Helpful Score: 5
An absolute wonderful read! You'll laugh and cry throughout this beautifully written novel. I've never read a book that made me cry as much....have those tissues close by. A surprise ending. Animal lovers will especially love this book. Those who aren't animal lovers will do the same. Don't miss this one.
Helpful Score: 5
This was the March 2012 pick in my online book club, The Reading Cove. Be forewarned: depressing, depressing, depressing.
The tone of this book could make you want to slit your wrists! If you've got high energy and are in a good mood, stay away from this book. It will knock you right down.
It's narrated by Helena, a veterinarian who died of breast cancer and left behind a house full of animals for her husband, David, to carry on with. And it's just layer after layer of dreary tragedy; but just not uplifting enough in the end to be justified.
It felt like the main thrust was a commentary about the multi-faceted bond between animals and humans, with a trial that, in the end, was just overly dramatic at times, a playground for the theatrics of a heavy-handed message.
I also think this is a rather macabre premise for the author, who modeled the main characters after his own life, with one exception: his vet wife isn't dead. Interesting that he'd want to explore the idea in this way...
Overall, I give it a generous C for some thoughtful lines and touching moments.
(¯`·.·´¯) (¯`·.·´¯)
`·.¸(¯`·.·´¯)¸ .·
×°× ` ·.¸.·´ ×°×
The tone of this book could make you want to slit your wrists! If you've got high energy and are in a good mood, stay away from this book. It will knock you right down.
It's narrated by Helena, a veterinarian who died of breast cancer and left behind a house full of animals for her husband, David, to carry on with. And it's just layer after layer of dreary tragedy; but just not uplifting enough in the end to be justified.
It felt like the main thrust was a commentary about the multi-faceted bond between animals and humans, with a trial that, in the end, was just overly dramatic at times, a playground for the theatrics of a heavy-handed message.
I also think this is a rather macabre premise for the author, who modeled the main characters after his own life, with one exception: his vet wife isn't dead. Interesting that he'd want to explore the idea in this way...
Overall, I give it a generous C for some thoughtful lines and touching moments.
(¯`·.·´¯) (¯`·.·´¯)
`·.¸(¯`·.·´¯)¸ .·
×°× ` ·.¸.·´ ×°×
Helpful Score: 3
My son bought this for me because it had a dog on the cover. Good start, but I don't think I would have chosen it for myself. Without giving away the story line to much, I'll say, it is sort of depressing. I'm told the arts either provide education or entertainment.... there was some education here, but the education factor just made me sad.
Helpful Score: 3
It is difficult to decide how I feel about this book. I loved it right up until about the last 20 pages. It was wonderful reading and I thought it was set up to end beautifully, but it went in a sadder direction. Still, there were some good things in the end. I would recommend it if you can take some heartbreak, but if not, this may be one to skip.
Helpful Score: 2
This book is narrated by the deceased. She was a wife, a vet and a friend. How her death impacts those she left behind as well, as how she feels about how she lived her life, is explored.
This is not only a book about people. The animals and their impact on their owners lives are a strong secondary storyline. Sometimes it is the main focus.
A riveting story.
This is not only a book about people. The animals and their impact on their owners lives are a strong secondary storyline. Sometimes it is the main focus.
A riveting story.
