Reviews with content warning for Self harm - Dog Days

I really wish I had read more reviews before delving into this book, as it is very, very mismarketed in my opinion. This is really not acceptable, as a lot of the content in this book is heavily traumatic and triggering, and not handled in a way that is suitable for many readers who have experienced the issues described. If you find yourself often distressed by difficult content in books, I'd advise skipping this one, or at least checking the content warnings on reviewing platforms. It is really not responsibly marketed; the blurb's trite assertion that this is a book about "three people learning to make connections and find joy in living off the leash" is pretty horrible, actually, when re-read after finishing the novel. That is one of the key reasons my star rating is so low, despite the fact that the quality of the prose and character development is quite strong. The author is definitely talented, and actually I would like to read her work again, but this is a really flawed book that needed much more sophisticated and involved work from the editorial and marketing teams.

I've seen a lot of reviews comparing this book to Eleanor Oliphant I'd Completely Fine, but I would absolutely disagree. Eleanor Oliphant is a story which allows the reader to really and thoroughly work through the main character's trauma and the obstacles she encounters alongside her; despite some heartbreaking lows, there is an overall sense of hope. This book almost completely lacks that for me, as two of the three main narratives end in different kinds of tragedy.

However, the worst tragedy of this book happens far, far too close to the end of the book, leaving the reader with no opportunity to process it. You have no sense of recovery; one of the main character's finds their lover dead after he has committed suicide, and there is very detailed description of the scene. There is no time for the character to heal, and we're even made to understand that he is never able to really open his heart to romantic love again, and only settles for a relationship that he's moderately happy in.

There is also a depiction of a woman with ASD, exacerbated by postpartum depression/PTSD after a miscarriage. This could have been a really nuanced and incisive opportunity for representing a neurodiverse character who has gone through a common but deeply traumatic life event; instead, the plot twist in her arc is demeaning and reductive

as it is revealed that she turned to domestically abusing her husband as a coping mechanism.

Although I am certain this has happened in real life on occasions, it is a deeply irresponsible way to present a character who many readers will be looking to in order to feel represented and seen.

I was also incredibly infuriated by the prologue/opening scene, which shows a snapshot of the three main characters and their respective secondary characters, all well and relatively happy. This lulls the reader into a false sense of security, indicating that you will get a hopeful and uplifting conclusion, but as I've outlined above, you really don't. I do not have a problem with books that show life's problems sometimes cannot be easily, wholly resolved. There is plenty of room in the market for heavier books which look at the sadder parts of reality. But it is so incredibly irresponsible and infuriating to see a book which is completely presented through its marketing and its opening moments as a hopeful, uplifting read, but that will have many of its readers walking away feeling deeply upset, even actively distressed by how some of the themes are handled.

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epellicci's review

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Dog Days is a book that will stay with me for a long time. The story rotates through three main characters lives, exploring love, loss, and moving on with soulful class and gentle wit. It is light, easy reading and I loved it from the first chapter. Waller deals with intense topics in a way that is emotionally intelligent. She doesn't sugar coat, minimise, or stigmatise her characters challenges or their behaviour. The book doesn't feel like it is trying to fix anyone, and because of this it is relatable and heartfelt. Guided by the unconditional love of animals, Dog Days is a journey through complex feelings, mistakes, and life. It balances tentative joy tastefully against heartbreak to form the perfect 'learning to love' tale.

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books_coffee_oxfordcommas's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Dog Days ended up being so much more than I expected it to be. I expected it to be a story about our dogs meaning so much to us, which it was, but not in the way I expected. And spoiler alert: no dogs die!
The author weaves together 3 stories: George, who recently lost his wife and did not want to take care of the dog she left him; Dan, a therapist who finds himself attracted to a patient; and Lizzy, who is living with a women's shelter with her son and doesn't tell us a lot about what brought her there.
I thought this book was a good slice of life, showing how we deal with struggles and grow from them, always with our dogs by our side. However, I don't think this book focuses on the dog as much as the title would have you think.
In the beginning, I almost wrote this book off as being a knockoff of A Man Called Ove, but it was not. However, I do think it is parallel and people who like Bachman will probably like this book as well.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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sarahbaines's review against another edition

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emotional funny sad medium-paced

4.0

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missredreads20's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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alexiswiththefreckles's review

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emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I went into this expecting a light-hearted story where dogs create a warm and fuzzy feeling. That is not the case. Instead, they are more akin to background cast in a play. The real focus here is on the humans and all of their flaws. There were lines scattered throughout the book that I think Waller really hit the nail on the head in describing what it means to be human, and I love finding those like buried treasure. However, I do like an unlikeable character every now and then.. but George was too much and I found his chapters hard to read. Character growth did feel a little too concentrated to the last 10% of the book, but that's just me being picky.

Overall, a story that tackles loss with brutal honesty and reminds us that our canine friends are always there to remind us to be human.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!

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katieb94's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Be aware there are trigger warnings of grief, self harm, homophobia, domestic abuse and suicide so if you’re not keen on those topics in books I would avoid it. It is a lovely story, with beautiful writing, but it’s always good to be aware of the content.

The book follows three people, George- an elderly man who has recently lost his wife, Dan- a therapist who doesn’t really know who he is, and Lizzie- a woman hiding from reality. We follow them as their lives change for better and worse.

George hates his dog (a sausage dog his wife bought before she died) Dan adores his dog, and Lizzie’s dog isn’t really hers but they have a connection anyway.

I own a dog myself, and I know how much a dog can help mental health so in some areas this book had really relatable moments.

It’s a really well written novel, the writing flows and I liked how it flipped between all the characters. They didn’t have a connection but at some points their lives would intersect.

There were twists, there were shocks, and there was a moment that made me cry.

I really enjoyed this book and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.

4.5/5 stars.

A brilliant read that shows just how much having a dog can help a person through their darkest days.

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Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Dog Days by Ericka Waller

talesandcupsoftea's review against another edition

fd62442's review against another edition

laurenw22's review

unfiltered_fiction's review against another edition

epellicci's review

books_coffee_oxfordcommas's review against another edition

sarahbaines's review against another edition

missredreads20's review against another edition

alexiswiththefreckles's review

katieb94's review against another edition