I Thought You Were Dead: A Love Story

I really enjoyed this book. It's a short, easy read, but one with depth and emotion. Enough has been written about the plot, but I loved the "heart" of the story -- especially Stella, the dog. I talk to my dog all the time and only wish she could answer me back the way Stella does... Read this book; it's sweet, thoughtful and you just might recognize yourself in one of the characters.

Having known characters very much like Paul, Stella and Karen, I read this book with base motives, to see Pete Nelson's story of what happened to people or dogs like those I had known. Before. During. After. Then the book kept me awake. And awake. Until it was done. I look forward to his next. This is the type of unflinching deepening of daily life - its humor, tragedy and reveling in the overlooked wonder of the mundane - that is achingly true. What voices! What a narrative! "I Thought You Were Dead" has bravery in every page, including showing what bravery is by showing cowardice. Humor through tragedy. Love through pain. All that stuff. Divorce, impotence, alcoholism, catastrophic illness, death, failure, dogs, morons, success, love and friendship. It's like music. It hits you beyond words.

This is a novel about Paul Gustavson who can't seem to handle any situation just right. He has a dog named Stella who seems to be a big help to Paul in handling his life experiences. I enjoyed reading Paul's ups and downs and just loved Stella. It has a real good ending too. I got into it right off the start.

This is an honest, witty, beautifully written tale about a guy trying to get control of his life, and the lessons he learns from his faithful but failing, elderly dog. You'll read it in a single sitting, and be glad you did.

My first disappointment is that I could find no other audio books by the author, Pete Nelson. That said, I slid into the story, page-by-page, my interest deepening as the chapters unfolded; bringing me closer to Paul and Stella. Then I grew to appreciate the other characters presented to me through their interaction with Paul and Stella. Stella's indomitable spirit and her heartwarming relationship with Paul I found to be refreshing, touching, and naturally believable. As a human who contends life is so much more fully enriched when shared with a furry soul-mate, the conversational exchange between Paul and Stella was delightful, familiar, and credible. There was a point in the book where I felt I might not be able to finish hearing about the world that was Paul and Stella. But, I was quickly surprised by the author's gift for offering other avenues--newly opened doors; other roadways the character could take.The author did this with such commendable timing and subtle redirection that I soon found my attention and focus shifting, following Paul's questing heart and discovering, with him, what life holds for those individuals willing to risk the known and comfortable for the often scary and seemingly-threatening choices we must sometimes take if we are to survive, grow strong, and appreciate life. The narrator was engaging and able to paint, in my mind's eye, the visual rendering of each character and pair those images to their personalities with delightful clarity. I hope this author has other books in the works, and that Paul and the other charismatic individuals he introduced us to in this book will be featured in more stories. I especially hope Stella will be a part of Paul's life in future books!