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vibingjaren's review
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
I have read this book, a Dog's Journey by W. Bruce Cameron two times, and it always makes me teary-eyed. The book's setting takes place sometime after 2014 in the United States. The protagonist is Buddy, who also goes by Molly, Max, and Toby at different points in the book. Buddy is a dog whose sole purpose is to protect and love his human, Ethan. Buddy thinks he has fulfilled his purpose as Ethan has passed on. However, when Buddy is reborn as Molly, he figures out he has a new purpose, to protect Ethan's granddaughter, CJ.
This contemporary novel faces the challenges of growing up. It is also a story of loss, love, and acceptance. I would recommend reading this book with caution as it describes tough topics such as eating disorders, cancer, depression, and other triggering topics. W. Bruce Cameron handles these topics well, even from Molly's point of view. This book, I feel, accurately depicts what it's like to be struggling. While these topics may be hard to read, It's so important to learn about them. It shows the healing process, as well as the fact that you aren't alone. CJ feels like at moments she only has Molly. However, she grows to realize her childhood best friend, Trent, has always been there for her. Trent, who has been madly in love with CJ since they were kids, just wants what's best for her.
This book truly feels like it was written in the eyes of a dog. However, while it's a great book, it isn't without flaws. I felt like the end of the book was rushed. From the end of Max's life to Toby's, I noticed this. I feel like the ending came too fast. It honestly felt like I had started to read a different book. Regardless of its flaws, it's still a great book that I'd rate 5/5 stars. I'm not afraid to admit that as an animal lover, it made me cry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Chronic illness, and Animal death
Moderate: Chronic illness, Grief, Body shaming, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Gaslighting, Infertility, Medical content, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Fatphobia, Dementia, Car accident, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Pedophilia
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Title: A Dog's Journey
Author: W. Bruce Cameron
Series: A Dog's Purpose #2
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 2.5
Pub Date: September 19, 2012
T H R E E • W O R D S
Heartfelt • Humorous • Insightful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
After searching for his purpose through several eventful lives, Buddy is sure that he has found and fulfilled it. Yet as he watches curious baby Clarity get into dangerous mischief, he is certain that this little girl is very much in need of a dog of her own.
When Buddy is reborn, he realizes that he has a new destiny. He's overjoyed when he is adopted by Clarity, now a vibrant but troubled teenager. When they are suddenly separated, Buddy despairs—who will take care of his girl?
💭 T H O U G H T S
A Dog's Journey is the sequel to the hugely popular A Dog's Purpose, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It once again takes us inside the mind of a dog, giving us a canine perspective of a life well lived. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this one as much. I just never felt the same emotional connection as I did in the first book. That's not to say this book wasn't emotional, I personally didn't connect with the main character.
It's evident W. Bruce Cameron has done his research, because he nailed the dog perspective. I genuinely laughed at some of the thoughts and tidbits from this perspective. However, I felt as though the human portion of this novel was flat. The dialogue didn't seem natural, and at times it tried to do too much. And at times the whole thing became quite repetitive, which was unfortunate.
Many have loved this book, and so it's likely a case of this just not being the right book for me. It's worth picking up if you have a soft spot for dogs, but I definitely would suggest keeping a Kleenex close by.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• dog owners
• readers looking for a quick, easy read
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"It cannot be a dog’s purpose to understand what people want because it is impossible."
Author: W. Bruce Cameron
Series: A Dog's Purpose #2
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 2.5
Pub Date: September 19, 2012
T H R E E • W O R D S
Heartfelt • Humorous • Insightful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
After searching for his purpose through several eventful lives, Buddy is sure that he has found and fulfilled it. Yet as he watches curious baby Clarity get into dangerous mischief, he is certain that this little girl is very much in need of a dog of her own.
When Buddy is reborn, he realizes that he has a new destiny. He's overjoyed when he is adopted by Clarity, now a vibrant but troubled teenager. When they are suddenly separated, Buddy despairs—who will take care of his girl?
💭 T H O U G H T S
A Dog's Journey is the sequel to the hugely popular A Dog's Purpose, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It once again takes us inside the mind of a dog, giving us a canine perspective of a life well lived. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this one as much. I just never felt the same emotional connection as I did in the first book. That's not to say this book wasn't emotional, I personally didn't connect with the main character.
It's evident W. Bruce Cameron has done his research, because he nailed the dog perspective. I genuinely laughed at some of the thoughts and tidbits from this perspective. However, I felt as though the human portion of this novel was flat. The dialogue didn't seem natural, and at times it tried to do too much. And at times the whole thing became quite repetitive, which was unfortunate.
Many have loved this book, and so it's likely a case of this just not being the right book for me. It's worth picking up if you have a soft spot for dogs, but I definitely would suggest keeping a Kleenex close by.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• dog owners
• readers looking for a quick, easy read
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"It cannot be a dog’s purpose to understand what people want because it is impossible."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Cancer, Vomit, Body shaming, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal death and Infertility
lolajh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ouch!!!!! The fucking dog having to die was somehow not the saddest part of this book. Once Ethan passes away, Buddy thinks his purpose is fulfilled, until he discovers he has a new purpose to protect Clarity, Ethan’s granddaughter. And holy FUCK is this one a rough one. CJ faces intense emotional abuse and neglect from her mother, who does cause CJ to develop an eating disorder through her language of shaming her daughter for eating and how her body looks. Now this eating disorder gets fucking bad, and watching CJ and Buddy go through it was just so fucking sad? And apart from just this, CJ also finds herself in a toxic relationship where she is stalked and emotionally abused by him as well as her mother. And all because of this fucking dog, CJ continues to keep living and work through her issues and get herself out of them and eventually does find happiness and healthiness that do ultimately make this such a wonderful book. Buddy is the best and thinking from a dogs pov will always make me sad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infertility, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
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