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A Dog's Purpose
A Dog's Purpose
Author: W. Bruce Cameron
A Novel for Humans — This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here? — Surprised...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780765366764
ISBN-10: 0765366762
Publication Date: 7/1/2010
Pages: 319
Rating:
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 40

4.3 stars, based on 40 ratings
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates Book
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed A Dog's Purpose on + 62 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Ive read a lot of books. That is obvious considering this years challenge and the purpose of this blog. But A Dogs Purpose has shot immediately to my all time Top Five list of favorite books. I usually shy away from animal stories for the sole reason that I dont want to read about anything sad happening to an animal. But this book took me on a heartwarming journey that left my heart smiling and me wanting more of it!

W. Bruce Cameron writes in a beautiful way and crafts a story of a dogs life from the dogs point of view. (Reminiscient of The Art of Racing in the Rain.) Its hard not to fall in love with Bailey from the very beginning, laughing out loud at his thoughts on human behavior and interaction. Bailey is such a good dog and his bond with Ethan is instant. This is an endearing, witty, insightful, and wonderfully told story. While there are twists and turns and Bailey is reborn, I loved the authors imagination the entire time and did not want this book to end. I dont usually say that about a book simply because I get so excited I cant wait to see what happens next. But I fell in love with Bailey and I wanted to spend more and more time with him!

Surprisingly deep, there are more layers to this book than I expected and I loved every minute of it. Everything that happens to Bailey has a purpose and often I found myself with happy tears and smiling. The ending was done beautifully and will leave the reader more than satisfied.

For all dog lovers, I suggest you get a copy of this book today and cuddle up with your loved pups while you read it! This book will make you wonder what your dogs think and really want to love them even more. I cannot imagine a life without them. This is a book Ill be keeping (which is rare; typical protocol is to read them then swap them either on PaperBackSwap or give to someone else.) But this one I know Ill read again and want to share with friends and family.

For more information on the book, or to nominate your pup in the Dog of the Week contest on the authors webpage, visit www.adogspurpose.com. Stay tuned for an author spotlight on W. Bruce Cameron!

http://bookwormz2010.wordpress.com/2010/11/17/book-42-fabookulous/
iluvlibros avatar reviewed A Dog's Purpose on + 73 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
As a dog owner, this book definitely tugged at my heartstrings. Some parts made me laugh, other parts broke my heart . . and I just couldn't put it down. The story was so believable--I really felt like it was written by a dog. I would recommend this to dog owners and dog lovers alike.
reviewed A Dog's Purpose on
Helpful Score: 3
Very heart warming. It's nice to see a different perspective. I hug my dog so much now after reading this. Loved the book.
Shervivor avatar reviewed A Dog's Purpose on + 97 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
WOW! I received this book after it had been on my wish list for an extended period of time. I had forgotten what it was about so I opened the book to read the first page just to remind myself...And I didn't put the book down until I had read the entire thing! What a beautiful, touching novel. It was different than other books I have read from the view of the family pet as the dog in this story only has his own thoughts and isn't able to communicate with humans or other animals. The story is about how dogs have a purpose in the lives of humans.

I cried four times while reading this novel, and they were not all tears of sadness. There were parts of the book that were endearing, humorous and also sad. The story as a whole is one of beauty and love.

If you love animals you should give this book a try; you will not regret it. Even if you are a cat lover you will find moments in the book that make you smile wide.
writing-writer avatar reviewed A Dog's Purpose on + 46 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
You may call him Toby, Baily, Ellie (in this case, he was a she), or Buddy because he'll answer to all of them.
This book was splendidly told, and very believable. Our hero lives and dies, and, through reincarnation (very strange), lives and dies again... 3 times!! However, through each life he prepares for his next, and saves and changes lives of the human's around him.

A very sweet story with a few overlookable oddities.
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ilovebooksanddogs avatar reviewed A Dog's Purpose on + 360 more book reviews
This book WAS amazing! I have had it on my bookshelf for a long time and never realized it was a novel until I started seeing previews for the film (which by the way also looks amazing) so I pulled it down the other night and began reading it and COULD NOT put it down. I stayed up most of the night reading it and needless to say I was pretty worthless at work the next day but don't care! Beautiful story and a new way to look at our companions through life. Maybe they are here to take care of us? Who would have guessed? :) I have always known this! but anyhow just saying.... this book truly touched my heart and will remain forever as one of my favorite books of all time! Pick it up...you will not be disappointed.
bookgoddessme avatar reviewed A Dog's Purpose on + 106 more book reviews
I didn't have the same experience with this book that many others had. Telling the story from the dog's point of view was sweet and successful. I just didn't buy the concept or have my heartstrings tugged by the albeit sweet and emotional telling of the dog's lives. Try it, you might like it. I do love dogs, and will always remember the insight from the dog's point of view on human's confusing behavior.
n2deep2quit avatar reviewed A Dog's Purpose on
Well done - surprisingly so.
I've found the danger in these types of books is often they can be somewhat overly sentimental. Even saccharine. I felt the author did a good job of writing from the dog's perspective yet not overly humanizing the animal. I liked that.

It kept my interest, was easy to read, but still had some depth.

I loved it.
reviewed A Dog's Purpose on + 4 more book reviews
An interesting book written from the dog's perspective....all dog lovers should enjoy ...I do like The Art of Racing in the Rain better
pezlady avatar reviewed A Dog's Purpose on + 4 more book reviews
I laughed, I cried--repeatedly! I choose to believe that this author knows what a dog really thinks and that makes death ok, euthanasia ok, love and devotion ok.... I totally adored this book. You will never look at your dog the same way after reading it.
hardtack avatar reviewed A Dog's Purpose on + 2701 more book reviews
A good book, but I have no interest in reading the sequel.

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