Scan barcode
postvelcro's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
lesa_reads's review
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Brutality, teen angst and black humor so basically this short story is Mad Max meets Holden Caulfield. Offensive and not for the fainthearted. (so I read it twice)
Book geeking:
1. That last line though. Terrific ending! As a short story devotee, I must say: Well done, Mr. Ellison. ๐๐๐ (pun always intended)
2. Albert! I get the joke. As a kid, I read Lad: A Dog.
3. The vibe reminds me of Leiber's Night of the Long Knives.
4. I reckon that the science in this book may have inspired Brin's Uplift books and Koontz' Watchers.
Book geeking:
1. That last line though. Terrific ending! As a short story devotee, I must say: Well done, Mr. Ellison. ๐๐๐ (pun always intended)
2. Albert! I get the joke. As a kid, I read Lad: A Dog.
3. The vibe reminds me of Leiber's Night of the Long Knives.
4. I reckon that the science in this book may have inspired Brin's Uplift books and Koontz' Watchers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Murder, Violence, and Cursing
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Racism
trish204's review
4.0
This was one of those stories I read to brush up on the big names, the classics.
I'm aware when this was written and, sadly, what people thought "a real man" should be like or, equally, how a woman should behave. Nevertheless, this is unacceptable. And considering that Harlan Ellison supposedly has spoken out against sexism for decades, it is VERY disappointing to read him pulling off the same shit in this story.
We follow Vic, a teenaged boy, and his dog, Blood, through the wastelands that used to be the US before WWIII. It's an alternate world where science has figured out a way for people to communicate telepathically with animals. The boy's dog sniffs out women for the boy because the boy is horny. So yeah, the protagonist is a serial rapist. And no, I didn't find the slightest clue that this was satire, unfortunately.
One day, they thus find another girl, but she is not exactly like the others before, even leading the boy to a group of people living underground.
Stuff happens and then we get one hell of a funny mind-fuck as the ending.
I must say that I don't mind but the whole image of women here is just so wrong.
Supposedly (I haven't done enough research to confirm this myself yet), this author is known to be provocative. As in making people uncomfortable with his stories. And he definitely succeeds.
If he had written this story slightly differently to emphasize his dislike of sexism and rape culture (such as in Meg Elison's books - funny that they share a last name, although spelled slightly differently), I would have applauded him. As it is, it feels as if this story outraged people more for the fact that than for the rapey stuff happening.
I must also confess, however, that the writing style is superb (especially considering the age of the story), engaging (enfuriating) and that I did not see that ending coming.
Defintiely a story that gets people talking, then and now.
It was therefore very hard to rate this story because of the aforementioned problems but also how it has influenced people (including me) and started countless discussions. So it did its job of being provocative and maybe the author wanting to provoke in the first place does mean he was/is critical of the status quo?
I'm aware when this was written and, sadly, what people thought "a real man" should be like or, equally, how a woman should behave. Nevertheless, this is unacceptable. And considering that Harlan Ellison supposedly has spoken out against sexism for decades, it is VERY disappointing to read him pulling off the same shit in this story.
We follow Vic, a teenaged boy, and his dog, Blood, through the wastelands that used to be the US before WWIII. It's an alternate world where science has figured out a way for people to communicate telepathically with animals. The boy's dog sniffs out women for the boy because the boy is horny. So yeah, the protagonist is a serial rapist. And no, I didn't find the slightest clue that this was satire, unfortunately.
One day, they thus find another girl, but she is not exactly like the others before, even leading the boy to a group of people living underground.
Stuff happens and then we get one hell of a funny mind-fuck as the ending.
I must say that I don't mind
Spoiler
what happens to the girl in the end since she would have had no problem leaving the dog to dieSupposedly (I haven't done enough research to confirm this myself yet), this author is known to be provocative. As in making people uncomfortable with his stories. And he definitely succeeds.
If he had written this story slightly differently to emphasize his dislike of sexism and rape culture (such as in Meg Elison's books - funny that they share a last name, although spelled slightly differently), I would have applauded him. As it is, it feels as if this story outraged people more for the fact that
Spoiler
a human is killed to feed/save a dogI must also confess, however, that the writing style is superb (especially considering the age of the story), engaging (enfuriating) and that I did not see that ending coming.
Defintiely a story that gets people talking, then and now.
It was therefore very hard to rate this story because of the aforementioned problems but also how it has influenced people (including me) and started countless discussions. So it did its job of being provocative and maybe the author wanting to provoke in the first place does mean he was/is critical of the status quo?
rapidash's review
5.0
I didnโt know where he was going with this, and then it all clicked. Really good.
doctorwoofwoof's review
5.0
I was very saddened to hear the news of Harlan Ellison's passing. While I didn't agree with him on some things, I did agree with him on a great number of them. Cantankerous, but not snarky or mean-spirited, in his writings and conversations. I found him to one of the best writers on the planet. Now, he's joined the likes of Shakespeare, Emerson, Vonnegut, all at God's assembled roundtable of literary greats! :)
Okay, that's enough of my tribute-of-sorts to Harlan Ellison. Now, for my review of A BOY AND HIS DOG.
This was a a quick, fun read. Quite literally, it is the adventure of boy (Vic) and his telepathic dog (Blood). The two rely on each other, sharing bond that comes through in all of their exchanges. A four-legged friend who became so much more than just a "canine companion".
The tale was written in 1969 and was later adapted for film by L.Q. Jones. Despite the time written, the book still reads as if written yesterday. And that was something unique about Ellison: his writing felt timeless, as if it was not tied to any particular time during which it was written.
Yes, the language can be deemed coarse at points, but still far less offensive than anything written today. The use of profanity is given to the way Vic speaks, a product of the post-apocalyptic world he was born. It never feels forced or anything approaching offensive. It just feels, for want of a better word, natural.
Again, this is a fun short story about a boy and his dog. It may not appeal to everyone, but I surely liked it and I hope that maybe you will, too.
Also, stick around after the story, as "AHBHU: The Passing of One Man's Inspiration and Best Friend". It is Harlan Ellison's tribute/memorial to his rescued dog, a Puli (essentially, a Hungarian sheep dog), and how much he meant to him, so much so that he was whom Ellison based Blood's character on. I challenge you to NOT tear up by the conclusion!
By all means, good people, please check this one out!
Okay, that's enough of my tribute-of-sorts to Harlan Ellison. Now, for my review of A BOY AND HIS DOG.
This was a a quick, fun read. Quite literally, it is the adventure of boy (Vic) and his telepathic dog (Blood). The two rely on each other, sharing bond that comes through in all of their exchanges. A four-legged friend who became so much more than just a "canine companion".
The tale was written in 1969 and was later adapted for film by L.Q. Jones. Despite the time written, the book still reads as if written yesterday. And that was something unique about Ellison: his writing felt timeless, as if it was not tied to any particular time during which it was written.
Yes, the language can be deemed coarse at points, but still far less offensive than anything written today. The use of profanity is given to the way Vic speaks, a product of the post-apocalyptic world he was born. It never feels forced or anything approaching offensive. It just feels, for want of a better word, natural.
Again, this is a fun short story about a boy and his dog. It may not appeal to everyone, but I surely liked it and I hope that maybe you will, too.
Also, stick around after the story, as "AHBHU: The Passing of One Man's Inspiration and Best Friend". It is Harlan Ellison's tribute/memorial to his rescued dog, a Puli (essentially, a Hungarian sheep dog), and how much he meant to him, so much so that he was whom Ellison based Blood's character on. I challenge you to NOT tear up by the conclusion!
By all means, good people, please check this one out!
curlybooks's review
3.0
This post apocalyptic story is a fast paced intriguing story with a wickedly good and twisted ending. Super rapey and violent just FYI. Pretty generic writing and minimal character development are the reasons this story isnโt rated higher. And the abominable representation of women.
lambamos6's review
1.0
The whole "woman actually enjoys being raped so much she becomes a nymphomaniac" aspect is really shitty.
chickflix's review
3.0
I never heard of the author until he died. Thought I'd give his work a try. Interesting, but nothing super special.
buildhergender's review
5.0
The story was good and I did not see the ending coming.
His afterwords on his real relationship with the dog that inspired the story made me cry.
His afterwords on his real relationship with the dog that inspired the story made me cry.