Customer Reviews

A Dog's Life

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Written from a dog's point of view, "BOY" tells us of his trials and tribulations as he reminisces about his life. Born to a litter of 13 pups, feeding was not always easy; sometimes the closest he got to mother's milk was sucking on his brother's ear. The management team, as he so fondly calls his owners, changes after BOY fails at hunting, not realizing he is supposed to point at the bunny in the bush not pounce on it to play. We are privy to his courting of a female half his height, which was doomed from the start, along with his love of chickens and the utilities man, the fun never ends.

The scenarios are endless and each one more entertaining than the last. The book on tape is read by Simon Jones whose British accent enhances every sentence. A light, quick read that will lift your spirits and make you smile. Kelsana 3/30/01

When I picked this book up because, hey, I like dogs, and I had also heard from my parents that Peter Mayle was a very entertaining author, I thought that it might be something to just use as a diversion, like one would a magazine. I was very impressed! In fact, contrary to the thoughts of another reviewer on here, I think this is my favorite book by Mayle. Perhaps it is because I'm a dog person that I like it so much, but I really felt that this book was touching and funny and everything I would want in a light read. I haven't been as able to get into Mayle's other works, but I was immediately immersed in this one.

On less subjective notes, Mayle's use of language is excellent and the structure of the book is very pleasing, particularly to those of us who don't mind a little anthropomorphic bits in our lives here and there. Don't fool yourself, if you are thinking this will take any extra time to read, in fact, the book just whizzes by so fast, I was certainly left wanting more when I finished. Also, if you're depressed, this book will make you smile when you don't even think you could.

I really can't recall ever having read something that elicited as much laughter as "A Dog's Life"! Peter Mayle is a truely gifted story-teller with a wickedly well-honed wit and sense of humour. The way he writes it, you would have thought a real dog was behind the book! Another reminder to all and sundry once again of the joys that dogs (and puppies) can bring to our otherwise (despondent) lives....or is it, as Boy puts it, all a conspiracy anyhow, seeing as to how we humans excellently serve as "convenient support systems"? Highly recommended for everyone, dog-lovers or otherwise!

I was given this book by a good friend who said she had tried, but simply could not get into it. Having nothing else to read I figured `why not', and after three pages could not figure out what it was that she wasn't enjoying. After a while I realized what it must be - that I am a dog owner and my friend was not. Therefore, I would not be surprised to find out that some of my fellow, not so impressed reviewers, were, like my friend, not dog owners too. This is a fun, easy, must read for every dog owner that will have you laughing not only at the prose, but also at your own ridiculous pet. Read it!

This book was a light read which made my day. Peter Mayle brings his dog's personality to life with hilariously dry remarks about cats, cat lovers, inhumane humans and the things that dogs love. The descriptions of odd people behavior, food and the "cute" neighbor dog made me look at my dog in a whole new light! A great gift for any dog lover because it affirms what pet owners think: I'm being suckered by this animal. In the end it gets to the heart of why people have dogs; for companionship, friendship and love

A Dog's Life by Peter Mayle is a hilarious canine confessional giving us a glimpse from the view on all fours. "Boy" (a stray who was adopted by the author in Provence) has a clearly defined, condescendingly sophisticated French voice that throughout the book provides us with witty, entertaining commentary on human actions and human nature...from the point of view of man's best friend. His caustic, biting wit is evident from the very beginning of the book: "My story is based on actual events. However, following the current autobiographical custom adopted by politicians in their memoirs, I have adjusted the truth wherever it might reflect unfavorably on myself (Author's Note)."

Facetious and urbane, Boy recounts his numerous adventures: his humble beginnings at the "limited outlets of the maternal bosom", "mano a mano" wrangles with the cat in the garage, run-ins with French plumbers and dilettante painters, "ordeal by chicken", and finally becoming a full-fledged member of the Mayle household. We also hear his acute observations on the foibles and idiosyncrasies of everyday living with his biped "masters", as well as what he has to say about babies, cats, hygiene, poodles, crime and punishment, and "vets who insist on taking one's temperature the old fashioned way."

The humorous, quirky drawings by Edward Koren are an added bonus and really capture as well as enhance the story's flavor.

While A Dog's Life is definitely an enjoyable read, it is not to be mistaken for one of those sweet, feel-good stories with a happy ending that pulls on the reader's heartstrings. This book is by no means a saccharine paean to the dog, rather it is an ironic satire on humans and their habits and eccentricities, using a canine's perspective as a pretext. It may even make you stop and ponder the unconditional love and unfaltering loyalty you receive from your own pet (Boy explains that humans are a dog's "most convenient support system").

Being an animal lover, I particularly enjoyed this "dog memoir". I was able to relate much of Boy's actions (particularly the "seven gestures of appeasement") to those of my own adopted stray, Pixel. A Dog's Life is a must-read for anyone who owns a dog. Four paws up!

This quaint story by Peter Mayle, about a stray dog he adopted into his family will make every canine lover smile. The dog he names "Boy" takes on the human characteristics that all dog owners know their pets have. Boy speaks, he feels, he loves, he charms and he will make you laugh until you cry. This book is engagingly written and wonderfully illustrated. Peter Mayle, who has succeeded with his previous books, particulary A Year in Provence, soars with A Dog's Life. This book will thrill canine lovers all over the world

I never, ever laughed out loud. Not at comedy clubs, movies, New Yorker cartoons, nothing. It kind of bothered me -- to the point where, at times, I consciously made little chuckling noises to assure others that I was having a nice time. Then I bought this book and entered a new phase in my life. I laughed out loud. A lot.

The other reviews on Amazon.com have pretty well described the book. It's written by a dog. Apparently, a rather large dog. One that doesn't cotton much to terriers and is put off by poodles. An unpleasant early life experience with an abusive cat also left the author negatively predisposed to felines. Maybe this bias is unshared by those reading and reviewing this book that have been underwhelmed by it. Personally, I'd give it a rating with enough stars in excess of my allotted five to make up for their two- or three-star ratings if I could. But then I've got a big, hairy dog that seems not unlike the book's author.

I love this book. In fact, I think I'm going to stop writing this review, go get my dog and we'll reread this book. I'm smiling just thinking about it.

As a kid all of us must have seen Chaplin's famous movie "A Dog's life", which I consider to be one of his best movies - so there is a certain amount of expectation associated with this name. I believe Peter Mayle has lived up to that expectation - this is a fantastic book - at times hilarious and sometimes witty but never boring - there is almost not a single paragraph that you will not enjoy (you will love every page).

This is about the experiences of a dog (as the name may well reveal) but it is more from an observers point of view (the dog is the observer) - as you will notice most of the things mentioned in this book are phenomenon we watch with our own dog but forget to note. When you read it - then it registers - "well I have seen that too" - the protagonist dog is "dogly" philosophical and judges the world from a dog's point of view. "Children are in fact substitutes for dog" - quite a statement but it comes from a dog -

The other point to notice is the language - amazing use of the English language - in fact there are very few authors who can express themselves with such clarity like Peter Mayle. This is not Hemingway mythical language but crystal clear descriptions which will surely make you laugh - Edward Koran's illustrations are also quite entertaining. Buy it if you get a chance.

A Dog's Life is the autobiography of Mayle's "adopted" dog Boy, who was introduced in Toujours Provence. I first read this book on it's initial release many years ago. Already a fan of Peter Mayle after reading his earlier books I felt compelled to buy it regardless. It enthralled and amused me then, and continues to do so. Totally endearing, it reports on the human and canine social conventions with Mayle's usual dry wit and humour. It's a rare year that goes by that I don't read this little gem of a book. Despite knowing it so well, it still makes me laugh and keeps me entertained. It is complimented by delightful drawings by Edward Koren.

This current purchase was actually for a dear friend in the US who had recently become acquainted with Peter Mayle's books. As expected she loved it.

It would be a rare person I think, even if not a dog lover, who would not enjoy this book. It's a quick read too.

If you enjoy Peter Mayle's writings, this is not one to pass up. If you have never read any Peter Mayle, it's a good one to start with, but be warned, it will whet your appetite for more!