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greybeard49's review against another edition
3.0
A simple enjoyable story. Main strength lies in the author giving the reader a real flavour of the hard life experienced by those farming in the Western Australian outback.
bluestarfish's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet little story about a boy and a dog on his Granpa's farm in the Australian outback.
bianca89279's review against another edition
4.0
'Blue Dog' is a sweet coming-of-age story, set in the Western Australian outback.
The story was cute and somewhat familiar. When city boy Mick finds himself on his paternal grandfather's farm, he doesn't really know what to do with himself. He's very sad, as his father recently passed away and his mum is suffering a mental breakdown that makes her unable to care for him.
His grandad is a typical Aussie farmer, hardened by life in the outback. His house is quite isolated and Mick doesn't have much company. He takes to exploring the farm. On his 12th birthday, he received his father's old motorcycle, which Mick and Taylor Pete, the aboriginal resident who was helping around the farm, start taking apart and putting together. That opens up new opportunities for Mick.
Mick gets lots of skills while on the farm. He survives cyclones and storms. After a cyclone, he finds a red kelpie puppy stuck in a tree. The dog will be named Blue. The two are inseparable, as only a boy and a dog can be.
Sorry, I've given away too much.
It's a short novella, worth reading. I was impressed with the author's grasp of the Australian vernacular and with his knowledge of the life in the Australian bush. I had no idea that Louis de Bernieres wrote 'Red Dog' which was made into a great movie.
At the end of this novella, de Bernieres tells us that he was asked to write the novella, based on the script for the movie 'Blue Dog', an unusual reversal of roles.
I've received this novella via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to publishers for the opportunity to read and review it.
Cover 4.5 stars
The story was cute and somewhat familiar. When city boy Mick finds himself on his paternal grandfather's farm, he doesn't really know what to do with himself. He's very sad, as his father recently passed away and his mum is suffering a mental breakdown that makes her unable to care for him.
His grandad is a typical Aussie farmer, hardened by life in the outback. His house is quite isolated and Mick doesn't have much company. He takes to exploring the farm. On his 12th birthday, he received his father's old motorcycle, which Mick and Taylor Pete, the aboriginal resident who was helping around the farm, start taking apart and putting together. That opens up new opportunities for Mick.
Mick gets lots of skills while on the farm. He survives cyclones and storms. After a cyclone, he finds a red kelpie puppy stuck in a tree. The dog will be named Blue. The two are inseparable, as only a boy and a dog can be.
Sorry, I've given away too much.
It's a short novella, worth reading. I was impressed with the author's grasp of the Australian vernacular and with his knowledge of the life in the Australian bush. I had no idea that Louis de Bernieres wrote 'Red Dog' which was made into a great movie.
At the end of this novella, de Bernieres tells us that he was asked to write the novella, based on the script for the movie 'Blue Dog', an unusual reversal of roles.
I've received this novella via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to publishers for the opportunity to read and review it.
Cover 4.5 stars
hanxiety_in_pink's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I figured today (Blue Monday) was the perfect day to share this sweet little book with you all.
My mum bought this for me on a whim as it reminded her of my childhood teddy, Blue Dog, who is still very well looked after, 35 years young!
I was very grateful for it as I was chasing my 100 reads and it comes in at only 130 pages! Don’t let its small size fool you though, there is a lot of heart packed into it! Set in the Australian outback, eleven year old Mick has lost his father and his mother is unable to look after him so he’s sent to live with his Grandpa on his cattle station. He is confused, lonely, and grieving and the tough life on the station is a shock to the system for a Sydney city boy.
When he finds a lost puppy in the aftermath of a cyclone Mick and his new best friend become inseparable as they grow up together in the long hot days in the dirt. Both Mick and his Grandpa were instantly endearing, despite how different they were, and of course, Blue Dog was an absolute babe! We love a good dog representation over here! The connections Mick made with the adults on the station and beyond were all super heartwarming and this just gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside! The ending did have me in tears though so be prepared for that!
My mum bought this for me on a whim as it reminded her of my childhood teddy, Blue Dog, who is still very well looked after, 35 years young!
I was very grateful for it as I was chasing my 100 reads and it comes in at only 130 pages! Don’t let its small size fool you though, there is a lot of heart packed into it! Set in the Australian outback, eleven year old Mick has lost his father and his mother is unable to look after him so he’s sent to live with his Grandpa on his cattle station. He is confused, lonely, and grieving and the tough life on the station is a shock to the system for a Sydney city boy.
When he finds a lost puppy in the aftermath of a cyclone Mick and his new best friend become inseparable as they grow up together in the long hot days in the dirt. Both Mick and his Grandpa were instantly endearing, despite how different they were, and of course, Blue Dog was an absolute babe! We love a good dog representation over here! The connections Mick made with the adults on the station and beyond were all super heartwarming and this just gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside! The ending did have me in tears though so be prepared for that!
waterbridge147's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
elliejabuelly's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sean67's review against another edition
3.0
I have seen the movie version of Red Dog but have not read the book, this apparently is a prequel, and is full of stereotypical Aussie blokes and scenarios you are almost waiting for stone the flaming crows Ailsa - anyway average read - I wonder if Red Dog itself is a better read?
gwenkooi's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
flailinghippo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jazin95's review against another edition
5.0
After watching the film, I felt it was only right to read the book. The honesty of Australia in the story is excellent. I love the quote, '... but Sydney isn't Australia;' that made me laugh. The whole story is told through the eyes of a child who has lost his father and dealing with a mentally ill mother. The themes of dealing with mental health are placed delicately and with kind and understanding words.
Thought I might include the fun Aussie slang in the story:
Bum nuts
Moo Juice
Cackle berries
Thought I might include the fun Aussie slang in the story:
Bum nuts
Moo Juice
Cackle berries