Reviews

The Book of Dog by Lark Benobi

flaminghomosexual's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

schoemanrohan's review

4.0

Strange and magical tale of solidarity in the face of the Apocalypse. Read this book, you won't regret it.

redbirdwings's review

4.0

The Book of Dog was a surprisingly fun read. The writing is clear and concise throughout and the additional artwork helps to set the tone of the story. While I was not quite expecting the twist at the end, I was never confused about what was happening at any point. This book is a well-written and humorous portrayal of current events that only requires part of an afternoon to get through.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

jillianbald's review against another edition

It seems "The Book of Dog" would be a light story. It is perhaps more fable than fiction (gather around children--um, I mean adults--and I will tell you how the world ends). I wasn't laughing out loud, like some reviewers mentioned. Maybe I rolled my eyes or smiled, but I thought the author's message was meant to be taken more thoughtfully, alongside her well-placed comical graphics.

The entire story is drenched in current events, real-life situations and what-ifs, but told in such a way that you are compelled to read on, despite its absurd cast of characters. The fresh approach to political and religious themes and Lark's imaginative writing kept me reading. I liked how she ended it, too. The underuse of commas distracted me, but I am old-school about that. I will check out her other novel "After" (written under her real name Claire, mentioned in the back of the book). She is an author with something to say, and I am drawn to that.

sawyerbell's review against another edition

4.0

Over the past few years, whenever I'm overwhelmed by thoughts of the Anthropocene or by world news--especially news coming from south of Canada's border--I remember with hope two things: a documentary I saw about the flourishing of animals and nature in Chernobyl's human-free Exclusion Zone and the fascinating picture of a post-human world offered by Alan Weisman in his book [b:The World Without Us|248787|The World Without Us|Alan Weisman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441986417l/248787._SY75_.jpg|241063]. So, it was with interest that I came across The Book of Dog, a satire on American politics in which most of the people of the earth turn into animals and band together to fight the Beast, a creature who resembles a certain orange-haired populist leader.

This was a very fun and thought-provoking story, offering both comedy and hope to discouraged readers. Benobi writes with a fresh and invigorating voice and creates characters the reader, especially the feminist reader, will love.

I listened to the audiobook version of the story, masterfully narrated by Bernadette Dunne, but understand that the print version is accompanied by engaging drawings.

hmdeans's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

The message is great, but the style isn't  really to my taste.  Kind of felt like I was reading a children's story.  The plot felt thin and rushed.  I appreciate the humor benobi tries to an otherwise dark and foreboding subject, but I suspect the message risks getting lost in all of it.  

han_reads_13579's review against another edition

4.0

For me, this was a utopia rather than a dystopia. A mushroom cloud destroys life as we know it leaving nature to thrive and a band of forgotten women to turn into the animal forms they need to be in order to take down the patriarchy? Yes please! I loved the wry sense of humour, and how utterly unique and bizzare this book is. The many jabs to the patriarchy. The brilliant, sarcastic feminism. And, of course...the dogs.
There were some religious references which were a little lost on me but other than that I loved this book

jbdunn's review against another edition

5.0

This starts as just a great myth-style story in an apocalyptical time as people are effected by a virus and you follow 6 women who are important to the ultimate situation. However it becomes apparent that this is a myth about our current political times. Even when the big reveal came, I didn't feel like the allegory was too overwhelming. This was delightful and I would recommend it for others.

redbirdwings's review against another edition

4.0

The Book of Dog was a surprisingly fun read. The writing is clear and concise throughout and the additional artwork helps to set the tone of the story. While I was not quite expecting the twist at the end, I was never confused about what was happening at any point. This book is a well-written and humorous portrayal of current events that only requires part of an afternoon to get through.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

nadinekc's review against another edition

4.0

If you think the drawings are cute, odds are you'll like the story. A dystopian satire that marries the horrible and the adorable ;)