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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
2 stars because I think it is very indicative of the time period, but it was just boring. The same thing, racoon hunting, over and over again. The beginning was cute, the saving up for the dogs process, but after that it just got repetitive.
This is probably the third time I have read this in my life and each reduces me to a blubbering mess.
I'll probably never learn my lesson. This time I was reading it aloud to my grandson who wanted a story with adventure and dogs. I was glad to see he was clinging much tighter to his own pup this morning than in the past.
There are two more grandsons waiting in the wings who will probably request it at some point. Then I should be safe until someone requests Old Yeller.
I'll probably never learn my lesson. This time I was reading it aloud to my grandson who wanted a story with adventure and dogs. I was glad to see he was clinging much tighter to his own pup this morning than in the past.
There are two more grandsons waiting in the wings who will probably request it at some point. Then I should be safe until someone requests Old Yeller.
adventurous
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Uneven pacing and some odd messaging. I think it's popular in elementary school because it's the first time kids are exposed to something so emotional but I didn't enjoy revisiting it with an adult perspective.
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was the first book ever that made me realize how cruel books can be.. the first book that made me sob and cry and wail and wanna chuck it against the wall and question WHY?!
But this was also the first book that I truly learned to cherish. This book will always have a spot in my heart. I need to own a copy. I haven't read this book since around 2000 and I think I'm ready to reread it now. BRING ON THE FEELS!
But this was also the first book that I truly learned to cherish. This book will always have a spot in my heart. I need to own a copy. I haven't read this book since around 2000 and I think I'm ready to reread it now. BRING ON THE FEELS!
I read this book multiple times as a child and loved it in spite of tear-inducing plot. Might be a tough one for dog lovers or maybe it's the perfect book. As familiar as I was with the story I still thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook version. The narrator was excellent in his characterization and pacing, highlighting the beauty of this timeless story of a boy and his dogs. Still one of my favorites after all these years.
Great love story of a boy and his dogs. Bawled my eyes out
emotional
sad
medium-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:
No
we really were collectively traumatized by this as children huh
I just reread this (after having read it 2 or 3 times in the 1970s). Rawls writes a coming of age book about a boy, Billy, who faces some grown up challenges as he purchases two hunting hounds and trains them to hunt. He has to tame not only the dogs but to a degree he has to assert his will over his family, his neighbors, and himself.
Throughout, Billy and his parents reference God's divine will at play--with the dogs, with hunting contests, and with matters of life and death. Many coming of age books have the main character learn to live with ambiguity, but this one has clear-cut heroes and villians and God's hand sanctioning the purpose of all actions -- whether joyful or tragic.
The author grew up in the Oklahoma section of the Ozarks, and he gives a rich depiction of the landscape. It also shows a great tenderness the boy has for his dogs, Little Ann and Old Dan. A classic "boy and his dog" story with some regional color and a "God's will be done" theme added to the mix.
Throughout, Billy and his parents reference God's divine will at play--with the dogs, with hunting contests, and with matters of life and death. Many coming of age books have the main character learn to live with ambiguity, but this one has clear-cut heroes and villians and God's hand sanctioning the purpose of all actions -- whether joyful or tragic.
The author grew up in the Oklahoma section of the Ozarks, and he gives a rich depiction of the landscape. It also shows a great tenderness the boy has for his dogs, Little Ann and Old Dan. A classic "boy and his dog" story with some regional color and a "God's will be done" theme added to the mix.
I'm a sucker for dog stories, especially the ones that make you cry. Well, they all make you cry.