Customer Reviews

I Am the Codyman

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book has much going against it: a "small publisher,"
a Canadian author and an uninviting layout with small type. However, once I picked up this book, I got hooked!

When Cody's "mom" died, Cody inherited the magnificent suite at a luxury hotel where he had been living for many years. The author creates a legal scenario that, while not likely, is certainly plausible. Cody will remain in the suite, paying the going rate from his trust fund. Each night the hotel will try to find him a roommate (Cody hates to be alone) who will get free occupancy of the suite on condition of sharing with the dog. The General Manager is reluctant, but money -- and the threat of the money moving to another hotel -- convinces everyone to accept this unusual arrangement.

Cody can understand conversation around him, as well as speech of dogs and cats he encounters. His loveable personality encourages guests to talk to him. Cody learns a lot about the guests and they, in turn, find their lives changing after a night in the suite. Cody sometimes helps the situation along. He listens but he can't talk and never steps outside the physical limitations of the canine species. Only one guest seems able to hear Cody and carry on a real conversation, but the others feel Cody's love and are inspired.

It's a feel-good story, no doubt about it, on the order of Miracle at St Cecilia's. We learn what the dog thinks, as we do in the Midnight Louie series (Carol Nelson Douglas) or the Mrs. Murphy series (Rita Mae Brown). Cody reaches out to those who are homeless and orphaned. There's only one villain or threat to Cody and the evil stays hidden, like the backstairs region of the hotel itself.

This author, Linda Stubbs, can write. Either she had a good editor or she's a natural. I didn't find myself mentally crossing out excess lines. Her dialogue is flawless. She creates a "voice" for
the dog that is uniquely his and she captures the different personalities that move around him. And she keeps the emotional suspense up throughout the book: we have romantic liaisons and we can't help wondering what will happen to those we meet.

If this edition had been packaged with more elegance, we would be reading it at the browsing tables of leading bookstores. It's not for everyone. But if you have someone on your gift list who's an absolute fanatic about dogs, someone who has to be reminded, "He's only a dog!" I recommend this book. I should know.

Linda Stubbs captures the personality of a West Highland white terrier without sounding silly or trite. The short chapters make for great bedtime reading, even by or to children. And Cody's encounters lend themselves nicely to family discussions about friendship, trust, and caring for the less fortunate. Cody's tale is imaginative, engaging, and lively -- fun reading for book and dog lovers of all ages.

What a great book.It moved me to tears in some places and laughter in others.If you love dogs you`ll love this book.If you are looking for literature to share with your children,young and old,you`ll love this book.It is refreshing to read the english language as it is meant to be ,without any profanity.This book deals with real life issues of true importance in such a subtle gentle way.Issues of kindness,friendship,loyalty,generosity and spirit.I was left not with a sense of preaching or concrete ,right or wrong answers,but rather a sense of responsibility to my fellow man.Long after I read the book I found myself wondering how I line up in my treatment and judgement of those around me.One more thing,after reading the book you become very careful of what you say around your dog.

i must first apologize to the author linda stubbs for
taking such a long time to finish her book. unlike
most others who start a book which is so good that they
hate to put it down,well with me,i have great difficulty
in finishing a real good book. the codyman was one of
these.this accounts for the amount of time it took
me to present my review.
each chapter had something which tugged at my heart
and brought both laughter and tears.cody eventually
became a 4 legged human to me and the kind deeds to the
troubled and less fortunate people made me think of how
most of us slide through life championing our own causes.
also, i must admit i thoroughly enjoyed the codyman's
sarcastic wit and must commend the author for maintaining
that snap to cody's dialogue.i look forward to the next
publication from linda,but must insist she buy the
kleenex tissue for the wimps in the crowd.
sandy (ex-navy deepsea diver & tugboat captain)

I must say, this was quite a bit better than the Bible......I can only hope that Linda Stubbs is working on a sequel to this amazing work. Some say John Steinbeck wasn't very deserving of his Nobel Prize for his literature, but Mrs. Stubbs, you leave no question as to who will be hoisting that trophy shorty....

This enticing and thought-provoking "tail" is about a Westie named Cody. He opens his heart and teaches us about sharing, and makes us wonder what would the world be like if dogs could really speak. A better place, I think. They could teach us (humans) how to love unconditionally, and share with those less fortunate, without expecting anything in return. Highly recommended reading. An ideal gift book for all ages, from children to senior adults. Charming and heartwarming for all.

Arlene Millman
author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY
(The tale of a remarkable Boston Terrier)

Linda Stubbs I Am The Codyman is a engaging and entertaining novel about a dog with an unusual talent. Living at a hotel as a bequeathal from his late "mother," Cody has his own suite; each night a hotel guest is allowed to enter and confess their hearts and troubles to the understanding and sympathetic canine. Highly recommended and rewarding reading, I Am The Codyman is a story of helping people find happiness and the insight that comes from trust.

This is a fun book! It made me laugh out loud, it made me cry. The dog never does anything that any ordinary dog wouldn't do, yet the author takes us right into the mind of the dog and gives us a viewpoint that most people don't think of. That's what makes it so funny - yet so real! I actually look at my dog differently now! The book is written in short sections which makes it easy to pick up for short periods of time. Of course, I didn't always want to put it down after a short period of time! I read it quickly because it was so enjoyable. I intend to read it aloud to my kids (age 6 and 7) next.

I just fell in love with Cody. Linda Stubbs has done a terrific job describing this lovable little westie. I have 2 adorable westies and I know how these little guys can capture your heart. Cody's adventures in each chapter are worth going back and reliving with him. This book is certainly worth a sequel and better still how about a movie. This is really a book worth reading and passing on to others!!!

What a great book.It moved me to tears in some places and laughter in others.If you love dogs you`ll love this book.If you are looking for literature that you can share with your children you`ll love this book.It deals in such a gentle way with issues of true importance,ie.kindness,friendship,loyalty,generosity and spirit.It has made me more careful of what I say to my dog.