Community Reviews
I loved the descriptions of the dogs, and the parts of the story told from Almondine's POV were heartbreaking. But the ending of the story was very unsatisfying. I never understood Claude's motives or exactly what happened. Not sure I'd recommend the book to anyone other than dog lovers, because the dog parts of the story were much more appealing (at least to me) than the human parts.
(This review is based on the audiobook version.)
(This review is based on the audiobook version.)
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Had to break out my laptop for this review! Only the second well read book that has received said honor this year.
I quarreled with a 4 - 5 star review when it came time to do so, and the 5th star was only redeemed in the last chapters. I was settled at 4 stars for majority up until the last 40 or so pages. I am ok giving this 4.5 over all as a result.
I struggled a bit with the writing at times; it felt like the lyrical style of the writing was overdone to the point it felt "fuzzy" and I wasn't even sure what I was reading. The timeline of events and changing of POV made me go back to re-read several times. I wasn't even sure what the first chapter/epilogue even meant when the story began. (That was quickly full circle later.) And I was disheartened by the ending...but looking over this as a whole it makes sense. In its own sad, longing way.
But that is where the criticism from me ends: yes, there was perhaps too much of the "waxing poetry" mentioned in other reviews, though I am hardly a critic as I tend to adopt a similar if not the same writing style/habits of description. (again, fuzzy.) Yes, the descriptions of Almondine and the Sawtelle Dogs were perhaps a bit anthropomorphic but not at all in the icky, emotionally driven fashion we see in nature with most people in real life. I did not make the connection to Shakespeare or as a story fashioned after this until reading other reviews, in which case made SO much sense. I thought the story stood alone great, but could absolutely make the connection afterwards. Had I gone in knowing it was modeled after Shakespearean tragedy then my review would likely be much different.
I thought the writing was very fitting for the time and the themes: homely, magical, and something of old world. The imagery conveyed throughout the book in the scenery, the characters, and the dogs were simply divine: I felt like I was right there in every captivating moment. The author's depictions and descriptions of grief were multifaceted and all accurate...it was painfully beautiful to witness the way each character grappled with the same sense of loss and sorrow. Almondine's chapters ripped me right up. I definitely ugly cried and had to take a breather before continuing.
In lieu with the Shakespearean elements it only made sense the book ended the way it did, but I went from sadness to anger all the same. I was left yearning for justice and saddened by the turn of events I was not expecting. BUT. I consider this a bittersweet and honestly fitting ending with what I now know about the book. Almondine and Edgar were reunited in the most endearing but painful of ways, and reconciled. He spoke. Claude met his demise. Trudy's "inner time" was lost to the fire. The Sawtelle Dogs 'returned' to the wild and made their own choice. It was lyrical and beautiful but, as a reader, I was devastated.
The additional themes of magic and the relationships between Edgar and the dogs and how everything was described to capture that was SO emotionally captivating I truly developed a connection to the characters...which also explains the ugly tears and the singular "NO" I screeched as I turned the last page of the last chapter.
The length of this book was intimidating but now having finished it, makes sense. All the details strung about and the differing POV's and wrap arounds contributed to the story's ending as a whole and all together made a compelling read that kept me going up to the bitter end. I really enjoyed this book and I was saddened to see it did not rival other MUCH worse books in the ratings department.
I quarreled with a 4 - 5 star review when it came time to do so, and the 5th star was only redeemed in the last chapters. I was settled at 4 stars for majority up until the last 40 or so pages. I am ok giving this 4.5 over all as a result.
I struggled a bit with the writing at times; it felt like the lyrical style of the writing was overdone to the point it felt "fuzzy" and I wasn't even sure what I was reading. The timeline of events and changing of POV made me go back to re-read several times. I wasn't even sure what the first chapter/epilogue even meant when the story began. (That was quickly full circle later.) And I was disheartened by the ending...but looking over this as a whole it makes sense. In its own sad, longing way.
But that is where the criticism from me ends: yes, there was perhaps too much of the "waxing poetry" mentioned in other reviews, though I am hardly a critic as I tend to adopt a similar if not the same writing style/habits of description. (again, fuzzy.) Yes, the descriptions of Almondine and the Sawtelle Dogs were perhaps a bit anthropomorphic but not at all in the icky, emotionally driven fashion we see in nature with most people in real life. I did not make the connection to Shakespeare or as a story fashioned after this until reading other reviews, in which case made SO much sense. I thought the story stood alone great, but could absolutely make the connection afterwards. Had I gone in knowing it was modeled after Shakespearean tragedy then my review would likely be much different.
I thought the writing was very fitting for the time and the themes: homely, magical, and something of old world. The imagery conveyed throughout the book in the scenery, the characters, and the dogs were simply divine: I felt like I was right there in every captivating moment. The author's depictions and descriptions of grief were multifaceted and all accurate...it was painfully beautiful to witness the way each character grappled with the same sense of loss and sorrow. Almondine's chapters ripped me right up. I definitely ugly cried and had to take a breather before continuing.
In lieu with the Shakespearean elements it only made sense the book ended the way it did, but I went from sadness to anger all the same. I was left yearning for justice and saddened by the turn of events I was not expecting. BUT. I consider this a bittersweet and honestly fitting ending with what I now know about the book. Almondine and Edgar were reunited in the most endearing but painful of ways, and reconciled. He spoke. Claude met his demise. Trudy's "inner time" was lost to the fire. The Sawtelle Dogs 'returned' to the wild and made their own choice. It was lyrical and beautiful but, as a reader, I was devastated.
The additional themes of magic and the relationships between Edgar and the dogs and how everything was described to capture that was SO emotionally captivating I truly developed a connection to the characters...which also explains the ugly tears and the singular "NO" I screeched as I turned the last page of the last chapter.
The length of this book was intimidating but now having finished it, makes sense. All the details strung about and the differing POV's and wrap arounds contributed to the story's ending as a whole and all together made a compelling read that kept me going up to the bitter end. I really enjoyed this book and I was saddened to see it did not rival other MUCH worse books in the ratings department.
I wish there were half stars. I mean I knew it was based on Shakespeare. I found myself in love with the writing but in a hurry to get through it because I knew what was coming could not be good. I felt the descriptions of Almondine’s reasoning skills were beyond believability but then we did have ghosts in the story and I guess she spoke for Edgar. I thought I would re-read this but after finishing it, I will not.
Edit- maybe I’ll read it again. I keep changing my rating. It’s sticking with me and I am feeling like when I finished A Fine Balance.
Edit- maybe I’ll read it again. I keep changing my rating. It’s sticking with me and I am feeling like when I finished A Fine Balance.
Very enjoyable book - The most interesting part of it was how the author would change the voice of the narrator from character to character, even including the matriarchal dog. Very powerful tool.
t was a wonderful story, well spun and I have heard that it is the middle book in a trilogy. I'm looking forward to the others.
t was a wonderful story, well spun and I have heard that it is the middle book in a trilogy. I'm looking forward to the others.
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