment about animals "training" humans and how humans have deluded themselves into believing it's the other way around. This joke is so cliched it's actually painful, but perhaps it wasn't that old in 1989. The funniest bit is the vampire getting his ass shot off by an old lady while trying to hypnotize one of the protags from their window, but even then the final line from said lady that ends the chapter--"Goddamn vampires think they run the whole city"--seems in its comedic timing and irony stolen from the final line of 1987's The Lost Boys, something I wouldn't have noticed as a kid. (I didn't see The Lost Boys until about two years ago in spite of being a horror aficionado. So sue me.) The humor just reminds me of 80s-90s Garfield comics with more of an R-rating; it's fine and technically funny, but not actual laughter funny, and it also just smells faintly of its time, though not too much. It definitely at least aged better than quite a lot of 80s humor.

I also don't quite know what to make of the deuteragonist, Darlene Abramowitz--an animal rights activist and New Yorker who recognizes Josh by his unique eyes (in addition to being the person who names him) and takes him in. For one thing, even when I was young she felt weirdly...off the wall. The not-Peter David character who is interviewing Josh as the frame for the rest of the novel describes her early on as "hyper," which I think connoted something a little different in 1989. By my time, it meant less of what I think it means here--high-strung--and more something like an ADHD symptom. As a result, Darlene is a little less...hysterical than I remember her being, and the narrative at least lampshades her excitability. Yet something about Darlene is off, though it's not the most egregious example of a male author not knowing how to write women that I've ever seen, not by a longshot. Still, her priorities are weird; even taking into account that Josh's human form is ripped and probably leaking pheromones at all times, all she can think about is boning him and keeping him around, which is primarily used for laughs. Her interactions with coworkers/friends revolve around thinking of him as man-trouble rather than a literal fucking werewolf who needs to go back home to the Canadian wilderness. She's enchanted with him until the one full moon cycle he's gone "overly human" and just wants to drink beer all night instead of have amazing sex with her. This also seems par for the course with this decade of writing: if it's a woman involved, it can't not be about the dick and how hard it is to find a good one for long. Bechdel is grimacing.

Speaking of the story's frame of having not-Peter David interview Josh--at times this works okay. At others it feels superfluous. I don't know if it was specifically informed by Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire and that's the idea, but sometimes Josh's dialog from the interview interrupts the narrative and makes it redundant in a way. At least, this decision I thought was rather shaky, though not deal breaking. It also makes things weird given some of what the narrative written by not-Peter David describes, mostly the sexual aspects. Darlene is mentioned early on as the friend of not-Peter who refers him to Josh. In-universe, what is it like then for Darlene to read whole sections of her talking about her romantic woes, giving in to fucking the hot man-wolf, and also that one aforementioned bit where the vampire Duncan hypnotizes her and the narrative places plenty of emphasis on her tits and how they move? Does Darlene at some point approach the friend she helped out with his writer's block by giving him this story and go "Hey, what the fuck?"

In the end, I don't remember this book being incredibly funny or unique outside its basic premise as a kid anyway, but I do remember it being entertaining, which I can say it still mostly is. I think it may be that the jokes that happen feel like the most obvious jokes you could make based on the set-up, and likewise the narrative meets the beats you would expect. It's the equivalent of watching a by-the-numbers comedy, but in a way where that is a positive rather than a negative--what you ordered from the menu as stated rather than something confusingly avant garde. It's a wee bit of fun.

[RunningRed NightBringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rereading my old copy that I've had since the early 90s. I love this book.
In the Canadian wilderness a werewolf is out hunting and gets into a territorial dispute with a local wolf. He bites the wolf who finds himself turning human during the next full moon. The first time I think this concept has been explored in fiction. Through various circumstances the wolf ends up in a New York City zoo, then befriending Darlene, a local woman who introduces him to human "civilization" during his time on two legs, and helping try to find out where he came from so he can return to his pack.
The werewolf, afraid Josh is going to come back and kick his ass, asks his curse-brother, a vampire (they were involved in real estate scams and made the mistake of swindling a gypsy family) to find and kill the wolf.
In addition, every month when Josh transformers, he seems to assimilate to human culture more and more. Enjoying junk food, binge watching TV and becoming a couch potato.

Peter David includes a lot of humorous contrivances and coincidences for how the characters get to where they are, such as Josh locating Darlene (someone he only knew as a friendly person who visited the wolf enclosure at the zoo) in huge fucking New York City. But it's a comedy so such things are allowed because the scenes are so funny.

Peter also brings up a couple of good ideas, regarding aspects of lycanthropy and vampirism. When Josh is turned human he understands spoken English and quickly adapts to the human world. The idea is the bite that infected him included some information on using his new form. Seems far fetched? Well, in a lot of fiction, when a human is turned into a werewolf, they seem to adapt to being a wolf very quickly. Knowing how to move on four legs, use their different scenes, move stealthily through woods or suburbs, hunt and track, etc. So makes sense to me.

And there's an amusing scene where the vampire visits the wolf enclosure at the zoo, intending to kill the wolf. Except he can't get in because they don't invite him. As he explains to his werewolf curse-brother:
“It’s private because the wolves made it that way. They’re even more territorial than humans are. Humans don’t go pissing on their apartments to mark them with their own personal scents. The wolves have made that rocky enclosure their private place, and I can’t enter unless they invite me.”

I like this book because it's fun and different from most crappy werewolf stories cause it's really fucking low on the angst. The werewolf isn't some monster that the protagonists must suffer from before they eventually prevail, and is so generic it could be swapped out with a different monster without changing the story, or where the werewolf is the protagonist who is cursed and whines and is a danger to friends and family while they bemoan their fate until they're cured or killed.

It's a fun book that really should be adapted into a movie or tv show.

[John Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, although that's mostly because of the concept rather than the actual story. This was written early in Peter David's career, and nowadays his writing is a lot more polished.

If you've read the cover blurb then you know the core idea: it's the traditional werewolf in reverse. Other people have done the same thing (e.g. Pratchett in Reaper Man) but I think this came first, so it certainly gets points for novelty.

The prologue has a similar conceit to The Time Machine, implying that this is a true story told to the author rather than a work of fiction. This allows for editorial comments at the start of some chapters, which I found quite entertaining.

At one point, a character mentions "Mayor Penn"; this is presumably a reference to Arthur Penn from Knight Life, implying a shared universe. However, this isn't explored further in either of the books, so it's more of an Easter Egg than a plot point.

One plot point relies on coincidence to the point of contrivance. After Darlene visits the zoo, she loses her handbag. A homeless man picks it up later, then Josh (in human form) robs the homeless man, taking his clothes and the handbag. Josh then recognises Darlene's photo on her driving licence and gets a taxi to her address. I think it would have been simpler if she'd accidentally dropped her handbag into the wolf enclosure while she was leaning over the barrier. She wouldn't have been able to go in to retrieve it, and it would be plausible for the zoo keepers to say that they'd fetch it later. The wolves would ignore it, but Josh would find it later when he turned human.

On the other hand, the start of chapter 22 has a few paragraphs which exist for the sole purpose of making a pun based on song lyrics, and I'm fine with that. It's equally contrived, but it's funny. This is something that I've also seen in the writer's later work, particularly the "Young Justice" comic.

Speaking of "Young Justice", it's clear from one of the issues in that series (as well as his personal blog) that Peter David isn't keen on hunting. That also comes up in this novel, but he's made an effort to be balanced by making of the hunters a sympathetic character. In particular, that hunter appeals to his colleagues to take part in a more equal contest, where the wolf that they're hunting could kill them, rather than it being completely one-sided.

I'd like to read the Otherwere anthology sometime, which has a short follow-up to this novel.

[Christopher Schmehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Peter David since right about when this book was published in 1989. Somehow, I missed out on it for decades. But then I found it, and I'm glad I did.
It has the usual Peter David humor in it. Whatever David wrote, whether intentionally comedy or drama or action, the funny stuff found its place in the story. One of David's greatest writing strengths was his ability to write honestly about everyday things happening to everyday people. This helped to ground his work in truth when the plot of the story was reaching for the fantastic. He wrote a lot of science fiction and fantasy. His grounded and realistic characters helped make his genre work shine above the work of other authors. That and his wonderful sense of humor.
Howling Mad is quirky, hilarious, and exciting. That said, it is grounded in the honest renderings of New York City. Main characters Josh and Darlene traverse places such as Queens, Flushing Meadow Park Zoo, and Central Park. David contrasts the glass and concrete world of the city with a small town in Canada near Toronto. McKeeville is as different from the big city as one can get, a small town surrounded by the big, dark woods of Canada.
If you enjoy comedy, werewolves, vampires, etc., then I highly recommend this book!

[Laura Bogart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun idea that is told well in all the places where Peter David seems to have forgotten that he had set it up "Interview with the Vampire" style. The only parts that are awkward are when he forces the story back into the conversation with the interviewer, and the very end where he seems to have just forgotten there was supposed to be an interviewer to wrap it up. The rest is quite entertaining. David is, in my opinion, one of the very best writers in the last 50 years of X-Men comic books, and you can see glimses of that skill in this novel. My sister has read many of his later books and says they're fantastic. I think this one just dipped slightly because it was early in his transition from the writing style of comic books into novels, but it's still much better than a number of NYT bestsellers I've read in the last few years.

[Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first few pages of this book set my expectations sky fucking high. Dark, gory and hilarious. My favorite combination. Unfortunately, the middle of the book didn’t live up to that for me.

Don’t get me wrong it was still a fun read, I enjoyed the writing style, the absurdity of the plot, the humor! It was just a little lackluster after that introduction. I really enjoyed the concept of a wolf being bitten by a werewolf and seeing the consequences of that. Watching josh become more human was amusing.

I think my favorite character was the old lady neighbor with all her threats. She was hilarious.

The end was perfect for the story and brought the vibe the first few pages had back. I just wish the rest had held up to that standard.

If you’re into ridiculous, dark humor and paranormal shit, I would definitely recommend this one.

[RedDagger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I should have more to say given the unique concept, but there's no shaking the feeling that this does precisely what you expect of it, and maddeningly little else; there's an opportunity for exploring something novel but instead it plays out like a generic werewolf romp with a twist.

There's a general theme of nature vs humanity going on throughout - however it's all rather sappy and trite, serving as cliched window dressing used to set up cheap jokes as much as it serves to give the characters any motivation and depth. It also relies on pretty outdated views of nature and wolves, but given the publication date that's more something that didn't age well than a real mark.

All in all, can't recommend not reading, but you aren't missing out if you don't, despite the concept.

[Maleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a very interesting premise. I liked the idea of a wolf being bitten by a werewolf and turning into a man during the full moon. The story wasn't bad and the writing was fun in places, but I didn't enjoy the story as much as I wanted. There was too much of a sexual overtone to it that was unnecessary. Josh was a great character who was noble and endearing in both his wolf and man phase. There were a few laugh out loud moments, but unless you really enjoy werewolf stories, you could skip this one.

[Tim Vargulish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly I think Peter David is one of the most underrated comic book creators working today. I can't think of anyone else who can write dialog and comedy like he does. His style translates well to regular book form. This story is an interesting take on the werewolf, showing you what happens when a wolf is bitten by a werewolf. It's a great premise but I kind of wish it'd be a bit more horror and a tad less romantic comedy. Still there's some funny parts, the characters are engaging, and there is some cool monster stuff, if anything it's a quick and fun read.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars (StoryGraph lets you do the quarters, come on Goodreads! Get with the times!)

Very fun book but too short! Would have read way more about Josh, Darlene, and especially Duncan (who was hilarious)

I’m surprised we’ve never gotten more of this type of weird horror before with a wolf getting bit by a werewolf. Hilarious and some surprisingly fun gore with the werewolf, I wish we had more of him because it was written to be such a cool monster

[Kris Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been a fan of Peter David for years - mainly from his Incredible Hulk in the 80s & 90s. Finally got around to reading his early work and not disappointed. This is a short (around 200 pages) novel about a werewolf that bites a wolf and he turns into a man! Funny and smart - definitely worth your afternoon.

[Jdetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of this book is a five star concept.....but the execution falls a little short. There's a lot of humor that doesn't quite work, but there's also some decent character work. It's a very competently produced book, but I wish it was a little sharper.

[Juan Sanmiguel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wolf is bitten by a werewolf and becomes a man on the night of the full moon. He finds himself in New York and falls in love with an animal rights activist. Peter David takes a classic story and turns it inside out. Its filled with humor throughout. Its great to see David in his own universe

[gawdzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

very funny, very cute, very fast-paced. all the *good* stuff is fade-to-black, unfortunately, but that’s okay.

overall a very good book that i enjoyed! would definitely love to see more works like this!

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deserves 6 out of five stars!
An ingenious story written with awesome style, I wish I knew how to find more like this one.

Must-have for any werewolf / shape-shifter fanatsy addicted!

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh-out-loud funny

[Ashley]

A mostly realistic take on the trope.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly a pretty funny take on what a werewolf can be. If you’re looking for a short read and something humorous, give it a go.

[Alexander Yasin · Rating 2 out of 5]

wtf did I just read…

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter David's concept carries the book for the most part. The novel is a product of the 1980's and that is obvious, but the concept is unique enough and the commentary on humanity is universal enough to carry the story along sufficiently. Some elements troubled me slightly, but the concept works and the tongue in cheek humor and engagement is meaningful enough over twenty years later. I was left with questions and must admit, I would be interested in seeing how Mr. David would revisit this concept more than twenty years later and with more experience.

David's writing is strong enough and his wit sharp even through the passage of time. As a fan of his work in other novels where his unique views are so engaging, I found that, while this is one of his earlier works, the right ingredients are there and formed well enough to be worth a reading. Glad I picked it up and I loved the concept and the execution was worthwhile if not quite what I had hoped - again, I would love to see him revisit this concept now.

[James Brigham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly quick read. Peter David's reputation for light patter and benign silliness carries through into this novel, the first of his I've read. The premise is divine: wolf bitten by werewolf becomes man. Falls in love. Hilarity ensues in 1980's New York. Ironically, I wish the story had had more bite. The punchlines could have been balanced more by some serious exploration of an animal trapped in a man's body, I thought. And a shoved in journalist subplot (ala INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE) comes across like a cheat to avoid writing too experimentally in order to best relay the alien P.O.V. of a wolf. Also, it goes nowhere.

Pluses: Some chuckle worthy lines and clever flips of the script on your expectation. Particularly regarding the climactic showdown as well as an entry into the narrative by another monster.

[Joy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The leader of the pack is defending his territory and his pack when he's attacked by a werewolf, though he has no idea what it was then. This is a fantastic twist. A human would have a better handle on this--if he's ever read any paranormal fiction, but an innocent wolf is clueless when he turns into a man under a full moon. Eventually, among other things, he learns the value of an opposable thumb, but a naked, ignorant man has a long way to go. He's tracked by hunters horrified by the kills scattered around the countryside. But he's rescued--sort of--and tossed into a zoo and confuses the pack there, meets an animal rights protestor, is tracked down by the werewolf--and a vampire. Oh, the fun just never stops. I love this book. And the writing and insights are well done. Highly recommended.

Btw, Terry Pratchett did a werewolf twist in Witches Abroad.

[Leelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

You've seen the old movies. You know what happens to a man who is bitten by a werewolf and lives. But what happens if you are a wolf??? Hilarious mayhem! For three nights a month this poor wolf becomes a man and he hasn't a clue what to do.
This is one of my favorite books written by Peter David and I can't understand why it isn't still in print. It is one of the best thought out comedic take on horror that I have ever read. If only they would make this book into a movie. Arnold (the Governator) must play the wolf. Daniel Stern ("Home Alone") has to play the vampire. And Danny DeVito would be pitch perfect as the werewolf!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter David is primarily a comic book author. He has done tons of Star Trek novels and other licensed properties. He has also put out some of his own works. This book I believe was one of his first. Or at least the first that I came across. It's a werewolf tale but with a twist. We all know what happens when a werewolf bites a man. What happens when a werewolf bites a wolf? He turns into a man. Take that and run with it. Peter David does just that with his trademark brand of humor. My second favorite werewolf book!

[Leonca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the concept. Joshua is a fun character, and there is plenty of humor in imagining how an animal might cope with becoming human. I could have done without the human romantic interest though. So many other things the story could have explored, and of course it had to go there. If that kind of thing weirds you out, you may want to skip this one.