In his delightful collection, Plum Pudding, Christopher Morley introduces us to an unassuming yet spirited mutt named “Haphazard Gissing I,” whose talent for mischief brings joy and laughter. This charming canine makes several appearances in The Powder of Sympathy, but it is in Morleys own novel where Gissing truly shines. As the protagonist, he navigates the ups and downs of life, adopts three puppies, embarks on various career adventures, and ultimately seeks the profound question of existence—“where the blue begins.” Morley reflects, “It was strange, since Gissing was so pleasantly situated in life, that he got into these curious adventures that I have to relate. I do not attempt to explain it.” Join Winnifred Assmann and Christopher Morley in this whimsical exploration of life through the eyes of a lovable dog.
