A Dog's Journey; W. Bruce Cameron
Macmillian Audio - 2012
A Dog's Journey is the sequel to W. Bruce Cameron’s, A Dog’s Purpose which I listened to and enjoyed several years ago.
In this story, which picks up where the other left off after Ethan, Buddy’s former owner,
had passed away. Buddy thought his life was over as well, but he learns that
he still has a purpose, and he lives again as companion and protector to Clarity who
just happens to be his former master’s granddaughter, who he knew as a baby in
his previous life.
Buddy, now known as Molly, is with Clarity through some
difficult times. Clarity’s mother is not your ideal mother. She is very
critical of all that her daughter does and the poor girl has no self-confidence
or self-esteem. She has a friend who cares deeply about her, yet she latches on
to a bad seed who spells trouble, with school suspensions and run-ins with the
police. Meanwhile, Clarity’s witchy
mother ignores the poor dog, leaves it in the basement and doesn’t even bother
to feed it for days, while her daughter is away. Molly, on the other hand,
while extremely hungry can only think about where “his girl” Clarity is and worries about who
is watching out for her. The story follows Clarity through some difficult times with her faithful dog's everlasting love there to support her.
I like stories with dogs as narrators, and this one was
particularly funny, honest and insightful. Without going into all of the little
details of the story, I’ll just say that even though there are sad parts, and a
few slow parts as well, A Dog’s Journey, is ultimately a “feel good” story that
demonstrates how kind and loyal dogs are to those they love, and just what unconditional
love is all about. I think us humans could surely learn a thing of two about humanity
if we saw other people in the way our beloved pets see us.
The audio book was read by George K. Wilson who
did a fine job.
4/5 stars
(library audio book)
I absolutely agree with you about learning about ourselves through our pets' eyes. Or, perhaps parallel to that thought, I often wish I could be as gracious as a dog: always loving, always forgiving, always eager to make a new friend.
ReplyDeleteSo very true. I always wished I was more my my pets:)
DeleteIt sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteIt if fun to listen to what the dog thinks about all he observes.
DeleteThat sounds so woofie cute!
ReplyDeleteBrian, there is even a cat in the story:)
DeleteI like animal narrators as well and will have to look into this series.
ReplyDeletehe first book was my favorite Kathy, but this one was good too - If you like audios, I highly recommend them.
DeleteI like any books about animals if well written and this one sounds like it. Usually they have sad spots to get through, but as a furkid parent unfortunately I know there will always ultimately be a sad time Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThis one was not really sad IMO Rita.
DeleteAlthough I didn't enjoy this book as much as the original, I liked it enough to have just bought a copy of both books for my "lend-to-friends" shelf. They are both well worth the time to read. :-)
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way Debbie; the first was my favorite.
DeleteWell as long as it doesn't make you cry. I hate books that make me cry. I want to slap the author and yell at them for being so manipulative.
ReplyDeleteNope - no tears for me with this one Crystal.
DeleteI'm glad that overall it was a feel good story. Some of that sounded pretty sad!
ReplyDeleteI've been hesitant to try this, worried that it wouldn't be as good as the first. You've convinced me to give it a try!
ReplyDelete