hanakorodgers 's review for:

Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis

5.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I haven't reread a book in a very long time, but I reread this one with my first read-through being a few years ago for a uni course. I remember reading through it so quickly and being just as moved the first time as I did this time. The complexities of human-ness and being are cast in such a dark yet often tender way. Specific humans in the book are caring, loving, and generous while humans as a whole are portrayed as unpredictable and dangerous. The language that the dogs speak in is blunt, curious, and crass while their actions reflect the layers to their experience. The fact that we as readers feel such strong emotions towards the violence against these dogs that occur quite regularly to people all over the world demands a reflection of self and, again, of human-ness. Absolutely not for everyone - but a favourite of mine it will remain. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Violence

Before re-reading, I didn't remember much of the book except for Prince dying happy, but with some melancholic aspect to it. That scene moved me just as much this time.