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davebald80's review
A wonderful memoir. (I'm a little creeped out by all the reviewers who were creeped out by the book.)
heatherclark's review
2.0
This book was listed in 1000 Books to Read in Your Lifetime so I thought I would try it since it was relatively short and seemed like it would be a fun little read. The first 1/3 was cute and made me laugh a few times. I think any dog owner can relate to some of the trouble Tulip's owner had with her. However, the last 2/3rds completely did me in. This man was obsessed with his dogs sex life. It was uncomfortable and gross to read in detail about it. Would not recommend it to anyone.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know where I heard about this book, but when I was looking for an audiobook, the title sounded familiar. The review was good, so I asked my library to get it for me.
I am not sure what I expected. This was okay and if I had read this story instead of listening, I think I would have just skimmed to the end. That is hard to do with audiobooks. I guess I was thinking this would be just about Ackerley's relationship with his dog. It turns out that much of this revolves around Tulip's relationship with other dogs. I don't think I have ever encountered another human who worried so much about this. Maybe a breeder would, but I don't know any one who breeds dogs.
I would not go out of my way to recommend this to anyone.
I am not sure what I expected. This was okay and if I had read this story instead of listening, I think I would have just skimmed to the end. That is hard to do with audiobooks. I guess I was thinking this would be just about Ackerley's relationship with his dog. It turns out that much of this revolves around Tulip's relationship with other dogs. I don't think I have ever encountered another human who worried so much about this. Maybe a breeder would, but I don't know any one who breeds dogs.
I would not go out of my way to recommend this to anyone.
agmaynard's review
medium-paced
3.0
An interesting, and evidently prized book, brought back by NYRB, and also filmed. Author certainly worshipped his dog, and has adventures, including breeding her, dispersing her puppies, etc. Never alters her, and this leads to more messiness, which he appeared to enjoy the drama of. Disliked very much his tone and assumptions of working class people and their lives and beliefs, irritating me when he opined.
postmodernblues's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.75
"... it must have been a solemn and moving thing to see this beautiful animal, in the midst of the first labor of her life, performing upon herself, with no help but unerringly, as though directed by some divine wisdom, the delicate and complicated business of creation." -J.R. Ackerley, My Dog Tulip, page 131
This is my first foray into dog lit as a cat person, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and quite taken with this story. Ackerley's prose is comforting and familiar, and his discussion of Tulip's sexual journeys is refreshingly blunt. I have read a number of reviews from people uncomfortable with this aspect of the book, but I found it both interesting and relevant, particularly taking into account Ackerley's own sexuality. A great deal of Tulip's sexual frustrations seem to mirror those a gay man might have had in the 1950's in Britain.
This is my first foray into dog lit as a cat person, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and quite taken with this story. Ackerley's prose is comforting and familiar, and his discussion of Tulip's sexual journeys is refreshingly blunt. I have read a number of reviews from people uncomfortable with this aspect of the book, but I found it both interesting and relevant, particularly taking into account Ackerley's own sexuality. A great deal of Tulip's sexual frustrations seem to mirror those a gay man might have had in the 1950's in Britain.
sterlinglacroix's review
1.0
I wish I could give this book 0/5 stars. Based on the title and description I was expecting a charming story about man's best friend, but instead I got something much different.
My Dog Tulip is 190 pages of stomach churning and revolting descriptions of this man's dog. The second chapter is called "Liquids and Solids" and is 30 pages of in depth descriptions of the dog's piss and shit habits. Detailed descriptions of how she squats, when, and where. The different types and times.
After the piss and shit chapter, the owner decides he wants to breed his dog. And there follows many chapters chock full of intimate descriptions of a dog in heat. I'm not opposed to learning about the scientific nature of these processes, but this writer instead chooses to take a very sexual and off putting tone. It's very unsettling. I'm certain this man committed unspeakable acts with his poor innocent dog.
My Dog Tulip is 190 pages of stomach churning and revolting descriptions of this man's dog. The second chapter is called "Liquids and Solids" and is 30 pages of in depth descriptions of the dog's piss and shit habits. Detailed descriptions of how she squats, when, and where. The different types and times.
After the piss and shit chapter, the owner decides he wants to breed his dog. And there follows many chapters chock full of intimate descriptions of a dog in heat. I'm not opposed to learning about the scientific nature of these processes, but this writer instead chooses to take a very sexual and off putting tone. It's very unsettling. I'm certain this man committed unspeakable acts with his poor innocent dog.