Franchesca M. (short-angry14) -
Helpful Score: 5
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing creature. I have long been a Dean Koontz fan, however, this book has placed him in another realm for me. I had no idea what a huge heart this man has, and this book exposes him in a way that was wonderful and painful at the same time. Trixie was a gorgeous, wonderful dog, and this book is a must read for dog lovers and fans of Koontz alike. An absolutely unexpected GEM!
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
Helpful Score: 3
What a wonderful book! This is a real treasure for both dog lovers and fans of Dean Koontz (I happen to be both). It is a celebration of this furry member of the family and one can only fall in love with her along the way. It is humorous and beautiful, but I was crying in the end. Still, it is told with wonderful observations and insight. I highly recommend!
Konnie K. (Nightcrawler) -
Helpful Score: 2
This story is about Trixie, a Canine Companion for Independence dog, adopted by best-selling author Dean Koontz and his wife Gurda when the dog was three years old. While Dean Koontz's books are notoriously suspenseful and frightening, This one is warm and written with great humor and love for the "magical" dog.
Mr. Koontz's philosphy of life and death in wound into this book and through the story of Trixie and how she impacted his way of looking at the world and his writing.
I wound recommend this book to any animal loving person.
Mr. Koontz's philosphy of life and death in wound into this book and through the story of Trixie and how she impacted his way of looking at the world and his writing.
I wound recommend this book to any animal loving person.
Kayce H. (kayceh) - , reviewed A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog on + 62 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I LOVED this book. Capital L-O-V-E-D!
This is such a great memoir of an amazing Golden Retriever named Trixie! I have never read a Dean Koontz book before, mainly because he writes a genre that is not my cup of tea, but he is a laugh out loud author. There were SEVERAL parts of this book that I laughed to myself and read the story with a smile. I took my time with this book because I wanted to enjoy Trixie's life through her memory. She was indeed a VERY special dog.
I cried too. :( I had fallen in love with Trixie early on with this book and it was hard to read about the end of her life. It brought back memories of dogs from my past that it was devastating to lose. It's a heartbreak like no other. But one day when we are reunited in Heaven, it will be the most wonderful feeling in the world to see all those dogs rushing towards me, happy and healthy and to spend an eternity together.
I can't wait to meet Trixie up there, too. I highly recommend this book to any pet owner. Grab a blanket, curl up by the fireplace, and get to know a really special dog named Trixie.
Kudos to Dean and his wife, Gerda, for giving this dog a blissful life and for honoring her memory both in the writing of this story as well as the other efforts they do for Canine Companions for Independence.
This is such a great memoir of an amazing Golden Retriever named Trixie! I have never read a Dean Koontz book before, mainly because he writes a genre that is not my cup of tea, but he is a laugh out loud author. There were SEVERAL parts of this book that I laughed to myself and read the story with a smile. I took my time with this book because I wanted to enjoy Trixie's life through her memory. She was indeed a VERY special dog.
I cried too. :( I had fallen in love with Trixie early on with this book and it was hard to read about the end of her life. It brought back memories of dogs from my past that it was devastating to lose. It's a heartbreak like no other. But one day when we are reunited in Heaven, it will be the most wonderful feeling in the world to see all those dogs rushing towards me, happy and healthy and to spend an eternity together.
I can't wait to meet Trixie up there, too. I highly recommend this book to any pet owner. Grab a blanket, curl up by the fireplace, and get to know a really special dog named Trixie.
Kudos to Dean and his wife, Gerda, for giving this dog a blissful life and for honoring her memory both in the writing of this story as well as the other efforts they do for Canine Companions for Independence.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a fantastic book! People who have had dogs will especially appreciate this, but it also for fans of the well-written word. Though there are a few times when Koontz seems to ramble on a bit too much, overall, it's a tight book obviously written by a fiction writer. Highly recommended- especially for dog lovers!
Marcia S. (busterboomer) reviewed A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog on + 96 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book!!! If you own a dog, you have to read this one. The author Dean Koontz did an excellent job of writing about his dog Trixie. Towards the end of the book, get the tissues ready because you are going to need them. As a dog owner, there is a special bond and he talks about that. I gave myself some planned time to finish the book and sobbed my heart out. Then one of my dogs, Boomer, laid and curled up on my chest and licked my face after I was done crying. This is also an excellent gift if you know someone who is a dog owner.
What a nice surprise this book was. Knowing Koontz'
genre of fiction I was surprised by his humor and
compassion. Trixie sounds like a wonderful golden
retriever and her loss was so sad. I have had a golden
also and she is sorely missed. Great book - great
story!
genre of fiction I was surprised by his humor and
compassion. Trixie sounds like a wonderful golden
retriever and her loss was so sad. I have had a golden
also and she is sorely missed. Great book - great
story!
Dog lovers will laugh and cry at this sweet biography of this special member of the Koontz family. The author gives a glimpse into his personal life while showing us the special way this beloved animal left a mark on the world and so many hearts. This is a lovely, heartwarming story.
I had this book on my wish list for a couple of years..I had actually forgotten about it..then..my precious 12 yr old dog Sofie, became critically ill, and we had to have her euthanized. Needless to say,it was the hardest thing we have ever had to do, and we were heartbroken. We couldn't even speak of her without sobbing. Then..a small miracle happened..I got the book "A Big Little Life A Memoir of a Joyful Dog" in the mail..not a week after losing Sofie..I read it cover to cover, and laughed and sobbed with it for 2 days..it was such a blessing to have it arrive when it did..and more than a coincidence it think! Dean Koontz and his wife loved their dog Trixie with all their hearts, and that love shows through in each page written..this is one of the BEST books I have ever had the pleasure to read..I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever had a pet that was a member of the family..and who has shared that deep love between animal and human..
ONLY Dean Koontz could have written this book! I love all of his books however this book holds a special place in my heart and I will keep it. I know it is one which I shall read many times!
I thought this was an incredible book. I passed it on to my mother, who doesn't read much but is a dog lover. She read it in one evening. For anyone who likes Dean Koontz, this is a really neat look into his personal life. It is also a deeply moving book about a dog. I cried at the end.
Evelyn B. (grannydingdong) reviewed A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog on + 46 more book reviews
This is the most fantastic, personal, book I have ever read about someone's dog. I am generally not a fan of the kind of books that Dean Koontz writes, not that he is not a great storyteller.
But, this book is so much out of the realm of what he generally writes, that I literally could not put it down. It is such a heart-rending, personal, loving tribute to his 'daughter' Trixie.
In reading this book, I learned so much more about the great author, as a person, and he gives so much of his personal life and beliefs to his readers in this memoir.
This is truly an amazing book about an amazing dog by an amazing author.
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
But, this book is so much out of the realm of what he generally writes, that I literally could not put it down. It is such a heart-rending, personal, loving tribute to his 'daughter' Trixie.
In reading this book, I learned so much more about the great author, as a person, and he gives so much of his personal life and beliefs to his readers in this memoir.
This is truly an amazing book about an amazing dog by an amazing author.
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
Connie L. (bookfan59) reviewed A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog on + 27 more book reviews
Absolutely wonderful true story.
Bobbie M. (BobbiesZoo) reviewed A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog on + 107 more book reviews
If you love dogs, you will love this story, even knowing how it ends. What a dog. What a lucky man for finding this dog.
Nancy M. (bulldoglover22) reviewed A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog on + 105 more book reviews
I am about 3/4 of the way to the end of this book and I LOVE it so much. I am an avid reader, yet I have never read any of Dean Koontz' books. I know many of the other books he has written are a lot different in nature, but this book is outstanding. I do not have a Golden Retriever, but I am a dog lover who has owned english bulldogs for quite some time. No matter what breed you may love or own, this book will certainly warm your heart. I highly recommend it - even though I have not even finished it yet!!!
Amber C. (amberlicious) reviewed A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog on + 21 more book reviews
A great dog lovers story. Trixie is a special dog and the story shows the bond between dog and man. They change our lives in so many ways. Dean Koontz' account of his little goldie was heart warming.
Dana W. (SouthWestZippy) -
Was not expecting and Memoir about Dean and wife was expecting it to be about Trixie. Now don't get me wrong, Trixie does get talked about just not as much as the Author talks about, well, lots of stuff. Oh well, it was a book to read while passing the time in the Hospice waiting room.
Not my type of book.
Not my type of book.
One of my favorite books.
was wonderful, loved it.
It was an excellent book that reflected the authors love for his dog. I enjoyed the stories about Trixie, she was truly a special dog.
This was a very loving, touching life of the golden retriever that belonged to Dean Kootnz. I have had golden retrievers and am also very fond of the breed. It is one of my favorite dog stories.
