Do you think your dog understands what is happening in your life? And maybe even has his own ideas about what you say and do? Far fetched maybe, but the writers of these novels would probably agree with you.
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Loyal companion Enzo looks back on his life with his master, race-car-driver Denny and his family and hopes for the day when his life as a dog will end. He hopes to be reborn as a human to use the lessons of love, loyalty and compassion he has learned.
For more on the book and a short video narrated by Enzo
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
A much acclaimed first novel with a mute boy and his beloved dogs center stage. Edgar and his family raise dogs and when his uncle arrives at the farm and his father dies, Edgar is alarmed by his uncle’s attentions to his mother. He flees into the wilderness with the dogs. You will get lost in this story with its hints of Hamlet and its look at the limits of language and riveting family dynamics.
Read the NY Times review
Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst
A professor’s wife falls from backyard tree and dies. The only witness is Lorelei, the couple’s Rhodesian Ridgeback. Convinced that the death was not an accident, the widower uses his skills as an expert in linguistics to try to teach the dog to talk. A love story and a mystery, this is about the connections in a marriage and the ways in which intimacy and privacy are played out. The dog is the key. A unique and compelling story.
For more about the author
These non-fiction authors certainly respect their canine friends.
Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog by Josh Grogan
A beloved pet gets his master’s heartfelt tribute in this bestseller. Grogan and Marley seem to read each other’s thoughts. For an audio interview with the author about his “overnight success”
Good Dog. Stay. by Anna Quindlen
The life and death of the beloved black Labrador Beau and the lessons learned from his go-with-the flow, stay-in-the-present personality. Quindlen’s family and Beau grow up together in this bittersweet memoir. Quindlen’s philosophy ( maybe learned in part from Beau)
