Reviews tagging 'Death'

Dog's Journey by W. Bruce Cameron

4 reviews

evawhite's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Cancer, Eating disorder, Terminal illness, Grief

Moderate: Death, Vomit, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent

vibingjaren's review against another edition

5.0

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

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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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death

Moderate: Body shaming, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting

Minor: Drug use, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Dementia, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail

sillyphillypegasus's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Cancer, Death, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment

Minor: Body shaming, Chronic illness, Medical content, Stalking, Car accident

lolajh's review against another edition

5.0

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

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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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Sexual harassment