Red Dog

This is bound to become a classic, like "The Snow Goose". De Berniere has captured a disappearing Australia - frontier Western Australia in the not-too distant past. Like many good novels in the last decade ("Dirt Music","Cloud Street" "The Shark Net"), it is set in Western Australia. It is a story for all ages, told in simple, unfussy narrative. It does not idealise the dog, its friends or enemies. I am suprised that it has been dismissed by some as a "children's book". I cannot imagine why. Any dog lover would be delighted by this novella. I just hope it's not made into a film. It's a narrative that can only live on the page. It can be read in a few hours, but its effect will last for years. John MacKay, Sydney Australia

Red Dog by Louis de Bernieres is an absolute gem. I have come to the conclusion that in the big picture of our existence as humans the only thing that means anything is our capacity to love and how we treat each other. We are living in a difficult time of unspeakable human cruelty and greed. This book reminds me that not all humans are horrible, some actually "get it" and that we are indeed lucky when we can share our lives with dogs and other animals. They teach goodness by example, something we humans should take more notice of. I recommend this book highly; keep a box of tissues nearby.

This book has it all - tears, laughter, romance. I fell in love with Red Dog. Even though the language is simple, and the story short, this is not just a children's book as someone suggested. Anyone that has ever had a loved pet, or been friends with a dog will enjoy this beautiful story.

Louis De Bernieres has written some marvelous literature. "Red Dog", is a wonderful true story about a dog that befriended a good portion of Australia, and has been memorialized with a bronze statue as well as other books. Faithful readers of this author will likely be disappointed if they expect another sweeping novel. This short story does not appear to have been planned, as it unfolds with crisp episodes in the remarkable life of this canine. It is extremely unusual in that the book has been illustrated with what appear to be etchings. Illustration has sadly become the domain of primarily very expensive, limited edition, small press books.This is not a child's book, perhaps for young readers in Junior High, but not for young children. This is a book about adults and how a remarkably charismatic canine changed their lives. This is not a fairly tale, it includes the realities of very trying circumstances and the people who pioneer the way in this extremely difficult environment. When it gets hot in the USA warnings suggest certain groups stay indoors. When it gets hot down under, warnings are issued for gas tanks that are prone to explode when exposed to the sun!I think it is great that an author who has established himself as an accomplished literary writer would have the courage to step well away from what has worked for him repeatedly. I was reminded of some of John Steinbeck's work that centered around animals, both his own and fictional. If John Steinbeck can make the change I believe it is safe for other accomplished authors to explore unfamiliar genres, and they do not deserve to be punished for doing so. This is especially the case when the results are so worthwhile. I was going to give this 4 stars but I stepped it up to 5. The book was punished and I wanted to even out what is a brief but entering read.

I loved this book, it was short, like Red Dog's life, it was compact and full of adventure. It described a landscape that is unknown to most people and on the whole was sympathetic to Australia and Australians - without being patronising at all - a rare thing indeed.It echoes 'The Call of the Wild' and yet is clearly of another time and place.It would make a wonderful present to someone who does not read many books, especially men who say that they do not like fiction, becuase it contains themes of love and fidelity and life long friendship that the best books explore while still being a story about a dog!It would also be wonderful read aloud to young children.