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lanica's review against another edition
1.0
I've tried to read this book three times. I started fresh each time and tried to get a running start. I only got a handful of pages further each time before something about the main character made me set the book down before I threw it across the room. No, really. I had the urge to throw it against a wall. It actually made me angry.
Why? I guess it all comes from me having children. That kid is just not right. Even at two my kids would have known to follow an adult rather than a dog. Want food?...'Mom' was a person who fed me...so I'm going to find another 'mom-like' being to feed me. Simple two year old logic. And yet this four year old decides to ignore the people he sees and go live with a dog? he breaks every rule his mom set for him, but chooses 'Don't talk to strangers' to follow.
I guess it comes down to this...when the kid is supposed to be smart, he's slow witted. When he's supposed to be ignorant he somehow has insight beyond his years. He's just not realistic and so I was yanked out of the story before I even got into it.
Also, I kept trying to get a grip on what had caused the people to leave, but the point-of-view was no help at all. We just don't know. Perhaps there is some event in the history of Moscow that is so well-known that most readers just tie this event to the events in the book, but I am not at all familiar with the history of the USSR. Perhaps it's explained later int eh book, but I just can't bring myself to read anymore.
Why? I guess it all comes from me having children. That kid is just not right. Even at two my kids would have known to follow an adult rather than a dog. Want food?...'Mom' was a person who fed me...so I'm going to find another 'mom-like' being to feed me. Simple two year old logic. And yet this four year old decides to ignore the people he sees and go live with a dog? he breaks every rule his mom set for him, but chooses 'Don't talk to strangers' to follow.
I guess it comes down to this...when the kid is supposed to be smart, he's slow witted. When he's supposed to be ignorant he somehow has insight beyond his years. He's just not realistic and so I was yanked out of the story before I even got into it.
Also, I kept trying to get a grip on what had caused the people to leave, but the point-of-view was no help at all. We just don't know. Perhaps there is some event in the history of Moscow that is so well-known that most readers just tie this event to the events in the book, but I am not at all familiar with the history of the USSR. Perhaps it's explained later int eh book, but I just can't bring myself to read anymore.
cnoodles's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emilyfrizz's review against another edition
4.0
Raw and vivid. It was an unconventional journey and unapologetically dark.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
“People were filling the streets again, trudging, skittering and sliding along the pavements, but he paid them no attention. He focused on his dog and followed closely, the kiss freezing on his cheek. The other two dogs fell in behind neatly, without jostling.”
Once again, I can’t remember how this novel got to be on my TBR pile. I know I read someone’s comments about it and so I read it. I am not sorry – it was fascinating story.
I have often said that I read to discover new worlds. This is why I read, among other things, science fiction, historical fiction and fantasy. All of those genres take me to places that I cannot go without books. This wonderful novel also took me to a world that I can never inhabit. Not only that, until I read this story, I could not even have imagined the world that Hornung has created. Who knew that a story about a boy raised by dogs could be so fascinating.
I am simply amazed by Hornung’s talent. She is Australian. However, she fashioned a Russian environment where a dog could adopt a human and raise it. While I lived in Hornung’s fiction, I felt like I was there and all of her story was as likely as the life I normally live. That to me is excellent writing.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good writing and storytelling, but especially to those to can suspend their disbelief while reading about a world that is not quite our reality.
Once again, I can’t remember how this novel got to be on my TBR pile. I know I read someone’s comments about it and so I read it. I am not sorry – it was fascinating story.
I have often said that I read to discover new worlds. This is why I read, among other things, science fiction, historical fiction and fantasy. All of those genres take me to places that I cannot go without books. This wonderful novel also took me to a world that I can never inhabit. Not only that, until I read this story, I could not even have imagined the world that Hornung has created. Who knew that a story about a boy raised by dogs could be so fascinating.
I am simply amazed by Hornung’s talent. She is Australian. However, she fashioned a Russian environment where a dog could adopt a human and raise it. While I lived in Hornung’s fiction, I felt like I was there and all of her story was as likely as the life I normally live. That to me is excellent writing.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good writing and storytelling, but especially to those to can suspend their disbelief while reading about a world that is not quite our reality.
carolinevogt's review
5.0
If I ever thought I understood the human/animal boundary, this book made me reconsider my beliefs. Disgusting at times, but overall an intriguing tale of society failing. Or is it?
pustulio's review against another edition
3.0
Libro raro...
No sé porque sentí que son como 3 libros en uno. Siento que el autor cambia de estilo con cada capítulo. Inició bien y terminó muy mal me parece. Siento que a veces resuelve todo muy rápido y se clava en cosas que no necesitarían explicación. No es malo, pero no me gusto tanto como pensé que lo iba a hacer.
No sé porque sentí que son como 3 libros en uno. Siento que el autor cambia de estilo con cada capítulo. Inició bien y terminó muy mal me parece. Siento que a veces resuelve todo muy rápido y se clava en cosas que no necesitarían explicación. No es malo, pero no me gusto tanto como pensé que lo iba a hacer.
jenno's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0