A review by bronski
Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley

4.0

Normally I try to avoid books about dogs. I know they’ll make me cry. However, I couldn’t resist pushing myself through this one. I don’t think a book has ever made me cry as much as this one did. I’m not even referring to the end, I’m referring to the entire book (starting on page 26). This was written by someone who loved a dog very dearly and managed to depict that adoration and unwavering love throughout the entire story. He writes about the fierce denial when something entirely out of your control takes a hold of the creature you love most but makes it bearable, writing of joy as well. The inevitability of death makes life worth living, makes you remember to live in the present, and enjoy the ones you love while you can. About 3/4 of the way through it gets a bit long winded and perhaps too far on the side of quirky for my taste, but overall I had to give it four stars for how well he depicted such a range of emotions.