Scan barcode
zoefruitcake's review against another edition
5.0
Oh how I love this book! I should imagine if I had read it as a child I would have loved it even more, but I've only read this delightful tale as an adult. It is a simple story from an important time in English history, and gives a very believable representation of what it may have been like for the common man. One of those books I have thought much about between readings
katykelly's review
5.0
Another book I've discovered recently on a 'must read' children's classic list. I can see why.
It has the unusual twist of being narrated by a dog, but in a realistic historical context (which I've not seen before) - the time of Wat Tyler and the Peasants' Revolt.
What a fascinating time to set a story in, narrated by a dog who is loyal to a family charged with treason to the crown.
I liked how Branford made our protagonist aware of human speech and interactions, not to the point of too omniscient a perspective, but enough to give us context of the situation her family are in.
We see her own struggles to raise pups and help her human family, and their struggle to stay alive despite serfdom, prison and starvation.
A perfect class read for a KS2 group looking at this period in history, or just as an end-of-the-day read, with short chapters, an animal narrator will always go down well, and lots of discussion to come from this.
There are scenes of some violence (a hanging, the beating of dogs, suggestions of humans also being hit), though nothing graphic. Language-wise, it's not too involved or complex for an 8 or 9 year old independent reader to tackle alone.
It has the unusual twist of being narrated by a dog, but in a realistic historical context (which I've not seen before) - the time of Wat Tyler and the Peasants' Revolt.
What a fascinating time to set a story in, narrated by a dog who is loyal to a family charged with treason to the crown.
I liked how Branford made our protagonist aware of human speech and interactions, not to the point of too omniscient a perspective, but enough to give us context of the situation her family are in.
We see her own struggles to raise pups and help her human family, and their struggle to stay alive despite serfdom, prison and starvation.
A perfect class read for a KS2 group looking at this period in history, or just as an end-of-the-day read, with short chapters, an animal narrator will always go down well, and lots of discussion to come from this.
There are scenes of some violence (a hanging, the beating of dogs, suggestions of humans also being hit), though nothing graphic. Language-wise, it's not too involved or complex for an 8 or 9 year old independent reader to tackle alone.
bickie's review against another edition
3.0
Historical fiction during the time of the English Peasant Rebellion in 1381 told through the eyes of a loyal hunting dog. The first chapter (3 pages) could make the book a tough sell. This is a book that requires some patience; however, there is plenty of action: hunting, hanging, parading heads on pikes through town, domestic abuse. While none of the violence is gratuitous, it is definitely there. A traitorous character gets his comeuppance at the end but not until a beloved character meets a grisly end. In addition to the violence, though, there is also loyalty and a dedication to a cause that is right even though it is not universally popular. It's a good introduction to historical fiction for readers reluctant to try the genre; the dog as narrator might be a good entrée, and although the setting is based in historical fact, it feels a lot like medieval-ish fantasy worlds.
_adamlevick's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
anna_2023's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
saburat's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
it isn't perfect. but this is what i like the most in this book, because it is just right.
there definitely are some character inconsistencies, but i need above all to remember that this is a book intended for an audience that need not care about such things, which is why we are waving our hand at it as if we were batting away a fly, annoyed by it, but in the end, indifferent.
it is a beautiful book. full of prose lush enough for you to lose itself in it, but sparse enough for you to still see the sky and breathe in the fresh air. serenity hangs in the white space, so that one can wrap itself in it, lay down, and cry safely. it's been some time since i cried. i needed both that, and this book. amazing how much grief, love, and sensory input can be fit in a book that barely brushes the one hundred page mark.
oh, dear, lovely old bitch. i'm going to howl your story as a song.
there definitely are some character inconsistencies, but i need above all to remember that this is a book intended for an audience that need not care about such things, which is why we are waving our hand at it as if we were batting away a fly, annoyed by it, but in the end, indifferent.
it is a beautiful book. full of prose lush enough for you to lose itself in it, but sparse enough for you to still see the sky and breathe in the fresh air. serenity hangs in the white space, so that one can wrap itself in it, lay down, and cry safely. it's been some time since i cried. i needed both that, and this book. amazing how much grief, love, and sensory input can be fit in a book that barely brushes the one hundred page mark.
oh, dear, lovely old bitch. i'm going to howl your story as a song.
unicornrhyfedd'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
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Animal cruelty, and Violence
Minor: Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, and Domestic abuse
mat_tobin's review
5.0
Set in England in the year 1381, Branford's novel takes place during the uprising of the peasants against the taxtations which were driving them to poverty. Yet this historical has an unusual twist in which we almost have an observer-narrator of sorts in the guise of a hunting dog whose thoughts and are as human as yours or mine.
As a form for looking afar (emotionally) yet physically close, the narrator offers an almost detached view of the atrocities which befell thousands during these oppressive times and she can be seen as a true moral compass in times where morality seems to have evaded much of the country. I soon found myself caring for and placing the deepest trust in her.
What struck me most though was not the excellent storyline or sense that the landscape which she lives in is so well evoked, it is the masterful prose. Each sentence is a treat, each reflection and observation meaningful and deeply touching. Although I state that this could be shared with KS2, I only mean Year 6 and even then the most mature and reflective of readers.
As a form for looking afar (emotionally) yet physically close, the narrator offers an almost detached view of the atrocities which befell thousands during these oppressive times and she can be seen as a true moral compass in times where morality seems to have evaded much of the country. I soon found myself caring for and placing the deepest trust in her.
What struck me most though was not the excellent storyline or sense that the landscape which she lives in is so well evoked, it is the masterful prose. Each sentence is a treat, each reflection and observation meaningful and deeply touching. Although I state that this could be shared with KS2, I only mean Year 6 and even then the most mature and reflective of readers.
theworstofit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pregnancy, Confinement, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Domestic abuse