Nop's Trials: A Novel [Paperback]

Donald McCaig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2007

Here is the story of a family and two remarkable individuals -- Lewis Burkholder, a farmer in Virginia, and his young Border Collie, Nop. When the dog is stolen, Nop embarks on an ordeal of peril and hardship that he survives only through courage and love. The same qualities in Lewis enable him to search relentlessly for his sheep dog -- a search that takes him far from home and touches forgotten corners of his life.

"NOP'S TRIALS held me in fascinated suspense to the last page. Poignant, authentic and beautiful...This insight into animal and human nature is masterly." --James Herriot

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Nop, the main character in McCaig's pleasurable out-of-print classic, is a sheepdog run competitively by his Virginian master in the kind of "trials" that test such a dog; when some unscrupulous rednecks steal him, other kinds of trials begin.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Does justice to both its human and canine characters."--New York Times

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Lyons Press (July 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159921136X
• ISBN-13: 978-1599211367
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming but heartbreaking, April 24, 2003

By 

Susan B. Rayburn "edsuerayburn" (Bruceton Mills, WV United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nop's Trials (Paperback)

This is a fantastic book for dog lovers, and Border Collie fans in particular. Written in a very readable style, with subtle humor and warmth, it is hard to put down. I especially liked the insights into the thoughts of the individual dogs, and their "conversations". It is very obvious that the author both loves and understands dogs. However, I did find some scenes concerning the abuse of dogs to be highly upsetting, even though the actual abuse was not generally graphic but the results were obvious. To be made aware that people treat animals so inhumanely left me feeling very distressed although the book, as a whole, was wonderful.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Dog & Animal Lovers, February 20, 2003

By 

ED Detetcheverrie "Q" (East Coast, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nop's Trials (Paperback)

I first read a condensed version of this story years ago, and it haunted me. I had to learn what I was missing and was highly pleased recently to attain a copy of this complete book for my very own. McCaig writes in a very simplistic, to the point style which flows smoothly and quickly, telling a story of how an honest, hardworking farm man loses his newest stockdog in an unfortunate series of events which only seem to bring the two even closer together at the end. Nop's trials describe not only Border Collie stockdog trials--herding sheep and such for prizes--but the trials he must endure just surviving, wondering if he will ever see his master again or work again on his farm. It is intriguing to note that while you may occasionally "hear" what the dog's point of view is, he is speaking in his own dog language which humans may interpret or misinterpret as they will. A great read for any age, there are a few disturbing scenes described which may upset very young or particularly zealous animal lovers of any kind. Overall, this book deserves its place with all the other great animal stories like Watership Down, Tailchaser's Song, Firebringer, White Fang, The Black Stallion, and The Plague Dogs.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is awesome!, November 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Nop's Trials (Paperback)

I have never read this book, but I have listened to it on tape. I fell in love with it, and it is probably my all time favorite book. I am a huge pet fan, I have many, many pets myself. This book is not just about pets, though. It has drama, humor, family situations, and it is just an all-around story. I recommend this book to anyone, and I am planning on buying it myself very soon!