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The Book of Dog
It’s the night of the Yellow Puff-Ball Mushroom Cloud and a mysterious yellow fog is making its way across the world, sowing chaos in its path. Mt. Fuji has erupted. The Euphrates has run dry. In America the White House is under attack by giant bears, the President is missing, and the Vice President has turned into a Bichon Frise. It’s Apocalypse Time, my friends. Soon the Beast will rise. And six unlikely women must make the perilous journey to the Pit of Nethalem, where they will stop the Beast from fulfilling its evil purpose, or die trying.
The Book of Dog is a novel of startling originality: a tale of female friendship, politics, religion, demon possession, motherhood, love, betrayal, and occasional apocalypse. It’s a contemporary Candide with a dollop of Animal Farm and a dash of Metamorphosis thrown in. It wryly explores how even the most insignificant and powerless of people, when working together, can change the world.
The Book of Dog is a novel of startling originality: a tale of female friendship, politics, religion, demon possession, motherhood, love, betrayal, and occasional apocalypse. It’s a contemporary Candide with a dollop of Animal Farm and a dash of Metamorphosis thrown in. It wryly explores how even the most insignificant and powerless of people, when working together, can change the world.
212 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2018
About the author
Lark Benobi
1 book2,966 followersI'm the avatar of author Claire Oshetsky, who wrote the novels
Poor Deer
, published in January 2024, and
Chouette
, published in November 2021.
Even though I'm a lowly avatar, I am an author, too, of The Book of Dog , a lighthearted apocalyptic romp in which women inherit the earth, just as Laura Dern predicted they would in the 1993 classic Jurassic Park. It has pictures.
I'm a big reader and I love exchanging views with other book lovers here on Goodreads. The comments I leave after reading a book aren't recommendations. They aren't strictly reviews. They're snapshot reflections of my reading experience. If I don't like a book very well the first time I frequently go back to read it again, to see what I missed, and usually I'll like it better the second time.
I'm autistic. My autism affects how I read and how I write. I'm attracted to rhythmic, repetitive, metaphorical language. I prefer the precise word to the vague word. If you follow my reviews here on Goodreads then you'll begin to see patterns in my responses to fiction and you might find my responses idiosyncratic but I hope you'll also find them entertaining.
I'm nonbinary. I will answer to “Viking Warrior." But you can feel free to call me "they" or "lark" or "hey, you."
🌴
Even though I'm a lowly avatar, I am an author, too, of The Book of Dog , a lighthearted apocalyptic romp in which women inherit the earth, just as Laura Dern predicted they would in the 1993 classic Jurassic Park. It has pictures.
I'm a big reader and I love exchanging views with other book lovers here on Goodreads. The comments I leave after reading a book aren't recommendations. They aren't strictly reviews. They're snapshot reflections of my reading experience. If I don't like a book very well the first time I frequently go back to read it again, to see what I missed, and usually I'll like it better the second time.
I'm autistic. My autism affects how I read and how I write. I'm attracted to rhythmic, repetitive, metaphorical language. I prefer the precise word to the vague word. If you follow my reviews here on Goodreads then you'll begin to see patterns in my responses to fiction and you might find my responses idiosyncratic but I hope you'll also find them entertaining.
I'm nonbinary. I will answer to “Viking Warrior." But you can feel free to call me "they" or "lark" or "hey, you."
🌴
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
December 9, 2020
4.5 stars
Thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking throughout - this book had it all. I have a strong feeling that I will be diving back in for a re-read before the year is out.
A great evil that has swept over America, spreading lies and false promises.
And I honestly didn't expect to like it - political books aren't my thing. And political commentaries about society are so left-field from what I normally read that I was extremely apprehensive.
Turns out, I was worrying for nothing. Lark Benobi covered the politic aspect with such an amazing touch that I was continuously impressed and delighted by every moment.
One of my favorite examples can be found when Benobi comments on religious extremists.
Honestly, I feel like my review will never be adequate for this book - you will just have to check it out yourself!
With thanks to the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
Funny, witty, exciting and engaging!
As for Stella King, she was unexpectedly pregnant with the unborn child of the Beast.
It could have happened to anyone.
Thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking throughout - this book had it all. I have a strong feeling that I will be diving back in for a re-read before the year is out.
Here is the story of how six unlikely women changed the fate of the world.The Yellow Puff-Ball Mushroom Cloud and its corresponding yellow fog is creeping its way across America.
"Has no one been out of town lately? It could be the end of the world for all you know."Citizens are slowly succumbing to its inexplicable and inescapable influence - whether it be their minds or their bodies, everyone is changing in one way or another.
A great evil that has swept over America, spreading lies and false promises.
The Beast could fool the best of them, and he almost always got his way.Stella King, along with five other women, stumble their way through the apocalypse and finding the strength in each other. Their group may be unconventional, but together they must rise to fight the good fight.
But maybe not this time.
"The undocumented and disabled. The forgotten ones. The left behinds. The last will be first. It's our turn. All of you need to fight together, every which way you can, and then some, and then some more, and even after you do all that, you will probably fail, and then die."If you can't already tell, I adored this one.
"Your advice feels problematic..."
And I honestly didn't expect to like it - political books aren't my thing. And political commentaries about society are so left-field from what I normally read that I was extremely apprehensive.
Turns out, I was worrying for nothing. Lark Benobi covered the politic aspect with such an amazing touch that I was continuously impressed and delighted by every moment.
One of my favorite examples can be found when Benobi comments on religious extremists.
[Stella's] little pink pocket Bible fell open and she read: THE BEAST STOOD BEFORE THE WOMAN ... TO DEVOUR HER CHILD AS SOON AS IT WAS BORN.It's hilarious, to the point and above all, doesn't rely on horribly abrasive humor to force a laugh.
"Well, that can't be good," she murmured. "Honestly I had no idea that religious people had such violent beliefs."
Honestly, I feel like my review will never be adequate for this book - you will just have to check it out yourself!
With thanks to the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
September 10, 2018
NOW AVAILABLE!!
#vacationreading
no. 5
"Well that was something," Stella said.
this is a very…contemporary satirical look at the run-up to a possible apocalyptic scenario that begins with the spread of a “Yellow Puff-Ball Mushroom Cloud,” which disrupts the weather before going on to overturn the order of the world, eventually turning people into different animals.
a pregnant teen is about to pop out the spawn of The Beast (and the fetus is very chatty), and a group of “unlikely,” “insignificant” women (or, once-women, now animals) will be placed into position to prevent the full-on apocalypse from coming to pass:
”The undocumented and disabled. The forgotten ones. The left behinds. The last will be first. It's our turn. All of you need to fight together, every which way you can, and then some, and then some more, and even after you do all that, you will probably fail, and then die."
"Your advice feels problematic…”
it’s a fun, crazy, thought-provoking journey and - yes - it is illustrated:
even though i’m not much for political fiction (reading is how i escape from all of the things in the world), it’s a broad-spectrum satire that encompasses not only today's worrisome political sphere, but it also lassos in various aspects of the social, cultural, religious, personal and natural worlds for pointed commentary.
as far as political satires involving anthropomorphized animals, this one is a lot more rollicky fun than Animal Farm and has more pig latin than actual pigs.
there’s something - to me - a little freeing about turning into an animal, as long as you get to be a good one, like a bear. or one of these little creatures in a traveling pack of mischief pals:
later on, she turns into a goat, so the lesson here is, ‘don’t worry about looking crazy, because crazy things happen all the time.’ lesson two is ‘please don’t ever let me turn into a goat.’ i wanna be something chubby and fuzzy with big eyes and clever hands. lesson three is 'read this book if you want to feel hopeful about how even marginalized, habitually overlooked people can overcome impossible odds by working together. even if they are goats.'
come to my blog!
#vacationreading
no. 5
"Well that was something," Stella said.
this is a very…contemporary satirical look at the run-up to a possible apocalyptic scenario that begins with the spread of a “Yellow Puff-Ball Mushroom Cloud,” which disrupts the weather before going on to overturn the order of the world, eventually turning people into different animals.
a pregnant teen is about to pop out the spawn of The Beast (and the fetus is very chatty), and a group of “unlikely,” “insignificant” women (or, once-women, now animals) will be placed into position to prevent the full-on apocalypse from coming to pass:
”The undocumented and disabled. The forgotten ones. The left behinds. The last will be first. It's our turn. All of you need to fight together, every which way you can, and then some, and then some more, and even after you do all that, you will probably fail, and then die."
"Your advice feels problematic…”
it’s a fun, crazy, thought-provoking journey and - yes - it is illustrated:
even though i’m not much for political fiction (reading is how i escape from all of the things in the world), it’s a broad-spectrum satire that encompasses not only today's worrisome political sphere, but it also lassos in various aspects of the social, cultural, religious, personal and natural worlds for pointed commentary.
as far as political satires involving anthropomorphized animals, this one is a lot more rollicky fun than Animal Farm and has more pig latin than actual pigs.
there’s something - to me - a little freeing about turning into an animal, as long as you get to be a good one, like a bear. or one of these little creatures in a traveling pack of mischief pals:
Just when both of Josefina Guzman’s feet were safely back on the ground, some shapes made their way out of the muck and reeds. The shapes were trotting toward her. Her eyes were bad and she thought they were dogs until they stopped right in front of her: a fox and three raccoons, traveling together. Their eyes glowed. They nodded their small animal heads wisely. Josefina Guzman half-expected them to speak. Next she wondered if they were rabid. She wasn’t sure whether to step toward them boldly to scare them off, or to run away. Before she could decide, the fox let out a cry that sounded like laughter and the four creatures ran away together into the dark.
“That’s right, scat, get out of here,” Josefina Guzman said.
But she felt disgruntled to be so easily dismissed by these creatures. Also it worried her to be talking out loud to animals.
later on, she turns into a goat, so the lesson here is, ‘don’t worry about looking crazy, because crazy things happen all the time.’ lesson two is ‘please don’t ever let me turn into a goat.’ i wanna be something chubby and fuzzy with big eyes and clever hands. lesson three is 'read this book if you want to feel hopeful about how even marginalized, habitually overlooked people can overcome impossible odds by working together. even if they are goats.'
come to my blog!
August 29, 2022
This is an enjoyable, surprising, and often amusing apocalyptic feminist political fairytale for adults. It has delightful illustrations by the author.
It’s a quirky story in which six diverse, marginalised women have to save the world, including one who is pregnant with the child of the Beast. It’s helpful if you’re slightly familiar with Biblical plagues, the Rapture, and the Book of Revelation.
Image: The six women
This apocalypse starts with a huge yellow mushroom cloud:
“The cloud didn’t look to her like ordinary smog. It looked sinister and alive.”
It’s set in the US, around when it was published (2018): a time of wars, melting glaciers, fake news, and a narcissistic and trigger-happy president with a large mop of distinctive, albeit red, hair.
“She wasn’t sure if what was happening to her was real, or a dream, or dementia, or death.”
As you’d expect, there are people trying to travel in a near-deserted landscape, searching for friendly survivors to team up with in the search for food, shelter, and medicine. There are deaths and transformations; dreams, a comet and other omens; talking animals, and even a miracle where a crowd is fed by five tortillas and two cans of drink.
Somehow, this never feels clichéd; instead, it’s exciting, and with enough cultural familiarity and humour to create an enjoyable dissonance with the horror.
“She was overcome to think her theology had become the literal truth and that she no longer had to rely on faith alone.”
Prophecy, not spoilers
The book opens with a poem, The Ballad of the End of Time, that summarises the rest of the plot. The whole story is peppered with foreshadowing, so it’s not a problem.
Image: When Margie sees her reflection in a puddle and realises she’s now a dog, “She tried and failed to feel alarm”.
See also
This is very much its own story, but if you’ve enjoyed any of these three, you’re likely to enjoy this - and vice versa:
• Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (see my review HERE) for similarities of comic end times and writing style.
• Kurt Vonnegut’s Galapagos (see my review HERE) for similar ideas about humanity and where evolution might go.
• Kafka’s Metamorphosis (see my review HERE) for other animalistic transformations and parallels with puberty and adult responsibilities.
Quotes
• “She couldn't make up her mind which was the real America, and which was the fake one.”
• “The general feeling in the room was one of hysterical frivolity approaching panic.”
• “The elevator came and it was empty except for the messages of death and doom scrawled across its walls.”
• “The familiar ritual made them all feel better right away because it allowed them to pour godly thoughts into their heads rather than dwell on recent unpleasant events.”
Image: Nativity with a difference
Final thought: There were so many mentions of an “L. L. Bean tote bag” I wondered if there is significance beyond its being a popular brand?
It’s a quirky story in which six diverse, marginalised women have to save the world, including one who is pregnant with the child of the Beast. It’s helpful if you’re slightly familiar with Biblical plagues, the Rapture, and the Book of Revelation.
Image: The six women
This apocalypse starts with a huge yellow mushroom cloud:
“The cloud didn’t look to her like ordinary smog. It looked sinister and alive.”
It’s set in the US, around when it was published (2018): a time of wars, melting glaciers, fake news, and a narcissistic and trigger-happy president with a large mop of distinctive, albeit red, hair.
“She wasn’t sure if what was happening to her was real, or a dream, or dementia, or death.”
As you’d expect, there are people trying to travel in a near-deserted landscape, searching for friendly survivors to team up with in the search for food, shelter, and medicine. There are deaths and transformations; dreams, a comet and other omens; talking animals, and even a miracle where a crowd is fed by five tortillas and two cans of drink.
Somehow, this never feels clichéd; instead, it’s exciting, and with enough cultural familiarity and humour to create an enjoyable dissonance with the horror.
“She was overcome to think her theology had become the literal truth and that she no longer had to rely on faith alone.”
Prophecy, not spoilers
The book opens with a poem, The Ballad of the End of Time, that summarises the rest of the plot. The whole story is peppered with foreshadowing, so it’s not a problem.
Image: When Margie sees her reflection in a puddle and realises she’s now a dog, “She tried and failed to feel alarm”.
See also
This is very much its own story, but if you’ve enjoyed any of these three, you’re likely to enjoy this - and vice versa:
• Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (see my review HERE) for similarities of comic end times and writing style.
• Kurt Vonnegut’s Galapagos (see my review HERE) for similar ideas about humanity and where evolution might go.
• Kafka’s Metamorphosis (see my review HERE) for other animalistic transformations and parallels with puberty and adult responsibilities.
Quotes
• “She couldn't make up her mind which was the real America, and which was the fake one.”
• “The general feeling in the room was one of hysterical frivolity approaching panic.”
• “The elevator came and it was empty except for the messages of death and doom scrawled across its walls.”
• “The familiar ritual made them all feel better right away because it allowed them to pour godly thoughts into their heads rather than dwell on recent unpleasant events.”
Image: Nativity with a difference
Final thought: There were so many mentions of an “L. L. Bean tote bag” I wondered if there is significance beyond its being a popular brand?
August 27, 2018
Before I delve into my review, I need to make a confession of sorts: I am an ostrich. A wild, Canadian ostrich - when it comes to politics. It's pathetic. I'm NOT proud of it. But there it is. I despise watching the news. I often declare: "I am not a political person." I obstinately nestle my head in the sand. If I don't know about it, it's almost like it's not happening. And because I am Canadian, and an ostrich, I can *almost* believe in this often snowed-in enclave of the world, whatever is happening south of the border has nothing to do with me.
I know, of course, this is not true. I do know this. And as I mentioned, I don't say any of this with pride. But I'm putting it out there, as it needs to be acknowledged in this review. Because Lark Benobi's book is a delightfully political, satirical piece on the state-of-the-nation (and actually, world) in light of the results of the most recent American election.
Like-minded people who share the author's sense of apocalypse with the ascension of the 45th president (who is never named, though his Samson-like locks are referred to a few times) will find much to appreciate in this book. If you are NOT like-minded, it will probably piss you off :D
The story features a diverse group of women who find themselves in the midst of strange events that mirror the book of Revelations, complete with the Rapture and "The Beast". The world is in chaos. And, people are turning into animals. The animal part is wonderful, by the way. I smiled at how animals are so present they have a hard time scheming, or thinking about things beyond the current smell that has captured their attention.
I have to say, the novel surprised me. This feminist fable doesn't take itself too seriously. It's funny, clever, decorated with the author's own charming illustrations, and oddly, given the topic, is optimistic and hopeful. Perhaps the world will never be the same again, is the message I received. But maybe, if people work together, we can come out on the other side better and stronger.
The message of hope is probably why this ostrich enjoyed the whole experience, causing me to see that pulling my head out of the sand might not be such a bad thing after all.
Thank you to Lark Benobi and Vegetablian Books for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I know, of course, this is not true. I do know this. And as I mentioned, I don't say any of this with pride. But I'm putting it out there, as it needs to be acknowledged in this review. Because Lark Benobi's book is a delightfully political, satirical piece on the state-of-the-nation (and actually, world) in light of the results of the most recent American election.
Like-minded people who share the author's sense of apocalypse with the ascension of the 45th president (who is never named, though his Samson-like locks are referred to a few times) will find much to appreciate in this book. If you are NOT like-minded, it will probably piss you off :D
The story features a diverse group of women who find themselves in the midst of strange events that mirror the book of Revelations, complete with the Rapture and "The Beast". The world is in chaos. And, people are turning into animals. The animal part is wonderful, by the way. I smiled at how animals are so present they have a hard time scheming, or thinking about things beyond the current smell that has captured their attention.
I have to say, the novel surprised me. This feminist fable doesn't take itself too seriously. It's funny, clever, decorated with the author's own charming illustrations, and oddly, given the topic, is optimistic and hopeful. Perhaps the world will never be the same again, is the message I received. But maybe, if people work together, we can come out on the other side better and stronger.
The message of hope is probably why this ostrich enjoyed the whole experience, causing me to see that pulling my head out of the sand might not be such a bad thing after all.
Thank you to Lark Benobi and Vegetablian Books for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2021
"All of you losers," the Great Woolly Mammoth said, "the undocumented and disabled. The forgotten ones. The left behinds. The last will be first. It's our turn."
Imagine some sort of Republican wet dream where men have been raptured away. (It makes me smile to think of Mitch McConnell and Mike Pence forever waltzing together on a cloud somewhere.)
Women, meanwhile, are sprouting horns and fur. (Ha! No more shaving and waxing for us, gals!)
But before we can achieve this idyllic scene -
There's an awful Orange Menace to be slain, and a world that needs savin', and sheesh - a woman's work is never done!
This is a strange tale that occasionally wanders over into Bizarro territory, and there's an overwhelming feeling of sadness that I didn't expect. (Or maybe it's an overwhelming feeling of being overwhelmed . . . ) Either way - I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. The ending, however, restored my faith in huwomanity, so I'll go with fourstars paws, and a couple of wagging tails for this tale.
Imagine some sort of Republican wet dream where men have been raptured away. (It makes me smile to think of Mitch McConnell and Mike Pence forever waltzing together on a cloud somewhere.)
Women, meanwhile, are sprouting horns and fur. (Ha! No more shaving and waxing for us, gals!)
But before we can achieve this idyllic scene -
There's an awful Orange Menace to be slain, and a world that needs savin', and sheesh - a woman's work is never done!
This is a strange tale that occasionally wanders over into Bizarro territory, and there's an overwhelming feeling of sadness that I didn't expect. (Or maybe it's an overwhelming feeling of being overwhelmed . . . ) Either way - I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. The ending, however, restored my faith in huwomanity, so I'll go with four
July 29, 2018
My penultimate read of 2017. This very funny book had me giggling in the corner about apocalypse and dogs. The author was inspired to write it as a response to the presidential election. I found even more funny bits in the attempts to control/understand apocalypse/rapture, the willingness to embrace new identities, and the adaptability of the characters. The ending is particularly rewarding, and I find this so often to not be the case when approaching the end of an apocalypse novel.
ETA: I read a prepub version and the book was revised between my reading and publication. Official pub date is after this, as often occurs in review copy reviews.
ETA: I read a prepub version and the book was revised between my reading and publication. Official pub date is after this, as often occurs in review copy reviews.
March 11, 2021
Audiobook....read by Bernadette Dunne
5 hours and 15 minutes
I discovered this book by accident just the other day.....
through reading wonderful reviews by lark Benobi— a Goodreads member ....and AUTHOR?/!!!!
....a Northern California Bay Area resident 🌳🥾📚🌲🪵🍄🍂🍃🌳
So....I just finished listening to this today — half of it while flat walking a trail today ( after a couple of days of not feeling well - it was nice to get outside)....
so....needing to be gut honest here: sometimes ( not always), mood affects our reading or listening.
I knew I was feeling ‘kinda resigned’....and angry at the same time....
creating an overall sad mood. I didn’t 100% know I’d finish the trail loop chosen today....(but I did - a little under 7 miles)....
I am pissed that my 2nd moderna vaccine got cancelled. OUR ENTIRE COUNTY IS SCREAMING ANGRY...( thousands of people are in my shoes)... nothing is resolved yet....but a good friend reminded me to breathe and not waste my entire energy on being mad —
eventually....things will work out....
So....I share all this because while listening to this VERY DIFFERENT- OUT OF THE BOX type book — what I can HONESTLY SHARE — is HOW I FELT about it....
Trying to explain it would be harder for me. If I had a copy of the ebook or physical book — I could probably articulate content better....
So...
I cheated....I’ve been sitting here reading other WONDERFUL reviews on Goodreads. THEY ARE ALL BETTER THAN I CAN ARTICULATE....( at least today in my funky mood)...
I had ALREADY read *Monica’s* review before taking my turn - loved it - value Monica - and was excited to dive into “The Book of Dog”, myself.
I CAN SHARE HOW I FELT.....listening to this book easier than explaining it.
...I felt *heard* ( a great feeling)....
- empowered - and reassured > both because of the books stand and for being able to ‘mostly’ understand what was going on.....
I felt more sad than happy....but when I did feel happy ... the lightness was nice.
But....most of the time (along with my mood),
I felt sad while appreciating the clever funniness.
It didn’t take long to notice that this book is incredibly- eccentric and unique—a satire-ish post-apocalypse political ‘feminist-power’ - with community powerful activists subtly focused in creating a world that works for everyone.....
a novel with animals - a pregnant woman - meth babies - a look at foster care -the spread of ‘Yellow Puff Ball Mushroom Cloud.....( you have to take your own turn to experience this),
hope for justice ....and its written by a person with a brilliant mind and imagination.
It’s amazing how affecting human and animal incarnations can be.
I don’t think most readers will feel sad, or tender in the ways I reacted.... but those deeper darker messages couldn’t be ignored, either.
At one point when the character Margie Peach fell into a funk, I thought, “welcome to the club”....
Another time the mention of eating greasy diner food made me feel sad — sad that I should clean up my own sloppy pandemic diet.... and sad that I knew I didn’t want to give up one damn thing I ate.
But then HAPPY.....”hell I CAN empower myself — can’t I? to jump in - contribute - make a little difference with others - be a TEAM for justice and the best of humanity....
To me — even with the tongue-in-cheek prose, the characters and dialogue felt real.
We are reminder of THE TRUMP BEAST....
.....who committed F....ing manslaughter in my opinion .....(he certainly had it out for the states that he hated such as California, too)....
So.....I felt sad.....
......WHILE at the same time admiring the humorous styling.
The ending made me smile!!!....loved it ....and hope it comes true!
5 hours and 15 minutes
I discovered this book by accident just the other day.....
through reading wonderful reviews by lark Benobi— a Goodreads member ....and AUTHOR?/!!!!
....a Northern California Bay Area resident 🌳🥾📚🌲🪵🍄🍂🍃🌳
So....I just finished listening to this today — half of it while flat walking a trail today ( after a couple of days of not feeling well - it was nice to get outside)....
so....needing to be gut honest here: sometimes ( not always), mood affects our reading or listening.
I knew I was feeling ‘kinda resigned’....and angry at the same time....
creating an overall sad mood. I didn’t 100% know I’d finish the trail loop chosen today....(but I did - a little under 7 miles)....
I am pissed that my 2nd moderna vaccine got cancelled. OUR ENTIRE COUNTY IS SCREAMING ANGRY...( thousands of people are in my shoes)... nothing is resolved yet....but a good friend reminded me to breathe and not waste my entire energy on being mad —
eventually....things will work out....
So....I share all this because while listening to this VERY DIFFERENT- OUT OF THE BOX type book — what I can HONESTLY SHARE — is HOW I FELT about it....
Trying to explain it would be harder for me. If I had a copy of the ebook or physical book — I could probably articulate content better....
So...
I cheated....I’ve been sitting here reading other WONDERFUL reviews on Goodreads. THEY ARE ALL BETTER THAN I CAN ARTICULATE....( at least today in my funky mood)...
I had ALREADY read *Monica’s* review before taking my turn - loved it - value Monica - and was excited to dive into “The Book of Dog”, myself.
I CAN SHARE HOW I FELT.....listening to this book easier than explaining it.
...I felt *heard* ( a great feeling)....
- empowered - and reassured > both because of the books stand and for being able to ‘mostly’ understand what was going on.....
I felt more sad than happy....but when I did feel happy ... the lightness was nice.
But....most of the time (along with my mood),
I felt sad while appreciating the clever funniness.
It didn’t take long to notice that this book is incredibly- eccentric and unique—a satire-ish post-apocalypse political ‘feminist-power’ - with community powerful activists subtly focused in creating a world that works for everyone.....
a novel with animals - a pregnant woman - meth babies - a look at foster care -the spread of ‘Yellow Puff Ball Mushroom Cloud.....( you have to take your own turn to experience this),
hope for justice ....and its written by a person with a brilliant mind and imagination.
It’s amazing how affecting human and animal incarnations can be.
I don’t think most readers will feel sad, or tender in the ways I reacted.... but those deeper darker messages couldn’t be ignored, either.
At one point when the character Margie Peach fell into a funk, I thought, “welcome to the club”....
Another time the mention of eating greasy diner food made me feel sad — sad that I should clean up my own sloppy pandemic diet.... and sad that I knew I didn’t want to give up one damn thing I ate.
But then HAPPY.....”hell I CAN empower myself — can’t I? to jump in - contribute - make a little difference with others - be a TEAM for justice and the best of humanity....
To me — even with the tongue-in-cheek prose, the characters and dialogue felt real.
We are reminder of THE TRUMP BEAST....
.....who committed F....ing manslaughter in my opinion .....(he certainly had it out for the states that he hated such as California, too)....
So.....I felt sad.....
......WHILE at the same time admiring the humorous styling.
The ending made me smile!!!....loved it ....and hope it comes true!
October 10, 2018
this story goes way back.
there is a person participating in the same goodreads group i participate in, and i like her (i figure it's a she, don't ask me why), and we follow each other through the many alleyways, corridors, and thoroughfares of goodreads. we have a good time.
we respect each other, and often disagree. quite often. she finds faults in books i find faultless. she's a persnickety reader. i am basically hmmm it's awesome what was the problem again?
then i learn she has written a book. i never get around to reading it, cuz reading is a very complex thing for me. then, then she writes another book. i ask for the ARC and she graciously sends it to me. and i think, wow how is this book going to be? cuz this person, this friend of mine who i never met but feel i know a little, is a quite exacting reader.
am i worried that her book will not do justice to her exactingness as a reader? maybe.
and then i read it, and the book is perfect. i mean perfect. in tone, in the writing, in characterization, in attention to details, in what it does, in what it chooses not to do. it's a compelling and fantastic read, frothy and funny and also generous and loving, and i read it with great joy and amazement that someone who often finds the books i like flawed can write a book i find flawless. (there is no reason for this amazement, but there you go).
so, this book. this book is a fairy tale. just like Mohsin Hamid's Exit West, it is a post-apocalyptic utopia. as i pointed out when i read Exit West, it is difficult to write convincing utopias. i think hamid succeeds in doing it cuz he gets there through generous heapings of pain and anguish. i think benobi succeeds in doing it by employing great humor and a fantastically rendered view of christianity.
what this book has taught me: you can pull off a utopia if 1. you don't take yourself too seriously and 2. you are willing to delve into the most sacred, most revered myth about the "after" and treat it with the right mixture of respect, gentleness and irreverence.
as all the sages and mystics know, there is no faith without much laughter and a good dose of irreverence.
The Book of Dog is a fabulistic rendition of the book of revelation, which unfortunately i know very little, which in turns means you'll have to draw your own comparisons when you read the novel (something you should do immediately). there is a motley group of women of various races and ethnicities, each with her own story, and these women ultimately find themselves the chosen ones to defeat the ultimate plague of the world and the seven-headed beast.
hilariousness ensues. seriousness ensues. beautifully drawn characters ensue. a prose so lovely it makes you weep ensues.
the seven headed beast is partly, of course, our dear leader, our very own president, donald j trump. this makes The Book of Dog the first novel of the trumpian era that i am aware of.
it's also a burningly feminist book. the ending is a masterpiece of no-holds-barred patriarchy takedown. it's absolutely hilarious and life affirming and hopeful and lovely.
i think you should read this book. you should find for yourself what a world in which fearless and big hearted women saunter about and do their thing can look like. you should let yourself be encouraged by the majestic power of women of good sense who unite against evilry. cuz, right now, we need precisely this kind of encouragement.
there is a person participating in the same goodreads group i participate in, and i like her (i figure it's a she, don't ask me why), and we follow each other through the many alleyways, corridors, and thoroughfares of goodreads. we have a good time.
we respect each other, and often disagree. quite often. she finds faults in books i find faultless. she's a persnickety reader. i am basically hmmm it's awesome what was the problem again?
then i learn she has written a book. i never get around to reading it, cuz reading is a very complex thing for me. then, then she writes another book. i ask for the ARC and she graciously sends it to me. and i think, wow how is this book going to be? cuz this person, this friend of mine who i never met but feel i know a little, is a quite exacting reader.
am i worried that her book will not do justice to her exactingness as a reader? maybe.
and then i read it, and the book is perfect. i mean perfect. in tone, in the writing, in characterization, in attention to details, in what it does, in what it chooses not to do. it's a compelling and fantastic read, frothy and funny and also generous and loving, and i read it with great joy and amazement that someone who often finds the books i like flawed can write a book i find flawless. (there is no reason for this amazement, but there you go).
so, this book. this book is a fairy tale. just like Mohsin Hamid's Exit West, it is a post-apocalyptic utopia. as i pointed out when i read Exit West, it is difficult to write convincing utopias. i think hamid succeeds in doing it cuz he gets there through generous heapings of pain and anguish. i think benobi succeeds in doing it by employing great humor and a fantastically rendered view of christianity.
what this book has taught me: you can pull off a utopia if 1. you don't take yourself too seriously and 2. you are willing to delve into the most sacred, most revered myth about the "after" and treat it with the right mixture of respect, gentleness and irreverence.
as all the sages and mystics know, there is no faith without much laughter and a good dose of irreverence.
The Book of Dog is a fabulistic rendition of the book of revelation, which unfortunately i know very little, which in turns means you'll have to draw your own comparisons when you read the novel (something you should do immediately). there is a motley group of women of various races and ethnicities, each with her own story, and these women ultimately find themselves the chosen ones to defeat the ultimate plague of the world and the seven-headed beast.
hilariousness ensues. seriousness ensues. beautifully drawn characters ensue. a prose so lovely it makes you weep ensues.
the seven headed beast is partly, of course, our dear leader, our very own president, donald j trump. this makes The Book of Dog the first novel of the trumpian era that i am aware of.
it's also a burningly feminist book. the ending is a masterpiece of no-holds-barred patriarchy takedown. it's absolutely hilarious and life affirming and hopeful and lovely.
i think you should read this book. you should find for yourself what a world in which fearless and big hearted women saunter about and do their thing can look like. you should let yourself be encouraged by the majestic power of women of good sense who unite against evilry. cuz, right now, we need precisely this kind of encouragement.
February 14, 2018
4 stars
It's not often that I find myself in the position of reviewing a book that hardly anyone else has read. If you have a sense of adventure and hope, this book is worth a read. Funny, with a very rewarding ending (particularly if you share Lark's views of the current ruler of 'the free world' which I definitely do), this book will take you through an apocalypse like none you've read before.
I know Lark through Goodreads and consider her to be a friend and valuable part of my virtual online booking experience. I am proud of her accomplishment and the emotional and creative impetus to write (and draw) that made this into the great story that it is. I mean, so it's brilliant in that respect alone. I dropped a star because I think there was a lot of prior mythology, literary and religious references that went right over my head. I hope to have the opportunity to discuss this as more people get a chance to read and review it here.
I also learned a valuable life lesson to never leave home without the Kitchen Shears!!!!
It's not often that I find myself in the position of reviewing a book that hardly anyone else has read. If you have a sense of adventure and hope, this book is worth a read. Funny, with a very rewarding ending (particularly if you share Lark's views of the current ruler of 'the free world' which I definitely do), this book will take you through an apocalypse like none you've read before.
I know Lark through Goodreads and consider her to be a friend and valuable part of my virtual online booking experience. I am proud of her accomplishment and the emotional and creative impetus to write (and draw) that made this into the great story that it is. I mean, so it's brilliant in that respect alone. I dropped a star because I think there was a lot of prior mythology, literary and religious references that went right over my head. I hope to have the opportunity to discuss this as more people get a chance to read and review it here.
I also learned a valuable life lesson to never leave home without the Kitchen Shears!!!!
February 24, 2022
шестеро жінок, одна з яких ведмедиця, друга стереже ядерну валізку, а третя вагітна антихристом, ідуть назустріч апокаліпсису, бо тікати від нього все одно нікуди. вони озброєні сарказмом, кігтями, розлогими таксономічними знаннями й кухонними ножицями, тому цілком можна сподіватися щасливого фіналу, і в цієї книжки таки щасливий фінал — десь як у воннеґута в «ґалапаґосі», прекрасний, затишний і нелюдський. дочитавши її сьогодні вночі, я радісно заснула, бо книжки про апокаліпсис усе-таки дуже терапевтичні, але, боюся, далі знадобиться якась важча артилерія (is it a pun? was it intended? я вже не знаю, перепрошую, але книжка, у кожному разі, чудесна).
December 4, 2017
Lark Benobi’s the Book of Dog is a tale of the logical, or at least understandable, consequences of the Age of Trump, with scene after scene ricocheting between uproarious and absurd satire, all with a recognizable core of contemporary American society and politics. The Book of Dog ends on a strangely optimistic note, leaving me feeling that all isn’t necessarily lost in 2017 America.
My limited imagination and equally limited knowledge of contemporary American popular culture leave me feeling as if I didn’t fully understand and can’t do full justice to The Book of Dog. But even from my limited perspective, I can comfortably say that in my reading experience The Book of Dog is an incomparably unique novel: Margaret Atwood with a riotous sense of humor and of the absurd, relocated to California?; James Thurber reborn from my boyhood to illustrate The Book of Dog?
Incidentally, it’s worth your time to check out Lark Benobi’s bookshelf on her website, with enough enticing titles to keep me busy for months: http://larkbenobi.com/wp-content/uplo....
My limited imagination and equally limited knowledge of contemporary American popular culture leave me feeling as if I didn’t fully understand and can’t do full justice to The Book of Dog. But even from my limited perspective, I can comfortably say that in my reading experience The Book of Dog is an incomparably unique novel: Margaret Atwood with a riotous sense of humor and of the absurd, relocated to California?; James Thurber reborn from my boyhood to illustrate The Book of Dog?
Incidentally, it’s worth your time to check out Lark Benobi’s bookshelf on her website, with enough enticing titles to keep me busy for months: http://larkbenobi.com/wp-content/uplo....
September 21, 2018
Fun and fearless, and somehow both trenchant and sweetly optimistic at the same time. What an unexpected treat. It's a quick read, playful, clever and with a very satisfying ending. Woof Say All!
November 18, 2018
Book of Dog is an epic road trip for down trodden feminists…or something. Confused?!? Me too! Are dystopian novels about the destruction of society under its own weight of injustice and misogyny and racism supposed to be whimsical, silly and fun? Also clever, and smart and for goodness sakes, kind?? Benobi paints an audacious landscape where those with the least among us end up saving the world from the 7 headed monster who resembles an orange menace but seems to be a representation of the white patriarchy. Do you recognize this enclave:
Benobi lampoons lots of high minded sacred cows, but in a thoughtful and searing way complete with fun, whimsical drawings. This was a dreamy flight of fancy and what a strange and strangely alluring trip it was. Full disclosure, Lark Benobi is a gr friend of mine but honestly if I didn't enjoy the book, I wouldn't have written a review nor would I have rated it. It was a quick, engaging and uplifting read. I read this shortly before the November 2018 election. Who knew it would be so prescient. Indeed I think women will end up saving the world. Loved this! Read it! It will bring a smile to your face and a firm slap towards the 7 headed orange menace in your world.
4 + Stars
Read the dead tree version
“It was a town mostly populated with elderly John Wayne fans and their caregivers.”
Benobi lampoons lots of high minded sacred cows, but in a thoughtful and searing way complete with fun, whimsical drawings. This was a dreamy flight of fancy and what a strange and strangely alluring trip it was. Full disclosure, Lark Benobi is a gr friend of mine but honestly if I didn't enjoy the book, I wouldn't have written a review nor would I have rated it. It was a quick, engaging and uplifting read. I read this shortly before the November 2018 election. Who knew it would be so prescient. Indeed I think women will end up saving the world. Loved this! Read it! It will bring a smile to your face and a firm slap towards the 7 headed orange menace in your world.
4 + Stars
Read the dead tree version
February 9, 2021
Over the past few years, whenever I'm overwhelmed by thoughts of the Anthropocene or by world news--especially news coming from south of Canada's border--I remember with hope two things: a documentary I saw about the flourishing of animals and nature in Chernobyl's human-free Exclusion Zone and the fascinating picture of a post-human world offered by Alan Weisman in his book The World Without Us. So, it was with interest that I came across The Book of Dog, a satire on American politics in which most of the people of the earth turn into animals and band together to fight the Beast, a creature who resembles a certain orange-haired populist leader.
This was a very fun and thought-provoking story, offering both comedy and hope to discouraged readers. Benobi writes with a fresh and invigorating voice and creates characters the reader, especially the feminist reader, will love.
I listened to the audiobook version of the story, masterfully narrated by Bernadette Dunne, but understand that the print version is accompanied by engaging drawings.
This was a very fun and thought-provoking story, offering both comedy and hope to discouraged readers. Benobi writes with a fresh and invigorating voice and creates characters the reader, especially the feminist reader, will love.
I listened to the audiobook version of the story, masterfully narrated by Bernadette Dunne, but understand that the print version is accompanied by engaging drawings.
December 8, 2018
I want to first say I feel privileged to "know" this author through goodreads, and have very much enjoyed reading lark's take on novels (which frequently differs from mine, but often overlaps too). And it's so delightful to read a novel by someone I kinda sorta know! AND IT'S EVEN BETTER BECAUSE THIS NOVEL IS ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!
What a romp! What a fantastic, unaffected, but at the same time immensely confident voice: whimsical but also serious (is there a word for this? I keep going to insouciant but that doesn't quite capture it).
It's the end of the world ... and the six women characters, in their human and animal incarnations, feel fine. Well, if not exactly fine, then at least down with whatever's gonna happen next and up for the challenge. I'd like to say here that these characters are lightly sketched but also complete, distinctive and oh-so-interesting. I can't think of better travelling companions through the apocalyptic wasteland.
And there are illustrations! And they are adorable, and simple, and entirely in keeping with the tone of the book.
Listen, I know it's awful to suggest a comparison and maybe I'm dead wrong about the influence - but it reminds me of early Vonnegut, including the illustrations, but mostly because of the humanity. That sense that we are veering dangerously close to hell in a handbasket (the Beast is none other than a six-headed, orange Tr*mp; the event triggering the end times is the release of a toxin called Agent-T), but that we - people finding each other and working together with love and kindness in our hearts (and kitchen shears in our purses) - are the only thing that might save us, or at least the last thing we should let go of even if all else is lost.
I loved it.
What a romp! What a fantastic, unaffected, but at the same time immensely confident voice: whimsical but also serious (is there a word for this? I keep going to insouciant but that doesn't quite capture it).
It's the end of the world ... and the six women characters, in their human and animal incarnations, feel fine. Well, if not exactly fine, then at least down with whatever's gonna happen next and up for the challenge. I'd like to say here that these characters are lightly sketched but also complete, distinctive and oh-so-interesting. I can't think of better travelling companions through the apocalyptic wasteland.
And there are illustrations! And they are adorable, and simple, and entirely in keeping with the tone of the book.
Listen, I know it's awful to suggest a comparison and maybe I'm dead wrong about the influence - but it reminds me of early Vonnegut, including the illustrations, but mostly because of the humanity. That sense that we are veering dangerously close to hell in a handbasket (the Beast is none other than a six-headed, orange Tr*mp; the event triggering the end times is the release of a toxin called Agent-T), but that we - people finding each other and working together with love and kindness in our hearts (and kitchen shears in our purses) - are the only thing that might save us, or at least the last thing we should let go of even if all else is lost.
I loved it.
February 18, 2018
Strange, cataclysmic events are occurring. People are transforming into animals and the veneer of civilization has shattered.
At the center of these events is a group of women, some of whom are dogs, panthers, bears, and condors, who gather together in Nethalem, CA to defeat evil and to protect the pregnant protagonist and her ill-fated spawn of Satan.
This charming fable was written by the author, Lark Benobi, to channel her feelings about the current P45*, who may be the Beast of the Apocalypse. The text is accompanied by delightful illustrations. I enjoyed this book immensely.
At the center of these events is a group of women, some of whom are dogs, panthers, bears, and condors, who gather together in Nethalem, CA to defeat evil and to protect the pregnant protagonist and her ill-fated spawn of Satan.
This charming fable was written by the author, Lark Benobi, to channel her feelings about the current P45*, who may be the Beast of the Apocalypse. The text is accompanied by delightful illustrations. I enjoyed this book immensely.
February 14, 2018
If you think the drawings are cute, odds are you'll like the story. A dystopian satire that marries the horrible and the adorable ;)
February 27, 2019
"Is this the way the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper?"
The Book of Dog is a funny whimsical romp through the end of times. It is a critique of our current political climate, the Ruler of the Free World exposed as beast "of compelling and seductive disguises" who is used to getting what he wants. In this apocalyptic adventure the world is poisoned with a noxious yellow gas. Men have been taken up into the Rapture and women have been turned into animals. In order to save the world they must wade through fake news, learn how to communicate with one another and draw upon the strengths of the smallest of creatures.
The Book of Dog is a parable for our times in which Benobi looks at environmental issues, politics, and religion. Feminist at its core, it is the female species who come together to save the world.
Special thanks to the author, Lark Benobi, for sending a copy of this book my way.
January 6, 2018
Read this while traveling from US to Italy. It was a humorous, sometimes scary, apocalyptic farce with Thurberesque (maybe not a real word but it is the adjective I want) drawings of various scenes in the book. Five plus woman turned to bears, dogs, a panther, a goat, and a majestic & large bird, as well as a pregnant, unwed, teenager, save the world from the seven-headed beast of the Book of Revelations. The beast being the less than beloved US President. Highly recommended.
November 20, 2018
Even as an avowed cat lover (which species gets a bit of short shrift towards the end of the book!), I couldn't help but be charmed by this sui generis parable. Others have invoked Orwell, Kafka, and Thurber (for the droll drawings) in attempting to find authors with similar themes/styles, all of which are certainly germane - I'd add in Tom Robbins and Jeff VanderMeer - but Ms. Benobi is in a class by herself and believe me, you've never read ANYTHING close to this. In these perilous times, it is heartening to read a book that wholeheartedly opts for goodness overcoming evil.
My sincere thanks to Netgalley, Vegetablian Books, and the author (a very recent GR friend!) for their generosity in providing an ARC in return for this honest review.
My sincere thanks to Netgalley, Vegetablian Books, and the author (a very recent GR friend!) for their generosity in providing an ARC in return for this honest review.
January 15, 2018
Very much enjoyed reading this laugh out loud funny and smart feminist fable. Finding some humor in our current political situation was just what I needed as it becomes more obvious every day what the Tweeter in Chief actually is.
February 16, 2018
So good!
I am recommending this book to all I know. Once I started I could not put it down. Absolutely wonderful!
I am recommending this book to all I know. Once I started I could not put it down. Absolutely wonderful!
December 9, 2017
A quirky, slyly humorous, and stylistically written apocalyptic story reminiscent of Douglas Adams... with wonderful Thurber-esque drawings adding to its charm. And women save the world!
September 3, 2018
A book about the apocalypse written by two dogs?! Yes!
This was a delightful book and I took it all in over the Labor Day weekend. The book is set to be released on September 6th. I was lucky to received an Advance Review Copy.
In The Book of Dog, human life on the planet is impacted by a mysterious yellow cloud that affects individual people in different ways. I don't want to say more than that. In America, the President (the current sitting President!) is hunkered down in his Colorado bunker trying to deal with the situation and reacts in ways we all know he probably would. The plot follows a six women who compelled to travel to a central location at which a final confrontation will take place. Will the underdogs prevail?
This book was sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking, and sometimes kooky as hell. It was never once boring. At times it reminded me of Vonnegut and other funny and absurd fiction I've read. Plus, the book is full of charming illustrations. A very fun read.
Highly recommended. 4.5 stars.
This was a delightful book and I took it all in over the Labor Day weekend. The book is set to be released on September 6th. I was lucky to received an Advance Review Copy.
In The Book of Dog, human life on the planet is impacted by a mysterious yellow cloud that affects individual people in different ways. I don't want to say more than that. In America, the President (the current sitting President!) is hunkered down in his Colorado bunker trying to deal with the situation and reacts in ways we all know he probably would. The plot follows a six women who compelled to travel to a central location at which a final confrontation will take place. Will the underdogs prevail?
This book was sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking, and sometimes kooky as hell. It was never once boring. At times it reminded me of Vonnegut and other funny and absurd fiction I've read. Plus, the book is full of charming illustrations. A very fun read.
Highly recommended. 4.5 stars.
February 13, 2018
A different sort of story.
I think I have never read such a strange book. Females become animals while retaining conscious attributes. It takes a while for all the men to either die or get transported up to whatever awaits.
A great battle ensues sort of following the Book of Revelations. I like the idea of the females winning for a change.
I think I have never read such a strange book. Females become animals while retaining conscious attributes. It takes a while for all the men to either die or get transported up to whatever awaits.
A great battle ensues sort of following the Book of Revelations. I like the idea of the females winning for a change.
February 12, 2018
Read this!
I don't like books like this, and I loved this one! Needs a little more editing--there are some typos and errors. But, somehow strong, and hopeful, and triumphant, all the same.
All will be well.
I don't like books like this, and I loved this one! Needs a little more editing--there are some typos and errors. But, somehow strong, and hopeful, and triumphant, all the same.
All will be well.
Want to read
March 24, 2023This Book just sounds so different and interesting 🤔 I really think I want to give it a try 💕I think I may be interested since the President of the US becomes a Bichon Frise (my dog 🐶 is a Havanese and they are a similar Bred). I often said that Jasper would do a much better job than our last President.
October 17, 2020
The Book of Dog is a VERY strange book. It seems the Book of Revelations from the Bible was the inspiration for the story, but must have been written while the author was tripping on acid. People start turning into animals from a bioweapons that was released, but there is also speculation that it something to do with a nuclear weapon that was set off, and people in the book were also suggesting that somehow cell phone towers were somehow involved in the transformation.
Anyhow, the book is a far-out story of the last days of the earth, with a young girl pregnant with the devil's baby (not anything like the story Rosemary's Baby, really), and she feels compelled to travel to a small town, Nethelem, she thinks to meet up with the baby's father, but really it is for a gathering that the animals have a feeling to travel to as well. It seems that just about all of the human inhabitants the world have been changed into some animal, and the girl, and girl friend of hers with 2 meth babies are the only people left. There is a confrontation between her and the "Beast" and with the help of her animal friends, she prevails.
I must say, this had to be one of the weirdest books I have ever read. I am not quite sure how to rate it, so I will go middle of the road.
Anyhow, the book is a far-out story of the last days of the earth, with a young girl pregnant with the devil's baby (not anything like the story Rosemary's Baby, really), and she feels compelled to travel to a small town, Nethelem, she thinks to meet up with the baby's father, but really it is for a gathering that the animals have a feeling to travel to as well. It seems that just about all of the human inhabitants the world have been changed into some animal, and the girl, and girl friend of hers with 2 meth babies are the only people left. There is a confrontation between her and the "Beast" and with the help of her animal friends, she prevails.
I must say, this had to be one of the weirdest books I have ever read. I am not quite sure how to rate it, so I will go middle of the road.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2018
This book was a delight. From the opening chapter it had a gorgeous whimsical quality. I love that there are a host of fully rounded and believable female characters, and the interactions between the characters are what makes it so warm to read. The illustrations are beautiful and really add to the text. It was almost a five star for me, but as it progressed it became more convoluted plot-wise - whilst I appreciated the references to current politics, I would have preferred if they were introduced with a little more subtlety while retaining the wonderful magic of the start. Regardless I devoured it, and would definitely recommend it to others, for me it was a welcome escape from the everyday.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
July 1, 2020
For me, this was a utopia rather than a dystopia. A mushroom cloud destroys life as we know it leaving nature to thrive and a band of forgotten women to turn into the animal forms they need to be in order to take down the patriarchy? Yes please! I loved the wry sense of humour, and how utterly unique and bizzare this book is. The many jabs to the patriarchy. The brilliant, sarcastic feminism. And, of course...the dogs.
There were some religious references which were a little lost on me but other than that I loved this book
There were some religious references which were a little lost on me but other than that I loved this book
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