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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Baume takes this story of two outcasts, one human and one dog, and weaves them into a visceral tale of both sadness and discovery. The language and description move through the seasons and emotions from warmth and abundance to evoking harsh, wet landscapes with a kind of chill seeping right off the page and into the reader's bones. In turn, the colder seasons' landscapes reflect a life weathered down... dried and cracked and soiled by years of elemental forces and eroded by social neglect. Man finds a friend who forces him to find a compassion and forgiveness he himself was never shown. Baume manages to convincingly portray a kind of simpleton who is anything but simple.
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WORD I LEARNED WHILE READING THIS BOOK
boreen
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WORD I LEARNED WHILE READING THIS BOOK
boreen
This is an astounding book, like nothing I’ve read before. If you can, do as I did and listen to this one. The narrator is perfect and adds so much to the book’s luminous language. It is not a light book, but one that will stay with you.
I thought this book was quite quirky, rather bizarre and somewhat sorrowful. I sometimes felt the narrative was a bit muddled, in terms of which character was being referred to but I thought it was quite a nice read in general. Its hard to describe without giving away spoilers - I'd say that some of the main plot details took me (as the reader) by surprise and my opinion of the main protagonist changed as I started to learn more of his history or background.
This book isn't separated in to the usual numerous chapters - instead its split in to 4 sections, or parts, 'Spill', 'Simmer', 'Falter' and, of course, 'Wither' being the final section.
It is quite a sad read but there's something about it which has a hint of optimism. I think I liked the fact that it centers in on the ability for people to get such vital companionship from 'mans best friend' - as cheesy as that might sound, its something I have experience of. Its a decent read - something a little different, with an element of uniqueness about it somehow I'd say.
This book isn't separated in to the usual numerous chapters - instead its split in to 4 sections, or parts, 'Spill', 'Simmer', 'Falter' and, of course, 'Wither' being the final section.
It is quite a sad read but there's something about it which has a hint of optimism. I think I liked the fact that it centers in on the ability for people to get such vital companionship from 'mans best friend' - as cheesy as that might sound, its something I have experience of. Its a decent read - something a little different, with an element of uniqueness about it somehow I'd say.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
To be honest, I thought this book was eh. For those who compared it to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime, I would agree. However that book had a plot. This I just felt was more stream of consciousness, and a little all over the place.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was slow reading this short book because it is so beautifully written, I wanted to absorb every word. But the plot? Meh. It's a story about a man and his dog, neither of whom are very likable. The man, unloved in his small Irish town because he's fearful and a hermit, adopts a dog to keep him company after his father dies. But the dog can be vicious -- attaching smaller dogs and snapping at children -- so the two take off to avoid the consequences. The story then tells of their life on the road, living out of his car for weeks on end.
The ending, however, adds much to the story, and puts the human character in perspective. The dog, not so much.
The ending, however, adds much to the story, and puts the human character in perspective. The dog, not so much.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes