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The Dog of the South

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The Dog of the South by Charles Portis is a humorous and absurdist tale following the journey of Ray Midge, a man whose wife runs off with his best friend, taking his car and credit card. Determined to track them down, Ray embarks on a road trip from Arkansas to Belize, encountering eccentric characters like Dr. Reo Symes along the way. The plot is filled with quirky conversations and preposterous situations, creating a unique and entertaining narrative style that blends humor with subtle observations about human nature.

Characters:

The characters are eccentric and often frustrating, with the protagonist being notably hapless, which adds to the comedic elements of the story.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by sharp humor, clever dialogue, and a keen observational style that makes it engaging and relatable.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative involves Ray Midge's humorous quest to retrieve his wife and his car, filled with themes of failure and absurdity.

Setting:

The novel's setting spans various locations in the southwestern U.S. and Central America, depicting a nostalgic journey.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow and conversational, emphasizing character interactions over rapid plot development.
MY WIFE NORMA had run off with Guy Dupree and I was waiting around for the credit card billings to come in so I could see where they had gone. I was biding my time. This was October. They had taken my...

Notes:

The Dog of the South is a road trip novel about a man named Ray Midge who is trying to retrieve his stolen car and estranged wife.
The story involves bizarre encounters with quirky characters, including a conman and a failed doctor.
Ray Midge's character is portrayed as a hapless loser, unable to succeed in even small tasks throughout the story.
The book has been compared to A Confederacy of Dunces due to its dark humor and absurd situations.
Charles Portis is the same author who wrote True Grit, known for its strong narrative and character.
The narrative style is marked by understated humor and intricate, yet relatable dialogue.
Ray's story is set in the 1970s and takes him from Arkansas through Texas and into Central America.
The book is described as a picaresque tale, focusing more on the journey and character interactions than a traditional plot.
Dr. Reo Symes, a character in the book, adds layers of humor with his eccentric philosophical musings.
Readers often find the humor to be dry and subtle, making it a favorite among comedians and comedy writers.

From The Publisher:

Ray Midge is waiting for his credit card bill to arrive. His wife, Norma, has run off with her ex-husband, taking Ray's cards, shotgun and car. But from the receipts, Ray can track where they've gone. He takes off after them, as does an irritatingly tenacious bail bondsman, both following the romantic couple's spending as far as Mexico. There Ray meets Dr Reo Symes, the seemingly down-on-his-luck and rather eccentric owner of a beaten up and broken down bus, who needs a ride to Belize. The further they drive, in a car held together by coat-hangers and excesses of oil, the wilder their journey gets. But they're not going to give up easily.

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