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kathystl's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't really know what to rate this. It's a very complicated book, and I would have probably not finished reading it if I hadn't been reading it with a book club. If you do read it on your own, definitely read the back cover info.
vexatiousbird's review against another edition
5.0
I finished this less than an hour ago. I spent most of that time doing nothing but reflecting on what I'd just read, trying to comprehend more than I had already, going back and rereading passages, re-analysing. Yet I'm still unable to put into words the effect it's had upon me. It's an extraordinary piece. The line between reality and the narrator's delusions, or dreams, or simply symbolic retelling- it's done beautifully. The writing is at times poetic, at times harsh and relentless. It's entirely engaging and nearly impossible to put down.
Symbolism abounds. It's not a difficult read- in fact it's fairly fast- but it does request the reader's analysis. Some of the settings were quite easy to recognise, as in Red Riding Hood and Old Mother Hubbard. Others were, as the cover mentioned, more spiritual in origin. As I'm not highly educated in Christian ideas, or indeed less prominent Biblical stories, I found some of it harder to decipher. I saw glimpses of the Transfiguration, but mostly my interpretations were fairly abstract.
However, despite spiritual symbolism, I wouldn't describe it as overtly religious. You might think so from the Table of Contents, with chapters "illustrating" concepts like penitence, faith, prudence, and grace. Yet the interpretations of those are quite cryptic or even contrary at times, and the chapters never seem to preach ideals, or even offer them clearly to view. If they did, it was in a very cynical manner.
It's undeniably a dark read. Though it all seems to be taking place in the narrator's mind, there is significant violence. There are themes of enslavement, violation, and persecution. To fully place yourself in the narrator's shoes offers a terrifying ride. I found her fully sympathetic, and her journey overall highly emotional. Fortunately, though the end can't exactly be described as uplifting, there are enough moments of peace to offer respite from the more nightmarish scenes.
Symbolism abounds. It's not a difficult read- in fact it's fairly fast- but it does request the reader's analysis. Some of the settings were quite easy to recognise, as in Red Riding Hood and Old Mother Hubbard. Others were, as the cover mentioned, more spiritual in origin. As I'm not highly educated in Christian ideas, or indeed less prominent Biblical stories, I found some of it harder to decipher. I saw glimpses of the Transfiguration, but mostly my interpretations were fairly abstract.
However, despite spiritual symbolism, I wouldn't describe it as overtly religious. You might think so from the Table of Contents, with chapters "illustrating" concepts like penitence, faith, prudence, and grace. Yet the interpretations of those are quite cryptic or even contrary at times, and the chapters never seem to preach ideals, or even offer them clearly to view. If they did, it was in a very cynical manner.
It's undeniably a dark read. Though it all seems to be taking place in the narrator's mind, there is significant violence. There are themes of enslavement, violation, and persecution. To fully place yourself in the narrator's shoes offers a terrifying ride. I found her fully sympathetic, and her journey overall highly emotional. Fortunately, though the end can't exactly be described as uplifting, there are enough moments of peace to offer respite from the more nightmarish scenes.
ttsparks's review against another edition
5.0
A little free library find. When I first tried to read this I could not get into it and almost got rid of it. I tried reading it again a few years later and loved it. It's weird and at times made me feel super uncomfortable. I know that I didn't always understand all the symbolism. The ending! It is still with me months later. One of my favorite books of 2020.
heathrayhay's review against another edition
5.0
I treated this book like a reliquary. I read each chapter at least twice going back over passages again and again to see if there was anything I had missed. It was recommended to me by my best friend and I found myself texting her at odd moments to say, "there is so much in here about abuse/abusive relationships!" or "This could be a meditation on care or care giving" or "I could see how this could be about mental illness." All of this before I finally gave in and saw that it was about everything that is powerful and violent in relationships and being in this world, those things that are speakable and unspeakable.
The Dogs was well worth taking the time to read and re-read. I called out certain passages in the book that, as I read, felt like someone had kicked me in the chest. I can't remember reading something that made me feel as excited and engaged with a text as this book.
The Dogs was well worth taking the time to read and re-read. I called out certain passages in the book that, as I read, felt like someone had kicked me in the chest. I can't remember reading something that made me feel as excited and engaged with a text as this book.
mich_'s review against another edition
This is the 2 time I’ve tried to get though this book and to be fair I did get much further than last time, but it is just kinda confusing. It’s mostly my fault cuz I just don’t get it
starnosedmole's review against another edition
4.0
The rhythm and viscerality of Brown's prose hooks the reader seductively, prompts a laugh, then punches you in the gut. A mesmerizing little novel about trauma, coping, faith and more.
katecthompson's review against another edition
So glad I got to enjoy this as a part of Frizzlit Quarantine Book Club
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