'The Dog Master: A Novel of the First Dog' by W. Bruce Cameron is an epic tale set in the Paleolithic era, focusing on the first man who sought to tame a wolf, ultimately leading to the domestication of dogs. The story intricately weaves together multiple storylines involving tribes, wolves, survival struggles, and the evolving bond between humans and animals. The author's writing style captures the rawness of the brutal time period, exploring themes of lust, violence, betrayal, and the daily challenges faced by early humans.

The narrative unfolds through a combination of historical context, tribal life representations, and rich character development, creating an immersive reading experience. The book delves into the complexities of human relationships, tribal dynamics, and the gradual evolution of the bond between man and beast, offering a unique perspective on the origins of the human-dog relationship.

Characters:

The characters are portrayed as complex and relatable, each facing moral dilemmas and forming significant relationships.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is described as overly formal and complex, making it less accessible for some readers.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative explores the origins of dog domestication against the backdrop of tribal conflicts and human relationships during the Paleolithic era.

Setting:

The story is set in the Paleolithic era, highlighting the struggles of survival in a challenging environment.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with some readers appreciating the pace while others find it disjointed due to timeline shifts.

The big mother-wolf and her mate had made a den in a small cave along the stream. She was heavy with her pups, and she and the father had left the pack to give birth. She had done this before—left to ...

Notes:

The story is set in the Paleolithic era and explores the domestication of wolves, leading to the first dogs.

The book features three converging storylines, creating a complex narrative.

One of the main characters, a young man, tries to save a she-wolf and her pups after a lion attack.

The protagonist is banished from his tribe, called the Kindred, which adds to his struggle.

Cameron contrasts the survival styles of two tribes: the Kindred and the Wolfen, who worship wolves.

The author includes elements of romance and adventure throughout the narrative.

While the book aims to depict historical accuracy, some readers felt it strayed from factual representation.

Modern-day characters and situations are included, though many readers found them unnecessary.

Cameron draws parallels between ancient struggles for survival and current global challenges.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of violence, hunting, and survival struggles that may not be suitable for all readers.

Has Romance?

The book features elements of romance, particularly within the relationships among the human characters.

From The Publisher:

Set against the most dramatic time in our species' history, The Dog Master tells the story of one tribe's struggle for survival and one extraordinary man's bond with a wolf-a friendship that changed mankind forever.

Thirty thousand years ago, ice was storming the planet. Among the species forced out of the trees and onto the steppes by the advancing cold was modern man, who was both predator and prey.

No stranger to the experiences that make us human-a mother's love and a father's betrayal, tribal war and increasing famine, political intrigue and forbidden love, joy and hope and devastating loss-our ancestors competed for scant resources in a brutal landscape.

Mankind stood on the cold brink of extinction...but they had a unique advantage over other species, a new technology-domesticated wolves.

Only a set of extraordinary circumstances could have transformed one of these fierce creatures into a hunting companion, a bodyguard, a solider, and a friend. The Dog Master by New York Times bestselling author W. Bruce Cameron is an evocative glimpse of prehistory, an emotional coming of age saga, a thrilling tale of survival against all odds, and the exciting, imaginative story of the first dog-a perfect gift for everyone who loves and appreciates humanity's best friend.

A Dog's Purpose Series

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About the Author:

W. BRUCE CAMERON is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of A Dog's Purpose, A Dog's Journey, A Dog's Way Home (all now major motion pictures), The Dog Master, Ellie's Story, Molly's Story, Max's Story, Shelby's Story, The Dogs of Christmas, The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man, and others. He lives in California.

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The Dog Master: A Novel of the First Dog

W. Bruce Cameron