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pammysue1957's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed reading this book and have even put some of Trixie's books on reserve at my local library. Not happy with the ending, but that is how it always ends with the dogs we love.
elusivek's review against another edition
4.0
I have never read anything from Dean Koontz (well, I haven't heard of him before this book either - I bought this book purely for the Doggie factor) so this book has actually got me interested to read some of Koontz's books.
The life of Trixie is amazing, and many times I find myself comparing her antics with my own dogs'. I had known since the beginning that this book will end with the inevitable end, which I dreaded reading as I turned each page.
Either way, this book has made many a memory of my dogs, past and current, resurface. I instinctively knew of the signs and symptoms before things happened and I already started crying when the Koontz's went to their friend Mike's house near the end of the book.
There are many lines in this book that I loved deeply; these would make such good quotes about dogs.
Overall, I enjoyed this book (and it seems that Koontz easily starts rambling and digressing over things too). Recommended to all dog lovers.
The life of Trixie is amazing, and many times I find myself comparing her antics with my own dogs'. I had known since the beginning that this book will end with the inevitable end, which I dreaded reading as I turned each page.
Either way, this book has made many a memory of my dogs, past and current, resurface. I instinctively knew of the signs and symptoms before things happened and I already started crying when the Koontz's went to their friend Mike's house near the end of the book.
There are many lines in this book that I loved deeply; these would make such good quotes about dogs.
Overall, I enjoyed this book (and it seems that Koontz easily starts rambling and digressing over things too). Recommended to all dog lovers.
bethvf's review against another edition
4.0
I adored this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves dogs. It made me laugh and made me cry and in many, many places I wanted to yell "YES"! Mr. Koontz's theories are so in keeping with many of my beliefs about dogs and their place in our lives.
laurla's review against another edition
the ending made me bawl. i gotta stop reading dog stories where the dog always dies in the end.
"dogs' lives are short, too short, but you know that going in. you know the pain is coming, you're going to lose a dog, and there's going to be great anguish, so you live fully in the moment with her, never fail to share her joy or delight in her innocence, because you can't support the illusion that a dog can be your lifelong companion. there's such beauty in the hard honesty of that, in accepting and giving love while always aware it comes with an unbearable price. maybe loving dogs is a way we do penance for all the other illusions we allow ourselves and for the mistakes we make because of those illusions." - i must admit i was never aware of the price of losing a beloved dog when i first fell in love with them. and i've never thought of them as anything less than lifelong companions, though i realize now that's just not possible. and i realize now that i have set myself up for great anguish when puppy and molly pass. but i need them in my life. i need their joy, their enthusiasm, their innocence for however short a time i may have it.
"few human beings give of themselves to another as a dog gives of itself. i also suspect that we cherish dogs because their unblemished souls make us wish - consciously or unconsciously that we were as innocent as they are, and make us yearn for a place where innocence is universal and where the meanness, the betrayals, and the cruelties of this world are unknown." -
"dogs' lives are short, too short, but you know that going in. you know the pain is coming, you're going to lose a dog, and there's going to be great anguish, so you live fully in the moment with her, never fail to share her joy or delight in her innocence, because you can't support the illusion that a dog can be your lifelong companion. there's such beauty in the hard honesty of that, in accepting and giving love while always aware it comes with an unbearable price. maybe loving dogs is a way we do penance for all the other illusions we allow ourselves and for the mistakes we make because of those illusions." - i must admit i was never aware of the price of losing a beloved dog when i first fell in love with them. and i've never thought of them as anything less than lifelong companions, though i realize now that's just not possible. and i realize now that i have set myself up for great anguish when puppy and molly pass. but i need them in my life. i need their joy, their enthusiasm, their innocence for however short a time i may have it.
"few human beings give of themselves to another as a dog gives of itself. i also suspect that we cherish dogs because their unblemished souls make us wish - consciously or unconsciously that we were as innocent as they are, and make us yearn for a place where innocence is universal and where the meanness, the betrayals, and the cruelties of this world are unknown." -
papi's review against another edition
5.0
Though I've always enjoyed Dean Kontz's fiction, I never thought I would appreciate a book of his as much as I did A Big Little Life. To my knowledge, this is his first foray into non-fiction, and it was warm, loving, gentle, thoughtful and even inspired in many ways. Like some of the best books I've read, I kept putting this one down, not to understand better what he was saying, but simply to bask in the warmth of his love for Trixie, and to ponder on the words of wisdom that he wrote. I found myself taking note of the truths in much of what he wrote. Consider the following quotes from the book:
• A line from “East Coker,” by T.S. Eliot: “The only wisdom we can hope to acquire / Is the wisdom of humility.”
• “As any dog is remarkably grateful for each kindness it receives, Gerda and I were grateful for every day this joyous creature graced our lives. The only wisdom is humility, which engenders gratitude, and humility is the condition of the heart essential for us to know peace.”
• “Because we are imperfect beings who are self-blinded to the truth of the world’s stunning complexity, we shave reality into paper-thin theories and ideologies that we can easily grasp, and we call them truths. But the truth of a sea, in all its immensity, cannot be embodied in one tide-washed pebble.”
• “We go wrong when we don’t admit the unknowable complexity of reality, but we go dangerously wrong when we claim that one pale story – or an anthology of them – is truth. We arrive at the paleness to avoid consideration of the daunting truth in all its fierce color and infinite detail.”
• “In each little life, we can see great truth and beauty, and in each little life we glimpse the way of all things in the universe. If we allow ourselves to be enchanted by the beauty of the ordinary, we begin to see that all things are extraordinary. If we allow ourselves to be humbled by what we do not and cannot know, in our humility we are exalted.”
• “…the joy arising from innocence, from harmony with nature and natural law, must be the most exhilarating feeling either dog or human could hope to experience…the flight from innocence so characteristic of our time is a leap into absurdity and insanity.”
• “…God is never cruel, there is a reason for all things. We must know the pain of loss because if we never knew it, we would have no compassion for others, and we would become monsters of self-regard, creatures of unalloyed self-interest. The terrible pain of loss teaches humility to our prideful kind, has the power to soften uncaring hearts, to make a better person of a good one.”
• “This world is infinitely layered and mysterious. Every day of our lives, we see far more than we can comprehend, and because the failure to comprehend disquiets us, we lie to ourselves about what we see. We want a simple world, but we live in one that is magnificently complex. Rather than acknowledge the exquisite roundness of creation, we take it in thin slices, and we view each slice through tinted, distorting lenses that further diminish its beauty and obscure truths that await recognition. Complexity implies meaning, and we are afraid of meaning.”
• “…the only significant measure of your life is the positive effect you have on others, either by conscious acts of will or by unconscious example. Every smallest act of kindness – even just words of hope when they are needed, the remembrance of a birthday, the compliment that engenders a smile – has the potential to change the recipient’s life.”
I checked out A Big Little Life from the library to read, but I appreciated its wisdom so much that I think I will go buy my own copy for my library. Over the years, I have become choosier about what I buy and keep, and this one is a keeper!
• A line from “East Coker,” by T.S. Eliot: “The only wisdom we can hope to acquire / Is the wisdom of humility.”
• “As any dog is remarkably grateful for each kindness it receives, Gerda and I were grateful for every day this joyous creature graced our lives. The only wisdom is humility, which engenders gratitude, and humility is the condition of the heart essential for us to know peace.”
• “Because we are imperfect beings who are self-blinded to the truth of the world’s stunning complexity, we shave reality into paper-thin theories and ideologies that we can easily grasp, and we call them truths. But the truth of a sea, in all its immensity, cannot be embodied in one tide-washed pebble.”
• “We go wrong when we don’t admit the unknowable complexity of reality, but we go dangerously wrong when we claim that one pale story – or an anthology of them – is truth. We arrive at the paleness to avoid consideration of the daunting truth in all its fierce color and infinite detail.”
• “In each little life, we can see great truth and beauty, and in each little life we glimpse the way of all things in the universe. If we allow ourselves to be enchanted by the beauty of the ordinary, we begin to see that all things are extraordinary. If we allow ourselves to be humbled by what we do not and cannot know, in our humility we are exalted.”
• “…the joy arising from innocence, from harmony with nature and natural law, must be the most exhilarating feeling either dog or human could hope to experience…the flight from innocence so characteristic of our time is a leap into absurdity and insanity.”
• “…God is never cruel, there is a reason for all things. We must know the pain of loss because if we never knew it, we would have no compassion for others, and we would become monsters of self-regard, creatures of unalloyed self-interest. The terrible pain of loss teaches humility to our prideful kind, has the power to soften uncaring hearts, to make a better person of a good one.”
• “This world is infinitely layered and mysterious. Every day of our lives, we see far more than we can comprehend, and because the failure to comprehend disquiets us, we lie to ourselves about what we see. We want a simple world, but we live in one that is magnificently complex. Rather than acknowledge the exquisite roundness of creation, we take it in thin slices, and we view each slice through tinted, distorting lenses that further diminish its beauty and obscure truths that await recognition. Complexity implies meaning, and we are afraid of meaning.”
• “…the only significant measure of your life is the positive effect you have on others, either by conscious acts of will or by unconscious example. Every smallest act of kindness – even just words of hope when they are needed, the remembrance of a birthday, the compliment that engenders a smile – has the potential to change the recipient’s life.”
I checked out A Big Little Life from the library to read, but I appreciated its wisdom so much that I think I will go buy my own copy for my library. Over the years, I have become choosier about what I buy and keep, and this one is a keeper!
twinmomesq2012's review against another edition
4.0
Heartwarming story of a very special dog
I have read many Dean Koontz novels over the years and recall reading his newsletter and the mentions of his dog Trixie. This book tells the story of Trixie’s life with Dean and his wife. I’m a sucker for a good story about a golden retriever.
I have read many Dean Koontz novels over the years and recall reading his newsletter and the mentions of his dog Trixie. This book tells the story of Trixie’s life with Dean and his wife. I’m a sucker for a good story about a golden retriever.
yooperann's review against another edition
1.0
It's hard to imagine that a slight book about a perfectly sweet and charming dog could be so wretched, but Dean Koontz manages to write one. I've got two main objections:
1. The author's ego. No one has ever worked so many hours in every day and every week for so many years. No one. He has to tell us that the hallway in his house is lined with all the editions of his books--more than 5000 total. He has to tell us, repeatedly, how generous he's been to the companion dog program he supports and yet how surprised and yes, humbled, he was when he put up all the money for a lodge and they surprised him by naming it after him.
2. The combative tone. This is someone who sees the world in absolute black and white, to the point where he'll make up a straw man just so he can decisively knock it down. The anti-poverty program he very briefly worked for (and by extension all anti-poverty programs) was corrupt and only made things worse for the poor. Government harasses widows and does nothing about dangerous dogs. Dogs are afraid of mountain lions, which proves that they understand death. Although unspecified people insist that dogs don't remember anything, why, behold, they remember people they've met much later. He even at one point describes people who don't really understand dogs as "liberal elites."
The dog is lovely.
1. The author's ego. No one has ever worked so many hours in every day and every week for so many years. No one. He has to tell us that the hallway in his house is lined with all the editions of his books--more than 5000 total. He has to tell us, repeatedly, how generous he's been to the companion dog program he supports and yet how surprised and yes, humbled, he was when he put up all the money for a lodge and they surprised him by naming it after him.
2. The combative tone. This is someone who sees the world in absolute black and white, to the point where he'll make up a straw man just so he can decisively knock it down. The anti-poverty program he very briefly worked for (and by extension all anti-poverty programs) was corrupt and only made things worse for the poor. Government harasses widows and does nothing about dangerous dogs. Dogs are afraid of mountain lions, which proves that they understand death. Although unspecified people insist that dogs don't remember anything, why, behold, they remember people they've met much later. He even at one point describes people who don't really understand dogs as "liberal elites."
The dog is lovely.
dtaylorbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I saw this book at BEA, saw it was Dean Koontz and yoink! Mine! In all honesty, I've never read a Dean Koontz book. I know I should. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. But despite that, in my mind's eye he's right up there with Stephen King in the realm of prolific and respect. He wouldn't be where he is today if he wasn't good at his job and didn't garner the huge amount of respect that he does. But still, I had to have this book.
I wasn't sure what I was getting into with it. I was just coming off of a string of not-so-stellar adult books but I remained neutral about this one. It's Dean Koontz after all. And as soon as I started reading, the last thing I wanted to do was put the book down.
Dean Koontz is such a down to earth guy. He comes from beyond humble beginnings and he got to where he is today because he worked his ass off. It makes me happy knowing that he really didn't start reaching success (by writing standards) until he was in his mid-thirties. It gives me hope! The book goes into a little detail about how he met his wife and how amazingly in love they were and still are. So much so that they never had children because they felt that would interfere in their time together. While some (well, maybe many) may look at that and go WTF?, I can totally respect that. Not everyone are destined to be parents. It would appear that the Koontz's were those type of people.
But this book isn't about Dean and Gerda. Not really. It's about Trixie and the profound effect she had on them. Adopting Trixie from the Canine Companions for Independence allowed Dean and Gerda to become parents to one of the greatest animals that ever walked this earth. While I'm talking about dogs in general, the way Trixie is described, she could very well be one of the greatest animals that ever walked this earth. She makes my dogs look feral by comparison.
Koontz comes at this story with a sense of dry humor that can just make you laugh uncontrollably, even in the most dire situations that they went through. Even at the end, when Trixie was on her last legs, the things she did, with hindsight anyway, were worthy of a few chuckles. No, I don't think that's morbid because as a pet owner, the last thing you want to remember about your dog is the sorrow she brought you when she was dying but the joy she brought you when she was alive. And the photos of Trixie and her parents only add to the humor and smiles that the words bring you.
Any pet owner can relate to the intense emotions that Dean and Gerda felt towards Trixie. It's something that's rare amongst humans towards other humans. We can't really give ourselves that thoroughly to one another, allow that must trust because something can still happen. With dogs, their love is unconditional and irrevocable. They love you because you're you. They don't hold a grudge, they don't get pissy with you, they won't burn your clothes. They love you and that's it. And it's to them that you can trust 100% and open your heart fully to without fear of having it stomped on.
This is a memoir of a dog but it's also a memoir of human feelings as a result of that dog coming into their lives. They change us. They make us see the world in a different light and just like any other parents, we dog owners want to protect and love and care for our dogs as if they were our own children. Because they are.
This book also made me not feel so guilty about my mourning of my first dog's death. It was about a year before I actually got over it, it had affected me so deeply. The Koontz's weren't far behind that. Dogs can be children. They can teach us things. They love us. Hell, they even act like people! The part about Trixie actually speaking, and not just woof, was amazing! This dog truly was exceptional and the Koontz's were very lucky to have been bestowed with such a wonderful and pure being.
While Trixie makes me look at my own hellspawn and go, "Why must you pee on my bed and eat my sheets?" she also makes me look at him and go, "You are my dude and I will do for you what I would do for my own child."
If you're a dog lover, you'll want to read this book. No doubt you'll be as touched as I was.
I wasn't sure what I was getting into with it. I was just coming off of a string of not-so-stellar adult books but I remained neutral about this one. It's Dean Koontz after all. And as soon as I started reading, the last thing I wanted to do was put the book down.
Dean Koontz is such a down to earth guy. He comes from beyond humble beginnings and he got to where he is today because he worked his ass off. It makes me happy knowing that he really didn't start reaching success (by writing standards) until he was in his mid-thirties. It gives me hope! The book goes into a little detail about how he met his wife and how amazingly in love they were and still are. So much so that they never had children because they felt that would interfere in their time together. While some (well, maybe many) may look at that and go WTF?, I can totally respect that. Not everyone are destined to be parents. It would appear that the Koontz's were those type of people.
But this book isn't about Dean and Gerda. Not really. It's about Trixie and the profound effect she had on them. Adopting Trixie from the Canine Companions for Independence allowed Dean and Gerda to become parents to one of the greatest animals that ever walked this earth. While I'm talking about dogs in general, the way Trixie is described, she could very well be one of the greatest animals that ever walked this earth. She makes my dogs look feral by comparison.
Koontz comes at this story with a sense of dry humor that can just make you laugh uncontrollably, even in the most dire situations that they went through. Even at the end, when Trixie was on her last legs, the things she did, with hindsight anyway, were worthy of a few chuckles. No, I don't think that's morbid because as a pet owner, the last thing you want to remember about your dog is the sorrow she brought you when she was dying but the joy she brought you when she was alive. And the photos of Trixie and her parents only add to the humor and smiles that the words bring you.
Any pet owner can relate to the intense emotions that Dean and Gerda felt towards Trixie. It's something that's rare amongst humans towards other humans. We can't really give ourselves that thoroughly to one another, allow that must trust because something can still happen. With dogs, their love is unconditional and irrevocable. They love you because you're you. They don't hold a grudge, they don't get pissy with you, they won't burn your clothes. They love you and that's it. And it's to them that you can trust 100% and open your heart fully to without fear of having it stomped on.
This is a memoir of a dog but it's also a memoir of human feelings as a result of that dog coming into their lives. They change us. They make us see the world in a different light and just like any other parents, we dog owners want to protect and love and care for our dogs as if they were our own children. Because they are.
This book also made me not feel so guilty about my mourning of my first dog's death. It was about a year before I actually got over it, it had affected me so deeply. The Koontz's weren't far behind that. Dogs can be children. They can teach us things. They love us. Hell, they even act like people! The part about Trixie actually speaking, and not just woof, was amazing! This dog truly was exceptional and the Koontz's were very lucky to have been bestowed with such a wonderful and pure being.
While Trixie makes me look at my own hellspawn and go, "Why must you pee on my bed and eat my sheets?" she also makes me look at him and go, "You are my dude and I will do for you what I would do for my own child."
If you're a dog lover, you'll want to read this book. No doubt you'll be as touched as I was.
ccookie49's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a heartwarming book. Five stars for Trixie more than the book itself, although never having read a Dean Koontz novel, that will probably change now. Golden Retrievers are amazing dogs and Trixie was a very special one. If love dogs, it will be impossible not to fall in love with Trixie.