Novels of Paul De Kock Vol. XIII: Paul and his dog Vol. I captures the disorienting charm of public spectacle and fleeting encounters in a world where masks blur identity and desire. Amid the noise and glamour of a masquerade at the Op ra, the narrative uses a swirl of color, music, and perfume to mirror the unpredictable movements of affection and curiosity. Social interaction becomes a kind of performance, where gesture and appearance often conceal uncertainty or hope. Beneath the surface of festivity lies an exploration of illusion how individuals use disguise not only to deceive others but to escape themselves. The story delves into the shifting boundaries of flirtation and sincerity, showing how excitement can quickly unravel into confusion or self-reflection. The city s nightscape becomes a backdrop for unspoken questions about longing, recognition, and personal truth, framed by the fragility of connections formed in a space where nothing is entirely as it seems. Rather than resolve these contradictions, the novel allows them to linger.