Author: Luis Carlos Montalvan
Publication Year: 2011
Publisher: Hyperion
Edition: ARC
Source: My Stacks
Date Completed: 5/2/2011
Setting: n/a
Rating: 3/5
Recommend: unsure
This memoir while interesting, is as much, if not more, about a dog's master, a wounded US Army Captain, as it is about a dog, a sensitive, Golden Retriever named Tuesday.
Luis Carlos Montalvan, spent seventeen years in the US Army earning combat action badges, two bronze stars and a purple heart. At home after his release he was a lonely, broken and bitter man. Not only was he left severely disabled by his war injuries, but he also suffered the traumatic psychological after effects of war as well, and learning to endure the painful memories of war through PTSD.
Tuesday, was an extremely sensitive service dog. In his early life, he suffered abandonment issues when he was moved from one prison inmate trainer to another. However, even a dog can find his true calling in life, and that he does as service dog to Luis Montalvan, helping to transform his life. Tuesday and Luis first met on Tuesday, election day 2008, hence the name Tuesday.
Until Tuesday
, is the story of dog and man. It's a story of fate, of love and of the bonding of like souls. Although I was hoping to love this book, that did not happen. It took me forever to read this book because of the rambling writing style. I found the story heavily bogged down in detail and minutia. Detail upon detail of war and of the inept leadership of those military leaders who were in charge. In addition, detail upon detail of most every aspect of Montalvan's life, during his military service and afterwards. Perhaps I was expecting more of an upbeat story once Tuesday arrived as Montalvan's companion and service dog, but that just never happened. Don't get me wrong, this book has an important story to tell, a story of war, a story of a man left broken, and the story of a dog named Tuesday who helps a broken man cope with life in the aftermath of war. It's just that if are expecting a succinct story, more of a warm and fuzzy feeling book, about man and dog, then this book may leave you a bit disappointed, as it did me. It is just not that kind of story.
This sounds like a story that has a lot of potential. I'm not sure it's executed all that well from your review.
ReplyDeleteWell, the cover looks warm and fuzzy. Too bad.
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad, it would have made a good story if told properly. He should have let the dog do it!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like this could have been an excellent book, but somehow it just missed the mark. It's too bad, because I had been thinking about reading it at some point. Thanks so much for your honesty in this review.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame. This could have been a great book.
ReplyDeleteOh, too bad. I had hopes when I first started reading your review for this book to be wonderful (I'm guessing it's in need of a good editor). Service dogs are so important too bad this book didn't work.
ReplyDeleteI'm not totally sold on this one, but I think it would be better knowing what to expect going in.
ReplyDeleteI think I heard this man interviewed on NPR. His story with the dog was fascinating. Because of PTSD, he didn't like to be startled and the dog learned to look around the corner to warn the man if someone was coming around the corner. The actual story sounds amazing. Too bad the book didn't follow through. Maybe it is something that other veterans will enjoy because of the details.
ReplyDeletei can see how it has potential. i'm really not into man and dog books myself, so i probably would have a similar reaction to the book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honest review, Diane. I hadn't heard much about this book before.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure I will read this book but I always find your reviews very interesting and enjoy reading them.
ReplyDeleteI'm bummed about this one...I hate getting weighed down by details that really don't add to the story. I don't feel too rushed to read it as this was sent to me unsolicited. Thanks for your always honest and great reviews!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it could have been good but I have problems with stories that ramble.
ReplyDeleteI still think I would love this book. I'm going to have to see if I can get ahold of it. Thanks for your review.
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