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Fluke

 Fluke
type
TVTItem
 Fluke
label
Fluke
 Fluke
page
Fluke
 Fluke
comment
A 1977 novel by James Herbert.A newborn puppy, on acquaintance with his London street market environs, suddenly finds he can see a surprisingly lucid range of colours. Separation from his mother and siblings immerses him in a world of frightening bustle and size, from which he gratefully shelters in the kind arms of his new owner. However, things don’t work out, and he ends up in an animal shelter.Troubled by fleeting memories of having a body like one of the “giants� in charge of this place, his confused lamentations disturb the other animals, which persuades the vets to put him down. He flees onto the streets, and is found by veteran street dog Rumbo, who trains him to find food.Shelter in a scrapyard, and occasional food supplied by its “Guvnor,� lend consistency to the wayward lives of Rumbo and his “squirt� protege. Uncanny ability to find nearby hidden food earns the young dog the name Fluke. A police investigation of the yard eventually steers Fluke out of the city and along a strangely familiar country road…A fondly remembered film adaptation was released in 1995. If you're looking for the novel by Christopher Moore, see Fluke, or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings.
 Fluke
fetched
2024-02-04T05:44:44Z
 Fluke
parsed
2024-02-04T05:44:44Z
 Fluke
processingComment
Dropped link to ITakeOffenceToThatLastOne: Not a Feature - UNKNOWN
 Fluke
processingUnknown
ITakeOffenceToThatLastOne
 Fluke
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Fluke / int_1b901025
type
The Fagin
 Fluke / int_1b901025
comment
The Fagin: Subverted; Rumbo trains Fluke to steal food, but for their mutual survival.
 Fluke / int_1b901025
featureApplicability
-0.3
 Fluke / int_1b901025
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_1b901025
 Fluke / int_21af4dc3
type
Heroic Dog
 Fluke / int_21af4dc3
comment
Heroic Dog: While police pursuit of the Guvnor is legitimate, Rumbo defends him with fierce loyalty. Fluke critically aids Rumbo against a particularly large and vicious rat.
 Fluke / int_21af4dc3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_21af4dc3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_21af4dc3
 Fluke / int_2726d167
type
The World Is Just Awesome
 Fluke / int_2726d167
comment
The World Is Just Awesome: Following the emotional closure found in brief reunion with his wife and daughter and learning the cause of his human death, Fluke embraces with fascination and delight the varied heights of canine existence.
 Fluke / int_2726d167
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_2726d167
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_2726d167
 Fluke / int_2764d432
type
Bitch in Sheep's Clothing
 Fluke / int_2764d432
comment
Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: The apparently kindly Miss Birdle alternates between benevolence and vicious cruelty.
 Fluke / int_2764d432
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_2764d432
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_2764d432
 Fluke / int_3c88d6c2
type
Flat "What"
 Fluke / int_3c88d6c2
comment
Flat "What": Of all reincarnated souls, insects are said to be the most spiritually advanced. Fluke is surprised.
 Fluke / int_3c88d6c2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_3c88d6c2
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_3c88d6c2
 Fluke / int_3e74b72e
type
The Pollyanna
 Fluke / int_3e74b72e
comment
The Pollyanna: "Natural optimism" enables animals to recover more quickly than humans from grief.
 Fluke / int_3e74b72e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_3e74b72e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_3e74b72e
 Fluke / int_47d35854
type
Intergenerational Friendship
 Fluke / int_47d35854
comment
Intergenerational Friendship: At several months old, Fluke befriends Rumbo, at about five years old; quite a gap in dog years.
 Fluke / int_47d35854
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_47d35854
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_47d35854
 Fluke / int_4d97e2b9
type
Urine Trouble
 Fluke / int_4d97e2b9
comment
Urine Trouble: The young Fluke unintentionally widdles on his veterinary captor, whose disquiet buys Fluke time to bite the man’s wrist and escape.
 Fluke / int_4d97e2b9
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_4d97e2b9
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_4d97e2b9
 Fluke / int_50f5dabe
type
Reincarnation
 Fluke / int_50f5dabe
comment
Reincarnation: Believed to be commonplace, (although not as much in later Herbert novels); its purpose is for learning of “acceptance from all levels.�
 Fluke / int_50f5dabe
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_50f5dabe
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_50f5dabe
 Fluke / int_58e43f17
type
Cats Are Mean
 Fluke / int_58e43f17
comment
Cats Are Mean: Somewhat deconstructed; Victoria, while horrible to Fluke, seems to act as much out of instinct as malice. A fieldmouse in her clutches rouses sympathy with Fluke’s human tendencies.
 Fluke / int_58e43f17
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_58e43f17
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_58e43f17
 Fluke / int_590eb583
type
Domestic Abuse
 Fluke / int_590eb583
comment
Domestic Abuse: Outwardly kindly Miss Birdle viciously kicks Fluke in the ribs, locks him in a room for three days, and attempts to batter both Fluke and Victoria with a rake.
 Fluke / int_590eb583
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_590eb583
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_590eb583
 Fluke / int_5e2e55e4
type
The Casanova
 Fluke / int_5e2e55e4
comment
The Casanova: Rumbo occasionally disappears for dalliances with lady doggies.
 Fluke / int_5e2e55e4
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_5e2e55e4
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_5e2e55e4
 Fluke / int_6439de78
type
Heroic Sacrifice
 Fluke / int_6439de78
comment
Heroic Sacrifice: While Rumbo defends him from the police, the crooked Guvnor climbs a stack of cars, one of which comes loose and crushes Rumbo to death.
 Fluke / int_6439de78
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_6439de78
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_6439de78
 Fluke / int_66479d0
type
Our Ghosts Are Different
 Fluke / int_66479d0
comment
Our Ghosts Are Different: Insubstantial figures occasionally seen by Fluke and Rumbo have an air of confusion or sorrow. Closer than living humans to the spiritual plane occupied by animals, they haven’t yet reached the level of development surpassed by reincarnation.
 Fluke / int_66479d0
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_66479d0
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_66479d0
 Fluke / int_6bda9a30
type
Meaningful Name
 Fluke / int_6bda9a30
comment
Meaningful Name: Several of the Guvnor's employees place bets on Fluke’s ability to find hidden food. The Guvnor laughingly dismisses the ability as a fluke, and thus christens the dog.
 Fluke / int_6bda9a30
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_6bda9a30
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_6bda9a30
 Fluke / int_70bdac19
type
Honest John's Dealership
 Fluke / int_70bdac19
comment
Honest John's Dealership: The Guvnor’s scrap trade includes illicitly modified cars.
 Fluke / int_70bdac19
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_70bdac19
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_70bdac19
 Fluke / int_7b7f1657
type
Canine Companion
 Fluke / int_7b7f1657
comment
Canine Companion: Despite his principled disdain for domestication, Rumbo is fiercely loyal to the Guvnor, supplier of shelter and occasional food.
 Fluke / int_7b7f1657
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_7b7f1657
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_7b7f1657
 Fluke / int_7cf2f728
type
Boomerang Bigot
 Fluke / int_7cf2f728
comment
Boomerang Bigot: Rumbo maintains a general disdain for other dogs, supposedly for their adherence to humans.
 Fluke / int_7cf2f728
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_7cf2f728
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_7cf2f728
 Fluke / int_7df17d74
type
Dogs Hate Squirrels
 Fluke / int_7df17d74
comment
Dogs Hate Squirrels: Averted. Fluke bids one a cheerful good morning. He's also very happy to find that Rumbo has been reincarnated as one.
 Fluke / int_7df17d74
featureApplicability
-1.0
 Fluke / int_7df17d74
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_7df17d74
 Fluke / int_7ec8506d
type
Animal Talk
 Fluke / int_7ec8506d
comment
Animal Talk: All non-human animals, it seems, have some level of telepathic understanding of both their own and other species; the words between them are thought rather than spoken.
 Fluke / int_7ec8506d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_7ec8506d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_7ec8506d
 Fluke / int_89623e9a
type
The Paragon
 Fluke / int_89623e9a
comment
The Paragon: The badger tells Fluke of the educative, redemptive nature of reincarnation, and ponders that Fluke’s clear retention of human memories may herald a turning point in this cosmic process.
 Fluke / int_89623e9a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_89623e9a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_89623e9a
 Fluke / int_8cb844c6
type
Mr. Exposition
 Fluke / int_8cb844c6
comment
Mr. Exposition: A badger, in regard to the matter of Reincarnation.
 Fluke / int_8cb844c6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_8cb844c6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_8cb844c6
 Fluke / int_95329e8
type
All Dogs Are Purebred
 Fluke / int_95329e8
comment
All Dogs Are Purebred: Averted, Fluke seems to be a crossbreed of labrador and terrier; Rumbo a predominantly dalmatian mongrel.
 Fluke / int_95329e8
featureApplicability
-1.0
 Fluke / int_95329e8
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_95329e8
 Fluke / int_970c8a84
type
Big Fun
 Fluke / int_970c8a84
comment
Big Fun: Jolly, heavily overweight Bella briefly takes in and feeds a rapturously grateful Fluke.
 Fluke / int_970c8a84
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_970c8a84
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_970c8a84
 Fluke / int_98c2a8f2
type
Humans Are Cthulhu
 Fluke / int_98c2a8f2
comment
Humans Are Cthulhu: Fluke’s early impressions of humanity are of inscrutable giants who may bestow threat or kindness.
 Fluke / int_98c2a8f2
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_98c2a8f2
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_98c2a8f2
 Fluke / int_a1b141f4
type
My God, What Have I Done?
 Fluke / int_a1b141f4
comment
My God, What Have I Done?: On attempt to crash the car of business partner Reg, mistakenly believed to have killed him for his wife and business, a revealing memory flash has Fluke stunned with remorse. Happily, both survive relatively unharmed.
 Fluke / int_a1b141f4
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_a1b141f4
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_a1b141f4
 Fluke / int_a8980828
type
Homeless Pigeon Person
 Fluke / int_a8980828
comment
Homeless Person: An elderly homeless man, in his near-death state, may have some understanding of the life story told him by a stray dog.
 Fluke / int_a8980828
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_a8980828
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_a8980828
 Fluke / int_b179eb00
type
Tragic Bromance
 Fluke / int_b179eb00
comment
Tragic Bromance: The closely shared, pragmatic life of Fluke and Rumbo culminates with a police raid on their adopted scrapyard home, in which their kind but crooked master climbs a stack of cars, one of which falls and crushes Rumbo.
 Fluke / int_b179eb00
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_b179eb00
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_b179eb00
 Fluke / int_b43a531c
type
Selective Slaughter
 Fluke / int_b43a531c
comment
Selective Slaughter: Averted; Rumbo’s war on rats is waged with just as much viciousness on a mother and newborns.
 Fluke / int_b43a531c
featureApplicability
-1.0
 Fluke / int_b43a531c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_b43a531c
 Fluke / int_bc74ef27
type
Berserk Button
 Fluke / int_bc74ef27
comment
Berserk Button: Rats stir in Rumbo a fury which scares Fluke. Dogs in general, Fluke says, hate being called dirty.
 Fluke / int_bc74ef27
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_bc74ef27
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_bc74ef27
 Fluke / int_bf414570
type
Cunning Like a Fox
 Fluke / int_bf414570
comment
Cunning Like a Fox: A vixen, encountered in a forest, uses Fluke as a decoy in a farm raid.
 Fluke / int_bf414570
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_bf414570
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_bf414570
 Fluke / int_c24fa49e
type
Dogs Are Dumb
 Fluke / int_c24fa49e
comment
Dogs Are Dumb: Defied. While Rumbo disdains the instinctual naivety of animals in general, and Fluke often laments his own, he ponders human condescension to dogs to be inspired by dogs’ occasional appearance of foolishness, and tendency to overexcitability. He and Rumbo are actually quite shrewd.
 Fluke / int_c24fa49e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_c24fa49e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_c24fa49e
 Fluke / int_c313d43a
type
True Companions
 Fluke / int_c313d43a
comment
True Companions: Survival firmly unites Fluke and Rumbo.
 Fluke / int_c313d43a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_c313d43a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_c313d43a
 Fluke / int_c75df49a
type
Shout-Out
 Fluke / int_c75df49a
comment
Shout-Out: Fluke and Rumbo meet �...the biggest rat I'd ever seen, more than half my size...�
 Fluke / int_c75df49a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_c75df49a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_c75df49a
 Fluke / int_c914e68d
type
Cigar Chomper
 Fluke / int_c914e68d
comment
Cigar Chomper: The Guvnor.
 Fluke / int_c914e68d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_c914e68d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_c914e68d
 Fluke / int_cb1a6514
type
Country Mouse
 Fluke / int_cb1a6514
comment
Country Mouse: Fluke’s previous incarnation, on several farm jobs, acquired an impressive grasp of natural history.
 Fluke / int_cb1a6514
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_cb1a6514
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_cb1a6514
 Fluke / int_d013cd12
type
Lovable Rogue
 Fluke / int_d013cd12
comment
Lovable Rogue: Street-hardened Rumbo can be a bit brusque, but likes a laugh, and cares for Fluke. Lenny, a young employee of the unscrupulous Guvnor, playfully hones Fluke's knack for finding hidden food.
 Fluke / int_d013cd12
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_d013cd12
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_d013cd12
 Fluke / int_d371868b
type
Precious Puppy
 Fluke / int_d371868b
comment
Precious Puppy: An unnamed middle-aged man buys Fluke from a street market, implicitly as compensation for inability to have children. While he’s fond of Fluke, the wife isn’t so keen.
 Fluke / int_d371868b
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_d371868b
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_d371868b
 Fluke / int_d39e327f
type
What the Hell, Hero?
 Fluke / int_d39e327f
comment
What the Hell, Hero?: After Rumbo slaughters a mother and newborn rats, he and Fluke, bewildered by each other’s respective savagery and sentiment, don’t speak for days.
 Fluke / int_d39e327f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_d39e327f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_d39e327f
 Fluke / int_d53ad027
type
Cheerful Child
 Fluke / int_d53ad027
comment
Cheerful Child: Young Gillian is delighted to be acquainted with a somewhat eccentric crossbreed...
 Fluke / int_d53ad027
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_d53ad027
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_d53ad027
 Fluke / int_d7b64870
type
Automobiles Are Alien
 Fluke / int_d7b64870
comment
Automobiles Are Alien: Fluke is initially terrified of cars.
 Fluke / int_d7b64870
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_d7b64870
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_d7b64870
 Fluke / int_dd8deee1
type
Xenofiction
 Fluke / int_dd8deee1
comment
Xenofiction: While animals converse telepathically with each other, their understanding of human society is limited to an instinctual, outside perspective. Due to having been human in previous lives, Fluke and Rumbo have somewhat clearer cognition.
 Fluke / int_dd8deee1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_dd8deee1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_dd8deee1
 Fluke / int_e2406f2f
type
Unexpectedly Human Perception
 Fluke / int_e2406f2f
comment
Unexpectedly Human Perception: Shortly after birth, Fluke is disconcerted by the re-emergence of ability to see colours beyond the range of a dog’s perspective.
 Fluke / int_e2406f2f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_e2406f2f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_e2406f2f
 Fluke / int_e24a1629
type
Sugar-and-Ice Personality
 Fluke / int_e24a1629
comment
Sugar-and-Ice Personality: Fluke senses in the Guvnor a curiously even blend of kindness and cruelty.
 Fluke / int_e24a1629
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_e24a1629
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_e24a1629
 Fluke / int_e24d2d5c
type
Reptiles Are Abhorrent
 Fluke / int_e24d2d5c
comment
Reptiles Are Abhorrent: Averted by a venomous adder with whom Fluke has a friendly chat.
 Fluke / int_e24d2d5c
featureApplicability
-1.0
 Fluke / int_e24d2d5c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_e24d2d5c
 Fluke / int_e3cee2e7
type
Empathic Environment
 Fluke / int_e3cee2e7
comment
Empathic Environment: Discussed, in regard to the bereaved home of Fluke’s previous incarnation. "It’s people who create atmospheres, not wood or brick, nor accessories — they only create surroundings."
 Fluke / int_e3cee2e7
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_e3cee2e7
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_e3cee2e7
 Fluke / int_ec729d5d
type
Wild Wilderness
 Fluke / int_ec729d5d
comment
Wild Wilderness: Fluke finds nightly forests to have an ominously chaotic mystique.
 Fluke / int_ec729d5d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_ec729d5d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_ec729d5d
 Fluke / int_f0c4ce7d
type
The Lost Lenore
 Fluke / int_f0c4ce7d
comment
The Lost Lenore: Inverted; reincarnate memories of Carol and Gillian rouse in Fluke a desperate longing.
 Fluke / int_f0c4ce7d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_f0c4ce7d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_f0c4ce7d
 Fluke / int_f23ad6de
type
Food Porn
 Fluke / int_f23ad6de
comment
Food Porn: Fluke’s persistent hunger leads to tantalisingly vivid descriptions of any available food. If you like sausages, chances are this book will put you in the mood for some.
 Fluke / int_f23ad6de
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_f23ad6de
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_f23ad6de
 Fluke / int_f44ea9dc
type
Howl of Sorrow
 Fluke / int_f44ea9dc
comment
Howl of Sorrow: Fluke, when Rumbo is killed. Fluke again, on confirmation that he’ll never resume his human life.
 Fluke / int_f44ea9dc
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_f44ea9dc
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_f44ea9dc
 Fluke / int_f9741356
type
Kindhearted Cat Lover
 Fluke / int_f9741356
comment
Kind Hearted Cat Lover: Horrifically subverted with Miss Birdle.
 Fluke / int_f9741356
featureApplicability
-0.3
 Fluke / int_f9741356
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_f9741356
 Fluke / int_name
type
ItemName
 Fluke / int_name
comment
 Fluke / int_name
featureApplicability
1.0
 Fluke / int_name
featureConfidence
1.0
 Fluke
hasFeature
Fluke / int_name
 Fluke / int_name
itemName
Fluke

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Fluke
hasFeature
Animal Talk / int_58a1241c
 Fluke
hasFeature
Automobiles Are Alien / int_58a1241c
 Fluke
hasFeature
Big Fun / int_58a1241c
 Fluke
hasFeature
Boomerang Bigot / int_58a1241c
 Fluke
hasFeature
Canine Fiction / int_58a1241c
 Fluke
hasFeature
English Literature / int_58a1241c
 Fluke
hasFeature
Food Porn / int_58a1241c
 Fluke
hasFeature
Heroic Dog / int_58a1241c
 Fluke
hasFeature
Lovable Rogue / int_58a1241c
 Fluke
hasFeature
Reincarnation / int_58a1241c
 Fluke
hasFeature
Supernatural Fiction / int_58a1241c
 Fluke
hasFeature
The Fagin / int_58a1241c
 Fluke
hasFeature
Unexpectedly Human Perception / int_58a1241c