Dog Stories (Everyman's Library Pocket Classics Series)
2010
Weight: 14 oz
Method of Disposal: Recycling pieces and throwing out pieces
Another victim of Wisconsin. I suppose he decided to move in from Middle Eastern Studies. Or maybe, he just did not like this collection. It was fairly sad for a dog lover, especially a modern day dog lover, but it was also well worth the read if you can stomach the sadness. I say this because I am married to someone who will not watch a tv show or movie where the dog dies or suffers too much. She is as huge fan of www.doesthedogdie.com. So, I figured some readers out there may want to know. Sometimes the dog suffers mightily, sometimes the dog dies, sometimes it is unclear if the dog has a physical form.
It is hard to decide, but two of the top stories for me were Black Dog by Penelope Lively and "The Hermit's Story" by Rick Bass. I do not want to give anything away so I guess I better not go any further but, even if you do not read the rest of the collection, I would read those.
Oh, and winner for first line! Mark Twain, of course.
"My father was a St Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian."
Also, Best Insult, "Her husband did not look at her. Her face annoyed him, but he did not know why. She could be good-looking but there were times when she was not. Her face was like a series of photographs, some of which ought to have been thrown away."
"My Lord You" James Salter
