Reviews

Between a Wolf and a Dog by Georgia Blain

noel_oracheski's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jacqui_des's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

tildahlia's review against another edition

4.0

I initially found the descriptions in this book so rich and dense to be almost suffocating, but slowly settled into this slow, contemplative book about a family carrying all the secrets, lies and resentments that all families do. Some of the similes are true genius: "The headache is there again, at the edge of her templates, like a dense cloud clotting." It's a beautiful and evocative book, best read over a rainy weekend.

bribeatris's review against another edition

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

leavesnpages's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

 "Between a Wolf and a Dog is a celebration of the best in all of us -- our capacity to live in the face of ordinary sorrows, and to draw strength from the transformative power of art. Ultimately, it is a joyous tribute to the beauty of being alive." 

Georgia Blain has managed to capture so much in such a short novel that spans the duration of only one day. 

It made me think about the memories that we keep, the things we let go of, or don't let go of, and the importance of it all at the end of the day. What are the things we want to remember? 
 But it also deals with relationships and family, and all the emotions involved in these; love, sorrow, pain, joy, regret. Of not being afraid to tell the truth, no matter how painful or sad it might be. It's about embracing the fragility of life.

philippakmoore's review against another edition

5.0

Sometimes I think the best novels are those that are set over the course of just one day. Let's face it, a lot can happen. Between A Wolf And A Dog explores the goings on of one rainy day (and a little bit into the next) in Sydney, in the lives of several characters in one family, by blood and by marriage. Blain explores the pain and heartbreak of separation and betrayal, how life as we know it can be over in an instant, and captures the minutiae of life, from the sound of the rain falling to the colour of an enamel ring on a character's hand, with a poet's touch. The plight of one character's fate is all the more poignant knowing that Blain herself passed away not even a month ago.
It's a wonderful novel and hammers home all the more what a loss her passing is to the Australian literary community.
The first book I've finished in 2017 and a good omen for my reading year.

elizabthreads's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jager123's review against another edition

5.0

And in today’s episode of Random Reviews of Random Books....Between a Wolf and a Dog. I’m inviting you to walk with me for awhile, take my hand, I’m still reeling from this insanely beautiful novel. This is an ode to family, our ability to love someone without limit and to then devastate with thoughtless words and callous actions. It is a sonnet that weaves a vivid landscape of love and loss, grief and gratitude. It is a map of the places we stop on the pathway to forgiveness, be it asking for or finding the desire to forgive. The releationships are powerful. The characters are honest in revealing who they are and where they have gone wrong. I wish I could describe how this filled my heart and then crushed it. It left me sitting here with tears falling

essjay1's review against another edition

5.0

This book is a masterclass in story telling. I am not sure I can do it justice. The story is beautifully written, keenly observed, the characters are so real I feel like I know them. I think the author intentionally gives enough clues in advance to allow her reader to figure it out what is going to happen, and what the big past event was, as part of how she wanted you to experience the book. The relentless rain, the unfolding course of events as life marches forward because you can't stop time. Maybe this is about how you can't change some things, you just have to figure out how to live with them. There is so much more to this book than my tiny review, but for now I am speechless.

waystothegrave's review

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.5