A Dog's Life

He did not have an auspicious start in life - his lineage was questionable, his father deserted him prior to his birth, and, after bursting into this hard scrabble world, he had to fight his 12 brothers and sisters for every dollop of milk. Nonetheless, Boy, Peter Mayle's beloved canine, overcame these earthly vicissitudes to lead a very cushy life in the south of France. So delighted is Boy with the way things have turned out that he wants to tell us all about it, and he does in the rib tickling "A Dog's Life." Now, Boy is no ordinary stray pooch who wins the hearts of an affluent couple. Boy is a manipulating, crafty, sly four-footed friend who twists his master and mistress around his begging paw. Edward Koren's drawings bring this shaggy shyster to life as Boy shares his attempts to be dog-master of all he surveys, his romantic trysts, his run-in with arch enemy, Hepzibah, the house cat, and his disdain for Homo Sapiens, although they are necessary to toss him under the table tidbits. Peter Mayle is in top form, delivering a warm, witty, over-too-soon read. I highly recommend it. - Gail Cooke

When I picked this book up because, hey, I like dogs, and I had also heard from my parents that Peter Mayle was a very entertaining author, I thought that it might be something to just use as a diversion, like one would a magazine. I was very impressed! In fact, contrary to the thoughts of another reviewer on here, I think this is my favorite book by Mayle. Perhaps it is because I'm a dog person that I like it so much, but I really felt that this book was touching and funny and everything I would want in a light read. I haven't been as able to get into Mayle's other works, but I was immediately immersed in this one. On less subjective notes, Mayle's use of language is excellent and the structure of the book is very pleasing, particularly to those of us who don't mind a little anthropomorphic bits in our lives here and there. Don't fool yourself, if you are thinking this will take any extra time to read, in fact, the book just whizzes by so fast, I was certainly left wanting more when I finished. Also, if you're depressed, this book will make you smile when you don't even think you could.

Written from a dog's point of view, "BOY" tells us of his trials and tribulations as he reminisces about his life. Born to a litter of 13 pups, feeding was not always easy; sometimes the closest he got to mother's milk was sucking on his brother's ear. The management team, as he so fondly calls his owners, changes after BOY fails at hunting, not realizing he is supposed to point at the bunny in the bush not pounce on it to play. We are privy to his courting of a female half his height, which was doomed from the start, along with his love of chickens and the utilities man, the fun never ends.The scenarios are endless and each one more entertaining than the last. The book on tape is read by Simon Jones whose British accent enhances every sentence. A light, quick read that will lift your spirits and make you smile. Kelsana 3/30/01

I really can't recall ever having read something that elicited as much laughter as "A Dog's Life"! Peter Mayle is a truely gifted story-teller with a wickedly well-honed wit and sense of humour. The way he writes it, you would have thought a real dog was behind the book! Another reminder to all and sundry once again of the joys that dogs (and puppies) can bring to our otherwise (despondent) lives....or is it, as Boy puts it, all a conspiracy anyhow, seeing as to how we humans excellently serve as "convenient support systems"? Highly recommended for everyone, dog-lovers or otherwise!