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Cerberus
Rescued from the horrors of an animal research laboratory, the mastiff, Garth, discovers that his new freedom comes with certain obligations. Released into a new world where the Grey Men have gifted the Canidae the power of speech and higher consciousness, he persuades the rest of his adoptive pack that they must help the aliens complete their mission to ‘unmake’ the human species. In the course of doing this Garth discovers much about the true nature of his relationship with the Grey Men, including that his own future is not as liberated as he first imagined.
On Garth’s journey of discovery, he is accompanied by a colourful assortment of canine companions, whose adventures celebrate the richness of personalities in the canid community, as they struggle to understand the implications of their new capabilities. One major difference between them and the humans becomes starkly evident by the end of this remarkable tale.
On Garth’s journey of discovery, he is accompanied by a colourful assortment of canine companions, whose adventures celebrate the richness of personalities in the canid community, as they struggle to understand the implications of their new capabilities. One major difference between them and the humans becomes starkly evident by the end of this remarkable tale.
278 pages, Paperback
Published January 5, 2024
3145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 25, 2025
‘The emancipation…Us, being able to speak like this…having so masters or mistresses’
Scottish author Graham Pryor studied American Studies and English at the University of Hull, and has served as Director of Information Systems and Services at University of Aberdeen, and as Director of the UK Digital Curation Centre, Edinburgh, and has written over twenty books covering a wide spectrum of concepts. As he has stated about his science fiction novel CERBERUS (a three-headed dog in Greek mythology), ‘With the Earth rid of the human species, the Canidae become the dominant family of species, gifted speech and a higher consciousness by the aliens who come to cleanse the world of homo sapiens. But this story of Garth, a great mastiff rescued from the cruelty of an animal research laboratory, reveals a whole new thread of humanity that exists within the world of the canids.’
The pleasure of Pryor’s prose opens this splendid novel as follows: ‘Clover stopped suddenly, fully arrested by her thoughts, the wind-blown sand taking the opportunity to wind slithering coils around her legs. “Hey,” she exclaimed, “look at what we’re doing. We’re taking ourselves for a walk.” …The long-legged Airedale terrier stared at her with an air of mild condescension. “But we are creatures of habit you know that…Just enjoy it, Clover. Doesn’t it feel good to be free of the leash?” And that conversation between dogs opens a window into this world of canines! Wise – and entertaining – science fiction and a very fine reading experience. Recommended
Scottish author Graham Pryor studied American Studies and English at the University of Hull, and has served as Director of Information Systems and Services at University of Aberdeen, and as Director of the UK Digital Curation Centre, Edinburgh, and has written over twenty books covering a wide spectrum of concepts. As he has stated about his science fiction novel CERBERUS (a three-headed dog in Greek mythology), ‘With the Earth rid of the human species, the Canidae become the dominant family of species, gifted speech and a higher consciousness by the aliens who come to cleanse the world of homo sapiens. But this story of Garth, a great mastiff rescued from the cruelty of an animal research laboratory, reveals a whole new thread of humanity that exists within the world of the canids.’
The pleasure of Pryor’s prose opens this splendid novel as follows: ‘Clover stopped suddenly, fully arrested by her thoughts, the wind-blown sand taking the opportunity to wind slithering coils around her legs. “Hey,” she exclaimed, “look at what we’re doing. We’re taking ourselves for a walk.” …The long-legged Airedale terrier stared at her with an air of mild condescension. “But we are creatures of habit you know that…Just enjoy it, Clover. Doesn’t it feel good to be free of the leash?” And that conversation between dogs opens a window into this world of canines! Wise – and entertaining – science fiction and a very fine reading experience. Recommended
October 22, 2025
Graham Pryor's Cerberus: A World Gone to the Dogs is a brilliant and exhilarating combination of post-apocalyptic adventure and dark humor. The world-building is colorful and inventive, transporting you to a world in which dogs have taken power and people struggle to live. Pryor's storytelling is snappy and fast-paced, with suspense, wit, and surprising emotional depth. I really liked how he approached loyalty and survival from such a fresh perspective. The characters are well-developed, and the story kept me flipping pages late at night. A must-read for fans of dystopian fiction with a unique perspective. Highly recommended for an immersive and intriguing read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews