Who Would Like This Book:
Prepare for a thought-provoking, poignant ride - this witty, imaginative fable is a fresh look at what it means to be human, through the eyes (and noses) of dogs given human intelligence. With Greek gods meddling in modern Toronto, the book serves up philosophy, humor, and heart, balancing deep questions about consciousness, happiness, and love with surprising moments of poetry and canine insight. Animal lovers, fans of literary fiction and philosophy, and anyone who enjoys a good speculative twist will find plenty to savor, especially if you like books that linger long after the last page.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Sensitive to animal suffering? Be warned: all fifteen dogs' stories end, often in sad or violent ways, which can be heart-wrenching (and a major tearjerker for dog lovers). Some found the philosophical tone heavy-handed, the gods' interventions a bit distracting, or struggled to connect with the non-traditional narrative. If you prefer straightforward, lighthearted tales - or have a hard time with animal tragedy - this might not be your cup of tea.
About:
'Fifteen Dogs' by Andre Alexis explores the premise of two Greek gods, Apollo and Hermes, giving human consciousness to 15 dogs to see if they would be happy. As the dogs transition from their canine nature to human-like intelligence, they grapple with philosophical questions and societal dynamics. The story delves into themes of self-awareness, mortality, power struggles, and the complexities of human behavior, all narrated through the perspective of the dogs themselves. Through a blend of fiction, fantasy, and philosophy, the book presents a unique exploration of the human condition from a non-human point of view.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include graphic depictions of dog violence and death, which may be distressing for sensitive readers.
From The Publisher:
Winner of the 2015 Scotiabank Giller Prize
Finalist for the 2015 Toronto Book Awards
Winner of the 2015 Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize
Alexis] devises an inventive romp through the nature of humanity in this beautiful, entertaining read ... A clever exploration of our essence, communication, and how our societies are organized. - Kirkus Reviews
This might be the best set-up of the spring. - The Globe & Mail
Andr Alexis has established himself as one of our preeminent voices. - Toronto Star
- I wonder, said Hermes, what it would be like if animals had human intelligence.
- I'll wager a year's servitude, answered Apollo, that animals - any animal you like - would be even more unhappy than humans are, if they were given human intelligence.
And so it begins: a bet between the gods Hermes and Apollo leads them to grant human consciousness and language to a group of dogs overnighting at a Toronto vet-erinary clinic. Suddenly capable of more complex thought, the pack is torn between those who resist the new ways of thinking, preferring the old 'dog' ways, and those who embrace the change. The gods watch from above as the dogs venture into their newly unfamiliar world, as they become divided among themselves, as each struggles with new thoughts and feelings. Wily Benjy moves from home to home, Prince becomes a poet, and Majnoun forges a relationship with a kind couple that stops even the Fates in their tracks.
Andr Alexis's contemporary take on the apologue offers an utterly compelling and affecting look at the beauty and perils of human consciousness. By turns meditative and devastating, charming and strange, Fifteen Dogs shows you can teach an old genre new tricks.
Andr Alexis was born in Trinidad and grew up in Canada. His debut novel, Childhood, won the Books in Canada First Novel Award, the Trillium Book Award, and was shortlisted for the Giller Prize and the Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. His other previous books include Asylum, Beauty and Sadness, Ingrid & the Wolf and, most recently, Pastoral, which was also nominated for the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize and was named a Globe and Mail Top 100 book of 2014.
Ratings (5)
Loved It (1) | |
Liked It (2) | |
It Was OK (2) |
Reader Stats (21):
Read It (5) | |
Want To Read (12) | |
Not Interested (4) |
1 comment(s)
Finished the audiobook and while ago but haven't made an update yet on it as I often forget about the books I'm reading or have read on my libby app. I remember really enjoying it but as for now I hardly remember anything else of it. I would however read the other books in the series as I'm very courious about them. But maybe I'll should try to read them in a ebook format instead. Depends on what version I can get my little mittens on.
What can you read after
Fifteen Dogs?
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