"Famously adapted by Walt Disney in 1961, Dodie Smith's classic tale of a great dog robbery was inspired when a friend idly remarked that Smith's own Dalmatian, also called Pongo, would make a lovely fur coat. While the film may have captured the spirit of the story, it lacks the style and moments of charm and humour that can only be found in Smith's inventive novel: the vivacious antics of Nanny Cook and Nanny Butler, the reason why Cruella, as one feisty pup discovers, tastes of pepper, and the mystery behind the identity of the hundred and oneth Dalmatian"--Provided by publisher