Lily and the Octopus
A national bestseller combining the emotional depth of The Art of Racing in the Rain with the magical spirit of The Life of Pi, “Lily and the Octopus is the dog book you must read this summer” (The Washington Post).
Ted—a gay, single, struggling writer is stuck: unable to open himself up to intimacy except through the steadfast companionship of Lily, his elderly dachshund. When Lily’s health is compromised, Ted vows to save her by any means necessary. By turns hilarious and poignant, an adventure with spins into magic realism and beautifully evoked truths of loss and longing, Lily and the Octopus reminds us how it feels to love fiercely, how difficult it can be to let go, and how the fight for those we love is the greatest fight of all.
Introducing a dazzling and completely original new voice in fiction and an unforgettable hound that will break your heart—and put it back together again. Remember the last book you told someone they had to read? Lily and the Octopus is the next one. “Startlingly imaginative...this love story is sure to assert its place in the canine lit pack...Be prepared for outright laughs and searing or silly moments of canine and human recognition. And grab a tissue: “THERE! WILL! BE! EYE! RAIN!” (New York Newsday).
Ted—a gay, single, struggling writer is stuck: unable to open himself up to intimacy except through the steadfast companionship of Lily, his elderly dachshund. When Lily’s health is compromised, Ted vows to save her by any means necessary. By turns hilarious and poignant, an adventure with spins into magic realism and beautifully evoked truths of loss and longing, Lily and the Octopus reminds us how it feels to love fiercely, how difficult it can be to let go, and how the fight for those we love is the greatest fight of all.
Introducing a dazzling and completely original new voice in fiction and an unforgettable hound that will break your heart—and put it back together again. Remember the last book you told someone they had to read? Lily and the Octopus is the next one. “Startlingly imaginative...this love story is sure to assert its place in the canine lit pack...Be prepared for outright laughs and searing or silly moments of canine and human recognition. And grab a tissue: “THERE! WILL! BE! EYE! RAIN!” (New York Newsday).
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Community Reviews
A story about the love a person can have for their dog and the ways we cope with impending loss. I love the way that Rowley created the octopus to show the creature that was consuming his beloved animal. I'm still not sure which parts were real and which were in mind of the main character, but that didn't change how beautiful the entire story was.
Oh this book. I laughed and then cried... no, sobbed. Sobbed hard. The audiobook was amazing. I felt this book so deeply.
Witty exploration of the feelings associated with cancer and death. Charming debut novel. I enjoyed his voice throughout.
Be prepared to cry from page 1. Oof.
I didn't think I'd have to worry about the crying until later in the book, so I listened to it on my way to a work event. Yeaaaah. I showed up with puffy eyes and smeared mascara.
The book is heartfelt and an accurate depiction of the love we feel for our pets. It was a *strong* 4.5 stars, but there towards the end I was pulled out of the story due to a strange turn where I wasn't sure (and am still not) if it was a dream or the real life of our narrator.
All in all, wonderful story...esp. if you're in the need of a good, hard cry.
I didn't think I'd have to worry about the crying until later in the book, so I listened to it on my way to a work event. Yeaaaah. I showed up with puffy eyes and smeared mascara.
The book is heartfelt and an accurate depiction of the love we feel for our pets. It was a *strong* 4.5 stars, but there towards the end I was pulled out of the story due to a strange turn where I wasn't sure (and am still not) if it was a dream or the real life of our narrator.
All in all, wonderful story...esp. if you're in the need of a good, hard cry.
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