Lily and the Octopus
Ratings23
Average rating4
Beautiful, funny, sad – keep a box of tissues close by because you're going to need them. About halfway through the book I realized this is a novel, not a memoir, but it reads very personal like a memoir.
I wasn't enjoying the protagonist's voice in this. Plus, I realized I don't want to read about a dog dying.
I don't read many pet books because they all start and end the same way due to natural life span differences. This was a unique view of the relationship with a elderly dachshund and her lonely, isolated, alcoholic owner. He interprets her decline through his active denial, writing skills, and dreams. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
I think it's best if you read this one for yourself. How do you know it might be a book for you? Take a look at the cover. What do you think? Appealing? I say buy it.
(Warning...spoilers...Note that it is a dog book. Surely you know what dog books encompass? I'll say no more.)
I loved this. If I had (1) a pet and (2) a heart then it would have been 5*
Many of a have lost pets and had to make the agonizing decision of when or if to let our dear animal go. To many non-household members, this situation doesn't mean much. But, to us, it's heart-wrenching and the grieving process is long.
After absolutely loving the author's “The Guncle,” I had high hopes for this earlier book. But, I found myself checking out almost right away. The entire octopus analogy was way too drawn out and childish. Once I hit the halfway point and little had happened, I decided to skim. Thank God, because the boat trip was making me lose my mind just peering at the pages.
I still have high hopes for Steven Rowley's books, but cannot recommend this one.
I know I am in the minority group here but this book didn't enthrall me at all. The “octopus” idea very quickly became irritating, the dog talking in capitals with exclamation marks was also irritating, and Ted drove me nuts. The last section improved a little but not enough to save it.