Well he’s quite a lovable character, isn’t he? The ideal companion, really – intelligent, well read, humorous, good looking, protective. Unfortunately he speaks such a different language that a relationship with him would be based on soulful looks and some rudimentary communication for practical purposes -a bit like those holiday romances you used to have with the help of half remembered O level Spanish.
I love the references in this book to other dogs in fiction and in the world in general, not to mention the dog’s eye view of real people such as Jack Kennedy, Lillian Hellman, Allen Ginsberg. It all makes a kind of sense. I’m not sure how much more it’s helping me to know Marilyn, although the acting class and her therapy session both show her vulnerability. I like that we are shown her sense of humour too, and that the cruel stuff about her being difficult and impossible to work with are not dwelled on (at least not in the part I have read so far).
There have been moments where I have laughed out loud in this book – I love the description of Lassie: “a dog whose eyes blazed with the existentialist thinking of Martin Heidegger”. We know it ends in tears but I am enjoying the journey.
Have you read other books from a dog’s or other animal’s point of view? I’m thinking Black Beauty and 101 Dalmatians but I’m not sure if in fact these are told from the animal’s viewpoint or that’s just my memory. One of the things we might discuss next Monday, plus who would write your biography, animal or object wise? Animals would only be able to give a slice – which is why Maf’s part in his owner’s life is so well timed and poignant. Maybe your handbag could reveal more about you, a dogsbody in leather clothing.
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