Lucky Dog (Paperback)

~ (Author) "I wished at the time that Mr Gilbert had picked someone else's office in which to have his heart attack..." (more)
Key Phrases: Snake Eyes, Folding Society, Aia Napa (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Barrowcliffe's third novel (Infidelity for First-Time Fathers) is another exercise in deadpan drollery with a hapless everyman at its center-but an ambitious strain of fantasy sets it apart, bringing him out of Nick Hornby's shadow and into John Irving territory. The hero this time out is thirtysomething single Dave Barker, who narrates. Emotionally stunted Dave has spent the last decade caring for his terminally ill mother and marking time at his failing real estate office with tart assistant Lucy. When mom dies, Dave thinks his adult life might finally begin, and that he might even take the next step, with Lyndsey, his girlfriend of four years. But then Gilbert and Reg walk into Dave's office-man and dog, respectively. Gilbert and has a heart attack, and Dave inherits Reg who, it turns out, has the gift of speech, but can only be understood by Dave; others hear it as excessive barking. Lyndsey, needless to say, is not enamored of Reg, and the quest to unload him leads Dave to a talking cat named Michael, his pig sidekick who also talks (but more tersely) and temporary wealth via a lucrative poker game. More comic complications follow, including an accidental killing, a hilarious funeral and a sticky real estate scam. Barrowcliffe's winning style and light comic touch make this a twisty page-turner of a different breed.
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Product Description

Dave Bartok is not having the best of years. His mother has just died, he is an addicted poker player, and (hugely in debt), his real estate business is sinking, and he doesn’t really like his longtime girlfriend. When he gets saddled with an abandoned dog, he doesn’t think things can get worse. And then Reg the dog starts talking --and only Dave can hear him.
 
At first Dave thinks he’s gone crazy, but he soon realizes he’s found his soul mate. Dave and Reg start off on a madcap adventure that will find them tangled up with the mob, involved in an illegal real estate deal, cleaning up at the poker table, and stumbling toward true love.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (January 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312342802
• ISBN-13: 978-0312342807
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #396,026 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lucky dog guardian!, January 12, 2006

By	K. Saan (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lucky Dog (Paperback)

A friend of mine from Germany sent this book to me as a gift, thinking I might enjoy it. Was she ever right! Once I started to read it (and got past the usual slow start) I couldn't put it down! At times I was laughing so hard that I had tears running down my cheeks. I found this book to be very witty and entertaining. I liked it so much that I ordered the other 2 books by the same author (Girlfriend 44 and Infidelity For 1st Time Fathers - they were pretty good too but not quite as delightful as Lucky Dog.)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have ever loved a dog, April 7, 2006

By	Turbocane (USA) - See all my reviews

This is a wonderful witty book written by a dog lover (I assume) who must spend a lot of time, as we do here, trying to determine what our dogs are thinking. But it isn't merely a book about a talking dog there is mystery, suspense, ethical dilemma and perhaps redemption. What a fun read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MAGICAL Book...., February 19, 2006

By	K. A. Stevenson "WIAPilot" (Tucson) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dave Barker is a rare man. He has inherited not only his deceased father's real estate business...but he has inherited his father's compulsive honesty as well. Unfortunately, Dave Barker is also a compulsive poker player. And deeply in debt - thanks to the poker losses. And his mother has just died, his girlfriend is ready to dump him, and he has just been saddled with a stray dog.
Life can't get much worse.

Oh wait. Maybe it can - because suddenly Reg, the dog, starts TALKING. But only Dave can hear him. So add being nutso to his growing list of problems....

The hilarious meanderings of Reg and the unique bond they form make "Lucky Dog" one of the most unforgettable books I've ever read! Parts were laugh-out-loud funny and parts were a little sad, and some parts had me quickly turning the pages - but none of it was slow or boring. I thought the beginning set the tone for the entire book.

I loved it. Mark Barrowcliffe has accomplished a Masterpiece!