Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
this book is incredibly poetic, almost gratingly so, but after a little while you get used to it and let it suck you in. it's a very simple story told in vivid color and smell and emotion, with the unique perspective of the narrator speaking in 2nd person much of the time in reference to his wonderful canine. I was so scared it was gonna break my heart, and it did in some places, and it shocked me as well, but most of all it was a calming and serene painting. a journey I was able to stroll through with it's flowery analogies comparing the mundane to the mundane, it was a very nice and aesthetically pleasing read!
"See how community is only a good thing when you are part of it." A lonely outcast adopts a mangled, one eyed dog, and their journey begins. A haunting book in which the outcast acknowledges his separateness from the community, after the dog viciously attacks another dog and the threat of losing his one companion drives him on his circular journey.
unexpected, visceral and full of deepest wonder and deepest sadness - sara baume presents an expertly crafted portrait of a life too easily and too often overlooked, and a canine companion who shines a light on the grimy corners of the world with a little more beauty and a little more curiosity, searching for bowerbird jewels among the gravel. gritty and real, baume doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable observations and challenging truths about how we treat those pushed to the cliff-edges of our communities - an unforgettable study in sonder and heartache and life, and how it all keeps on keeping on, on its way, as imperceptibly as the smell of time
A recluse is gifted by the universe with a dog. A difficult man. A difficult dog. I was totally in love with this story and the perceptive way Baume depicts the bond between dog and man. Their relationship seems so hopeful but then real life intervenes as it so often does for those human individuals who have been cast off and canceled and for the animals who are also so casually and brutally discarded. The ending made me so angry, but it is beautifully told. I kept shouting (in my head only) "Wait, there are things, people, services, meds, training that can save your both." But none of that is actually real or possible for so many of the afflicted.
The writing and language in this book is absolutely exquisite. Unfortunately, that's all I really liked about this. There's really no plot and I'm not a fan of the ambiguous ending in general, and I didn't particularly care for this one.
PopSugar 2016: A book that takes place during summer (x)
PopSugar 2016: A book that takes place during summer (x)
It's not the destination, it's the journey. The writing of this mostly second-person narrative is sublime and evocative, with a handful of twists and turns as our narrator explores what it means to love and be loved, possibly for the first time in his 57-year existence. The novel's "surprise" - or what I take was meant to be a surprise - was alluded to rather heavily throughout, so revealing it here wouldn't be much of a spoiler, but it's best left to the reader to find it on his or her own.
There are a lot of big themes here, mostly redemption and forgiveness, but they lie low on the paintbrush, and don't reveal themselves in the reading, but in the consideration given to the writing afterwards.
I found the ending ultimately less than 100% satisfying at first, but upon 12 hours of contemplation (most of which was in the guise of sleep), I think I can safely say that it wasn't UNsatisfying. Beautifully written book. I look forward to reading Baume's next tome.
There are a lot of big themes here, mostly redemption and forgiveness, but they lie low on the paintbrush, and don't reveal themselves in the reading, but in the consideration given to the writing afterwards.
I found the ending ultimately less than 100% satisfying at first, but upon 12 hours of contemplation (most of which was in the guise of sleep), I think I can safely say that it wasn't UNsatisfying. Beautifully written book. I look forward to reading Baume's next tome.
Beautiful writing. Beautiful setting. I was disappointed by the last 1/3 of the book. The character is obviously autistic. As an autistic person I take issue with her ultimate portrayal of this character.