Reviews

Dog Days by Ericka Waller

jckkff's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

the_empty_bookself's review

5.0

I have just loved this book. A very easy read and a debut novel from Ericka Waller.

A warming novel of three characters, George, Dan and Lizzie. All have their own life troubles which are heartbreaking and tragic in their own right. Discretely in the background the loyal bond of their dog sees them through, whether they like it or not!

It highlights how you may see a person walking their dog each day on the same route with a polite ‘hello’ but you have no idea what their life entails, but despite that, their faithful companion keeps them grounded and gives them something to live for.

‘...dogs bring people together...they get people out in crazy weather, lifting an arm or tipping a hat to a fellow owner’

This book highlights the undeniable healing power of dogs.

ali_w15's review

3.0

Some shocking twists and turns in this story. Feel like there should be warnings on some books regarding distressing themes. Found this book wholesome in places but felt like there was too much crammed into the second half of the book without the time to really explore or come to a satisfying conclusion. It all felt a bit rushed. And the dogs theme was really an after thought. Some uplifting moments but definitely a bit clumsy.

bookwormandtheatremouse's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

phi29's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

gxab's review

emotional reflective 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

4.0

livres_de_bloss's review against another edition

4.0

While a deeply moving and highly readable book, this wasn’t what I was expecting at all.

I liked the growth that the characters showed as we got to know them:

I hated George for most of the story (until he has the self realization toward the end). I felt like he was abusive to Ellen and she was rather afraid of him which was sad. Betty was such a treasure and didn’t deserve his ire either.

Dan and Atticus... I didn’t see that coming and it was devastatingly painful to read.

Lizzie was a headcase. Greg and Luke should have pressed charges. Heck even Tess could have! How she was allowed to work in daycare after abducting her own kid was baffling. The ending where she’s back with Greg and her kid felt forced and trite. She should have been in jail.

He dogs were all brilliant. I wished they’d featured a bit more prominently to balance this heavy story out a bit more.

I’m going to ruminate further on this book, I’m sure. It was unlike anything I’ve read!

hanmccull's review

4.0

The perfect love letter to our kind, loving canine companions. No spoilers but the ending was not what I was expecting, a beautiful book.

Thank you Book Club buddy Ceri for the loan

guylou's review

emotional funny inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

DOG DAYS by Ericka Waller exceeded my expectations with its poignant exploration of loss, resilience, and human connection. The initial impression from the blurb suggests a light-hearted tale centered around dogs, yet Waller skillfully delves into the complex lives of George, Lizzie, and Dan. George's grumpiness and resistance to change, Lizzie's scars and emotional barricades, and Dan's hidden struggles create a raw and gritty narrative that unfolds against the backdrop of Brighton. The dogs, Poppy, Maud, and Fitz, are not mere accessories but characters with their own distinct personalities, thanks to Waller's unique style. As the characters' stories intertwine, the novel becomes an emotionally charged journey, defying the initial expectation of a feel-good read. DOG DAYS is a compelling, unconventional narrative that captures the essence of life's challenges and the transformative power of canine companionship.

✏ Favourite quote: "𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩... 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴." 

nicjohnston's review

4.0

Dog Days is a joy. The attraction was the furry friends and Poppy, Fitz and Maud lived up to my every expectation and delivered the incredible bond and positivity from canine companions.

However, the real surprise was the main protagonists. Dan,
a therapist struggling with OCD and his sexuality. Lizzie who finds herself in a refuge with her son. And George who is struggling after the loss of his wife. Each character has depth and I enjoyed following their journey. It wasn’t the light read that I was expecting and was all the better for it (although there is plenty of warm humour threaded throughout the book). Definitely one I will be pushing into people’s hands.

With thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for an ARC.